Boeing sinks to loss on $4.5-billion charge due to 787 delivery delay

Boeing said on Wednesday it incurred $4.5 billion charges in the fourth quarter on its sidelined 787 program, obscuring the US planemaker's long-awaited return to positive cash flow fueled by rebounding 737 MAX deliveries.

The company's shares fell 0.3% in premarket trading as the planemaker sank to a loss after two quarters of profits because of the charge.

The mixed quarterly results underscore the challenges Boeing faces as it seeks to rebound from the coronavirus pandemic and 737 MAX safety crises, while navigating industrial and regulatory currents on its bigger 787 and 777X flagship.

Reuters reported last week that deliveries of the 787