Stock Market Update

[BRIEFING.COM] The major averages trade in slightly negative territory at midday. 

Boeing (BA 221.02, +3.77, +1.74%) is moving higher today after being awarded an $8.57 billion Air Force contract for the F-15 Israel Program, along with a separate $4.2 billion modification supporting E-4B logistics services. These awards help reinforce defense as an area of strength for BA.

Today's move highlights what these awards reinforce: BA's defense business continues to benefit from a supportive demand backdrop and remains a key player in U.S. defense exports, with the F-15IA win underscoring continued international demand for advanced fighter capabilities, consistent with management's view that demand is being supported by the current global threat environment. Defense is therefore a relative bright spot and steady contract flow helps bolster the broader recovery narrative as BA works through commercial execution and longer-cycle program risks (including the 777X overhang).