Boeing Company BA shares are trading lower on Wednesday following the company's fourth-quarter earnings report, which showed a drop in performance.

What To Know: Boeing reported an adjusted operating loss of $4.042 billion, a contrast to the $90 million in adjusted operating earnings from the same quarter last year. Adjusted loss per share widened to $5.90, missing the consensus estimate of a $2.44 loss and significantly worsening from the 47 cents loss in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Despite the results, analysts see potential for a recovery in 2025:
• Goldman Sachs analyst Noah Poponak reiterated a Buy rating on the stock and raised the price target to $213 from $200, citing expectations that Boeing can reach industry-average margins over time.

• BofA Securities analyst Ronald J. Epstein maintained a Neutral rating but increased the price target to $185 from $170.

• RBC Capital Markets analyst Ken Herbert reaffirmed an Outperform rating with a $200 price target.

Goldman Sachs’ Poponak pointed to ongoing challenges in Boeing's defense business but highlighted the potential for the company to improve as supply chain constraints ease. Boeing is aiming to reach or exceed production of 38 737-MAX aircraft per month by late 2025, supported by progress at Spirit AeroSystems, supplier recoveries following labor negotiations and an agreement with the FAA for production rate increases.

The 787 program has also stabilized, with output at five units per month and plans to increase to seven per month as supply chain conditions improve.

BA Price Action: Boeing shares closed Wednesday down 2.32% at $173.66 at publication, according to Benzinga Pro.

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