• Boeing shares recorded their largest single-day gain since July, jumping as much as 4.7%.
  • The surge was fueled by a new aircraft order from Uzbekistan Airways and growing confidence in a pending deal with China.
  • The potential China order, seen as a positive signal for U.S.-China trade relations, is expected to support tens of thousands of U.S. jobs.

A significant boost

Boeing Co. shares surged as much as 4.7% in intraday trading Thursday, marking the aerospace giant's most significant single-day percentage gain since July. The jump was propelled by a confirmed major aircraft order from Uzbekistan Airways and increased market optimism surrounding an imminent, large-scale deal with Chinese airlines.

The rally, which saw the stock close 2% higher, adds to a year-to-date gain of approximately 22% as of late September 2025. The positive momentum comes as Boeing continues its operational recovery, with its most recent quarterly report showing a 34.9% year-over-year revenue increase to $22.75 billion, despite the company remaining unprofitable.

International orders drive momentum

The immediate catalyst was the announcement from Uzbekistan Airways, a key carrier in Central Asia. While the specific number of aircraft was not disclosed, people familiar with the matter described the order as substantial for the airline's fleet modernization plans. In a statement, Boeing said the order alone is projected to support nearly 35,000 U.S. jobs, underscoring the company's broad economic impact on domestic manufacturing.

More significantly, market sentiment was lifted by signals that a long-anticipated deal with China is nearing finalization. U.S. officials, including the ambassador to China, have recently indicated that an agreement for a significant number of jetliners is important for both governments. This potential deal is viewed by analysts as a key lever that could help ease ongoing U.S.-China trade tensions. Efforts to re-enter the Chinese market have stalled repeatedly in recent years, making the current progress a notable development.

A gradual ascent

Despite the day's sharp rise, analysts maintain a cautious but improving outlook. Consensus estimates for the full fiscal year project a significant improvement in earnings, though still negative at -$2.33 per share, with revenue expected to grow 28.8% to $85.66 billion. The primary challenges remain Boeing's ability to ramp up production of its 737 Max model and navigate persistent supply chain bottlenecks.

The company's fortunes are tightly linked to the global recovery in air travel demand. The dual announcements from Uzbekistan and the prospects in China suggest that international carriers are committing capital to expand their fleets, a strong vote of confidence in the longevity of the travel rebound. A spokesperson for Boeing declined to comment beyond the public announcement regarding Uzbekistan Airways. Attempts to reach officials familiar with the China negotiations were not immediately successful.

The stock's performance stands in contrast to recent months, where it had lagged behind the broader aerospace sector. While analysts project only modest stock gains through the remainder of 2025, the combination of new orders and a clearer path forward with China provides a more solid foundation for the company's ongoing recovery.