Revenue Increased 8 Percent To $20.5 Billion Reflecting Higher Commercial Deliveries

Boeing reported first-quarter revenue increased 8 percent to $20.5 billion on higher commercial volume. Core earnings per share (non-GAAP or Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) increased 14 percent to $1.76 when excluding a benefit of $0.19 per share for the 2012 research and development tax credit recorded in the first quarter of 2013. First-quarter 2014 core operating earnings (non-GAAP) increased 12 percent to $2.1 billion and core operating margin (non-GAAP) increased to 10.2 percent reflecting continued strong operating performance. GAAP earnings from operations included previously announced non-cash charges totaling $334 million ($0.29 per share) for retirement plan changes.

Core earnings per share guidance for 2014 increased to between $7.15 and $7.35, from $7.00 to $7.20, to reflect the benefit of a tax settlement to be recognized in the second quarter of 2014. GAAP earnings per share guidance for 2014 is reaffirmed at between $6.10 to $6.30 as the tax settlement benefit was offset by the retirement plan charges. GAAP pension expense guidance for 2014 is now at approximately $3.2 billion, up from $3.1 billion, to reflect the retirement plan charges. The company reaffirmed its 2014 revenue, operating cash flow and deliveries guidance.

"Disciplined execution across our production and development programs produced strong first quarter results," said Boeing Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jim McNerney (pictured). "We measurably increased revenue, core operating earnings and cash flow, and expanded core operating margins. This financial and operational strength enabled the return of more than $3 billion to shareholders in the quarter through share repurchase and an increased dividend, even as we continued to invest in our future."

"Our outlook for the full year remains positive on the strength of demand for our fuel-efficient new commercial airplanes, our solid position in global defense, space and security markets, and our enterprise focus on meeting customer commitments, improving productivity and profitably delivering the growth in our sizable backlog," McNerney said.

FMI: www.boeing.com