Boeing Cleans Its Room: A Flight Path to Redemption?

Order from Chaos: Bernstein's Optimistic Take

Well folks it seems someone at Bernstein has decided to clean their room and in doing so they've stumbled upon something interesting in the Boeing saga. Analyst Douglas Harned bless his soul has upgraded Boeing from 'market perform' to 'outperform.' It's like telling a perpetually messy teenager that yes they might actually amount to something. He projects a target price of $218 a potential 23% climb from its recent slumber. One has to ask is this genuine optimism or just a well placed bet on a company trying to pull itself together? 'Boeing is now making the progress it needed,' Harned claims. But let's not forget progress like truth is a complicated thing isn't it?

The 737 Max and the Problem of Existential Dread

Let's not sugarcoat it: Boeing has had a rough go of it. We're talking about door plugs flying off mid flight – not exactly the kind of thing that inspires confidence is it? And let’s not forget those 737 Max crashes that shook the world. One might argue that such events trigger a sort of existential dread not just for passengers but for the entire company. Harned acknowledges the 'continued scrutiny' but bravely suggests that Boeing is on track to emerge 'stronger overall.' It’s as if he's saying 'Yes the house is on fire but look at the nice crispy marshmallows!' Can Boeing confront its shadow and integrate it or will it be doomed to repeat the same mistakes?

Navigating the Supply Chain Serpent

Ah supply chains! Those tangled serpentine beasts that can strangle even the best laid plans. Harned points out that Boeing needs to navigate these 'headwinds.' It's like telling someone to find the light at the end of a very dark very long tunnel filled with paperwork and bureaucratic red tape. But here's the thing: Chaos is inherent in the system. The question is can Boeing impose enough order to keep the planes in the air and the shareholders happy? Or will they be forever wrestling with the dragon of logistical nightmares? A company that cannot master its supply chain is as good as dead.

Momentum: The Elusive Beast

Harned astutely observes that Boeing is a 'stock that has traded on momentum.' It's like watching a toddler on a sugar rush – once they get going there's no stopping them… until they crash. He warns that if you 'wait you can miss it.' This is the siren song of the market isn't it? The fear of missing out (FOMO) driving decisions. But remember folks a fool and his money are soon parted. And sometimes the best investment is a well organized sock drawer.

The Ghost of 2023

He mentions the doubling of share prices in 2023 reaching $260 before the door plug incident. It's a stark reminder of how quickly things can change. One minute you're soaring the next you're wondering if you should've just stayed in bed. This is a good reminder to not get cocky about your predictions otherwise reality is going to show up to remind you that life can be nasty brutish and short. Perhaps Boeing should be focusing less on market trends and more on manufacturing quality. But who am I to say? I'm just a humble clinical psychologist telling people to clean their damn rooms.

CNBC Pro LIVE: Clean Your Portfolio!

And finally a shameless plug for CNBC Pro LIVE at the New York Stock Exchange. Apparently even the financial gurus need a bit of guidance. It's like herding cats only with spreadsheets and quarterly reports. So if you're feeling lost in the turbulent waters of the market maybe cleaning your portfolio is the answer. Or you know just start by making your bed. It's a start.