New plane ready for test flights

Article Excerpt

THE BOEING CO. $44 (New York symbol BA; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 726.2 million; Market cap: $32 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.5; WSSF Rating: Above Average) has finished initial testing of the new Rolls Royce engine that will power its 787 Dreamliner jet. The plane should begin test flights before the end of June. Boeing plans to start deliveries in the first quarter of next year. Production delays caused customers to cancel 32 orders for the 787 in the first quarter, but Boeing still has 886 orders with a value of $133 billion. As well, the new plane is 20% more fuel efficient than current models. This should appeal to cost-conscious airlines. Boeing is a buy. buy…