• GAAP EPS of $2.89 and core EPS (non-GAAP)* of $2.55 on solid execution across the company
• Strong operating cash flow of $5.0 billion; repurchased 13.6 million shares for $2.5 billion
• Revenue of $22.7 billion reflecting 226 commercial and defense aircraft deliveries and services
• Backlog grew to $482 billion, including $27 billion of net orders during the quarter
• Increased guidance for GAAP EPS $0.75 and core EPS (non-GAAP)* $0.60 on improved performance and tax
• Raised operating cash flow guidance by $1.5 billion and lowered capital expenditures guidance by $300 million

The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] reported strong earnings and operating cash flow in the second quarter of 2017, driven by improved operating performance (Table 1). Second-quarter GAAP earnings per share increased to $2.89 and core earnings per share (non-GAAP)* increased to $2.55. Revenue was $22.7 billion, reflecting planned production rates and timing of commercial and defense aircraft deliveries.

For the full year, GAAP earnings per share guidance increased to between $11.10 and $11.30 from $10.35 and $10.55 and core earnings per share (non-GAAP)* guidance increased to between $9.80 and $10.00 from $9.20 and $9.40, primarily driven by improved performance across the company and a lower-than-expected tax rate. Operating cash flow guidance increased by $1.5 billion to $12.25 billion on solid execution and a cash tax benefit from accelerating pension funding in the third quarter of 2017. Additionally, capital expenditures guidance decreased by $300 million to $2.0 billion.

"Our teams are delivering better performance in every segment of the business, which is reflected in our strong second-quarter results and improved 2017 outlook," said Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Dennis Muilenburg. "Our robust cash flow enabled us to return more value to shareholders, invest in future growth and in our people, including a plan to accelerate pension funding that also reduces risk and cyclicality in our business."

"In the second quarter, we added to our large and diverse order backlog with key wins in commercial airplanes, defense, space and services, while achieving important milestones such as delivering the first 737 MAX airplane, flying the second production-ready T-X trainer aircraft, and conducting a successful Ground-based Midcourse Defense intercept test."

"As we look to the second half of the year, our teams are focused on accelerating productivity, quality and safety improvements across the company, while completing key development efforts and delivering better capabilities and economics to our customers."

Operating cash flow in the quarter of $5.0 billion was driven by strong operating performance and favorable timing of receipts and expenditures (Table 2). During the quarter, the company repurchased 13.6 million shares for $2.5 billion, leaving $9.0 billion remaining under the current repurchase authorization. The company also paid $0.9 billion in dividends in the quarter, reflecting a 30 percent increase in dividends per share compared to the same period of the prior year.

Cash and investments in marketable securities totaled $10.3 billion, up from $9.2 billion at the beginning of the quarter (Table 3). Debt was $10.8 billion, unchanged from the beginning of the quarter.

Total company backlog at quarter-end was $482 billion, up from $480 billion at the beginning of the quarter, and included net orders for the quarter of $27 billion.

Segment Results

Commercial Airplanes

Commercial Airplanes second-quarter revenue was $15.7 billion on planned production rates and timing of deliveries (Table 4). Second-quarter operating margin was 10.0 percent, reflecting solid execution.

During the quarter, Commercial Airplanes delivered the first 737 MAX 8 aircraft and announced the launch of the 737 MAX 10. Demand continues to be healthy with 571 incremental orders and commitments announced at the Paris Air Show, including 56 for widebody aircraft and 361 for the launch of the 737 MAX 10. Also at the Paris Air Show, a number of commercial service agreements were announced that provide further growth opportunity for Boeing Global Services.

Commercial Airplanes booked 183 net orders during the quarter. Backlog remains robust with more than 5,700 airplanes valued at $424 billion.

Defense, Space & Security

Defense, Space & Security second-quarter revenue was $6.9 billion (Table 5). Second-quarter operating margin increased to 12.9 percent, reflecting increased productivity in all three segments.

Boeing Military Aircraft (BMA) second-quarter revenue was $2.9 billion, reflecting lower planned C-17 deliveries, and operating margin increased to 13.2 percent on improved performance. During the quarter, BMA was awarded a contract for the remanufacture of 38 AH-64E Apache helicopters for the United Kingdom, and the second production-ready T-X aircraft completed first flight.

Network & Space Systems (N&SS) second-quarter revenue was $1.7 billion, reflecting timing of satellite volume. Operating margin increased to 9.1 percent reflecting improved performance. During the quarter, N&SS was awarded a contract from the Missile Defense Agency for Redesigned Kill Vehicle Development.

Global Services & Support (GS&S) second-quarter revenue was $2.3 billion, reflecting timing of contracts. Operating margin increased to 15.4 percent reflecting strong performance. During the quarter, GS&S was awarded a contract from the Defense Logistics Agency to support the F-15 fleet, which will be carried out by Boeing Global Services.

Backlog at Defense, Space & Security was $58 billion, of which 37 percent represents orders from international customers.

Additional Financial Information

At quarter-end, Boeing Capital's net portfolio balance was $3.9 billion. Total pension expense for the second quarter was $100 million, down from $463 million in the same period of the prior year. Other unallocated items and eliminations earnings decreased primarily due to timing of expense allocations. The effective tax rate for the second quarter was 28.7 percent reflecting higher-than-expected tax benefits related to share-based compensation.

Accelerated Pension Funding

In addition to the $500 million pension contribution originally planned for 2017, the company will accelerate approximately four years of pension funding by making a discretionary contribution of $3.5 billion of Boeing common shares in the third quarter of this year. Subsequently, the company expects to utilize its strong cash position and increase its 2017 planned share repurchases by $3.5 billion to a total of approximately $10 billion for the full year. It is expected that this contribution will nearly eliminate all future mandatory pension funding through 2021 based on existing assumptions for asset returns and discount rates. "Over the past several years, we have taken meaningful actions to retire risk and reduce cyclicality, and today's actions are another step forward," said Greg Smith, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Enterprise Performance & Strategy.

The company expects approximately $700 million cash tax savings from the accelerated pension funding in 2017, which is reflected in the updated cash flow guidance. Boeing continues to anticipate cash flows to grow annually through the end of the decade and remains committed to returning free cash flow to shareholders.

Outlook

The company's 2017 updated guidance (Table 7) reflects the impact of improved performance across the company and a lower-than-expected tax rate.