Boeing Vs. Airbus: European Giant Eyes Market Share Amid BA’s Disastrous Year

 | Mar 20, 2024 09:52

  • The Boeing-Airbus rivalry extends beyond business into diplomatic realms, sparked by French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire's public preference for Airbus due to safety concerns.
  • Despite Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury's assurances, Le Maire's stance underscores ongoing unease with Boeing.
  • As investors weigh the implications, data from InvestingPro suggests Airbus has capitalized on Boeing's challenges, but analysts foresee potential growth for Boeing if it resolves safety issues.
  • In 2024, invest like the big funds from the comfort of your home with our AI-powered ProPicks stock selection tool.
  • The rivalry between Boeing (NYSE:BA) and Airbus Group (OTC:EADSF) (EPA:AIR) isn't just about business - it's also taking on diplomatic dimensions.

    The spark was ignited by French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire. During a conference in Berlin, he made it clear that he and his family prefer flying Airbus over Boeing saying 'they prioritize safety.'

    The minister's statement was rooted in concerns about Boeing's most recent debacles, including incidents like faulty doors this year and the tragic crashes of two 737 Max planes in 2018 and 2019, which claimed 346 lives.

    But Boeing's troubles aren't necessarily beneficial for Airbus either. CEO Guillaume Faury intervened to emphasize that technical issues affecting Boeing hurt the entire aerospace industry's reputation, stressing that safety and quality are paramount.

    Despite Faury's reassurance, Le Maire remains steadfast in his preference for Airbus, especially given the French government's significant stake in the company.

    This backdrop raises investors a question: Are Airbus shares now a safer bet for investors than Boeing shares? Let's analyze both stocks using data from InvestingPro to find out.

    Take advantage of a special discount on InvestingPro+ . Find more details at the bottom of this article.

    h2 Boeing Vs. Airbus: Which Stock Is the Better Bet?/h2

    Five years ago, Boeing faced its biggest scandal ever, which drastically affected its standing in the market. Meanwhile, its European rival, Airbus, experienced a surge in its stock value.

    Comparing data from the past five years, on March 23, 2019, shortly after the second plane crash involving Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, Boeing's stock was priced at $353.69 per share, while Airbus shares were at $124.10 each.

    Since then, Boeing's stock has almost halved in value, dropping to $181 per share as of Monday, March 19. In contrast, Airbus shares have surged by nearly 50%, reaching a substantial parity with Boeing at $182 per share.

    Five years ago, there was a stark contrast between the two companies, but today, Airbus has not only closed the gap but surpassed Boeing, with a market capitalization of $142 billion compared to Boeing's $110 billion.

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    Airbus's stock is now more stable than Boeing's, with recent events having a significantly negative impact on Boeing's financial health.