Boeing Co. experienced a volatile start to 2026, with its shares initially surging 16% in the first three weeks of the year. This early optimism was fueled by investor confidence in CEO Kelly Ortberg’s efforts to revive the struggling aerospace giant. However, the enthusiasm quickly dissipated as the company faced a series of macroeconomic challenges and internal issues.
The stock has since plummeted 26% from its late-January peak, trading at less than half of its 2019 record high. Boeing’s performance has also lagged behind its main competitor, Airbus SE, and other manufacturing leaders like General Electric Co. The downturn underscores the difficulties the company continues to face despite leadership changes.