Boeing and Joby Aviation represent contrasting investment opportunities in aviation. Boeing, a commercial jet and defence systems manufacturer serving over 150 countries, reported FY 2025 revenue of approximately $89.5 billion, up 34.5% year-over-year, with net income of roughly $2.2 billion. However, the company carries a debt-to-equity ratio of nearly 10x and recorded negative free cash flow of approximately $1.9 billion. Joby Aviation is developing an all-electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing aircraft for aerial ridesharing, with partnerships including Delta Air Lines and Toyota. FY 2025 revenue reached nearly $53.4 million, up dramatically from roughly $136,000 in 2024, though the company reported a net loss of approximately $930 million. The choice depends on investor risk tolerance: Boeing offers an established but leveraged manufacturer; Joby presents a high-growth startup still commercialising its core product.

Boeing secured a sole-source F-15 contract with a $131 billion ceiling, but only $343,740 was obligated at signing. The indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract runs through 2037 and covers aircraft production, modernisation, and sustainment for US forces and overseas customers including Israel, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea. The contract establishes an exclusive framework for future task orders rather than guaranteed revenue. Each order must be negotiated, funded, and delivered separately. Boeing's defence segment posted a $15 million operating loss in Q2 2026 despite 13% revenue growth, affected by a $280 million VC-25B programme charge. The company carries $45.9 billion in debt and projects just 2.5% operating margins for its defence business, making profitability dependent on execution of individual orders.

Boeing's engineers and technical workers have rejected a four-year contract offer, with the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace authorising a potential strike when the current agreement expires in October. The professional unit rejected the offer by 64%, whilst the technical unit voted it down by 72%. Strike authorisation passed by wider margins of 88% and 90% respectively. SPEEA represents about 17,000 workers at Boeing. The rejected contract included cumulative wage increases reaching roughly 32% over four years, but featured inflation-linked raises capped at 3%. With Seattle-area inflation at 4.5%, many workers cited concerns about keeping pace with rising costs. Boeing has activated a strike contingency plan and redirected investment funds originally designated for its SPEEA workforce. The company reported a second-quarter net loss of $428 million in July.