Morgan Stanley cuts Boeing stock target from $250 to $225, keeps Buy rating

Morgan Stanley cut its Boeing stock target from $250 to $225 on October 16, 2026, while keeping its “Buy” rating. The 10% reduction came as analyst Kristine Liwag said demand remained intact across commercial aerospace and defense, despite softer sentiment.

Key takeaways

• Morgan Stanley reduced its target without changing its Buy recommendation.
• RBC Capital and Bernstein also lowered their Boeing forecasts.
• Boeing’s third-quarter results are scheduled for October 27, 2026.

Morgan Stanley lowers its Boeing stock target

Liwag remained positive on aerospace and defense heading into third-quarter earnings, even as she lowered her Boeing forecast. Her assessment distinguished softer sentiment from demand, which she said continued to hold up in both markets.

A day before the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA) labor vote on October 1, Morgan Stanley had already restated its $250 target. The October 16 adjustment replaced that forecast with a $225 target.

Boeing shares trail their earlier levels

Boeing shares stood at $191 at publication time, down nearly 6% over the month and 16% year-to-date. The stock trades on the NYSE under the ticker BA.

The target revision precedes Boeing’s third-quarter earnings report, scheduled for October 27, 2026.

RBC and Bernstein cut targets as Barclays starts coverage

RBC Capital and Bernstein also reduced their Boeing price targets, citing defense-budget and operational concerns, respectively. Barclays analyst Anthony Valentini began coverage with a higher forecast than the other targets cited.

RBC Capital moved its target from $265 to $235, pointing to uncertainty surrounding the defense budget.

Bernstein lowered its forecast from $298 to $278 on October 12, citing continuing labor, certification and production issues.

Barclays’ Boeing stock target was $300 when Valentini initiated coverage, compared with Morgan Stanley’s revised $225 forecast.

US Air Force selects Boeing for F-47 development

The US Air Force selected Boeing to develop the F-47, a next-generation fighter. The selection adds a defense-development program to the developments surrounding the company’s analyst assessments.

The F-47 is intended to succeed the F-22 Raptor.

Article produced with the assistance of artificial intelligence and reviewed by the editorial team.