Boeing Co (NYSE:BA) was trading lower in premarket Thursday, opening at $179.76 per share.
The air carrier has agreed to finalize a guilty plea to a criminal fraud conspiracy charge and pay at least $243.6 million for breaching a 2021 agreement with the U.S. Justice Department.
Under the plea agreement, Boeing will invest at least $455 million over three years to enhance safety and compliance programs, a 75% increase from its previous plans.
An independent monitor will oversee Boeing's compliance, with annual progress reports and a three-year probation period that could extend if terms are not met.
The plane maker acknowledged allowing potentially risky work at its factories and failing to ensure complete and accurate airplane record keeping.
This admission came in response to the Justice Department's accusation that Boeing violated its deferred prosecution agreement from 2021,
As part of the plea deal, Boeing will pay the maximum fine of $487.2 million, with a recommendation to credit its previous $243.6 million payment.
On July 7, Boeing agreed in principle to plead guilty to conspiring to defraud the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) by knowingly making false statements about key software for the 737 MAX.
The Justice Department highlighted ongoing safety and quality issues, including a January incident with an Alaska Air Group Inc (NYSE:ALK) 737 MAX that revealed continuing concerns. Boeing also failed to ensure proper documentation and accurate completion of work during airplane manufacturing.
In April, Boeing disclosed false stamping by employees at its South Carolina 787 plant, which is under FAA investigation. Additionally, out-of-sequence work prioritized by senior executives increased the risk of manufacturing defects.
Families of the 737 MAX crash victims have one week to file objections before Judge Reed O'Connor, who will decide on the deal and potential restitution. Boeing's board must meet with the relatives within four months of sentencing.
Boeing stock has lost more than 15% in the last 12 months. Investors can gain exposure to the stock via IShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (BATS:ITA) and Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF (NYSE:PPA).
Price Action: BA shares are trading higher by 0.18% at $180.42 at last check Thursday.
波音公司(纽约证券交易所代码:BA)周四盘前下跌,开盘价为每股179.76美元。
该航空公司已同意完成对一项刑事欺诈阴谋指控的认罪,并因违反2021年与美国司法部达成的协议而支付至少2.436亿美元。
根据认罪协议,波音将在三年内投资至少4.55亿美元,以加强安全和合规计划,比之前的计划增长75%。
独立监督机构将监督波音的合规情况,提供年度进展报告和三年试用期,如果不满足条款,试用期可能会延长。
这家飞机制造商承认允许在其工厂进行潜在的危险工作,并且未能确保完整和准确地保存飞机记录。
这一承认是对司法部指控波音自2021年起违反其延期起诉协议的回应,
作为认罪协议的一部分,波音将支付最高4.872亿美元的罚款,并建议记入其先前的2.436亿美元款项。
7月7日,波音公司原则上同意对串谋欺诈美国联邦航空管理局(FAA)认罪,蓄意对737 MAX的关键软件作出虚假陈述。
司法部强调了持续存在的安全和质量问题,包括1月份与阿拉斯加航空集团公司(纽约证券交易所代码:ALK)737 MAX发生的事件,该事件显示出持续的担忧。波音在飞机制造过程中也未能确保提供适当的文件和准确完成工作。
4月,波音披露了其南卡罗来纳州787工厂员工的虚假盖章,该工厂正在接受美国联邦航空局的调查。此外,高级管理人员优先考虑的不顺序工作增加了制造缺陷的风险。
737 MAX坠机事故受害者的家属有一周的时间向里德·奥康纳法官提出异议,里德·奥康纳将就协议和可能的赔偿作出决定。波音董事会必须在宣判后的四个月内与亲属会面。
在过去的12个月中,波音的股票下跌了15%以上。投资者可以通过iShares美国航空航天与国防ETF(BATS: ITA)和景顺航空航天与国防ETF(纽约证券交易所代码:PPA)获得股票敞口。
价格走势:周四最后一次检查时,英国航空股价上涨0.18%,至180.42美元。