Boeing is the best-performing Dow stock over the last ten years. Since March 1, 2009, shares have soared 1,307%.

What propelled the aerospace giant into the stratosphere?

Follow the firm's free-cash flow and you'll find your answer.

Boeing's Cash Flow Surge  

Boeing is a modern manufacturing marvel.

In 2018, top-line sales were $101 billion. 60% was derived from the commercial jet aircraft division, with most of the remainder coming from defense, space and security work.

Boeing was on my Dobermans of the Dow list in 2018. The stock has been a steady fixture, making the screen in 5 out of the last 7 years.

To qualify as a "Doberman," firms must rank highly on two criteria: Return on equity (ROE) and free cash flow yield.

Surging cash flow is the main reason Boeing leads the Dow pack. Boeing shares returned 25% annually from 2011 - 2018. If you think that means the shares must be overvalued by now, think again. Free-cash flow rose 33% per year over the same period.

In other words, Boeing's stock followed the fundamentals.

Boeing currently sports a free cash flow yield of 7.3%. Wall Street projects the company to keep generating more cash over the next two years, estimating free cash flow will rise to $22.07 billion (+11.9% annual growth).

Boeing free cash flow by year.  Source: Bloomberg.

Comparing Boeing's yield profile to something like investment grade bonds, which yield around 4% without any prospect for growth, it's easy to understand why investors are still bidding up Boeing shares in 2019 (+37% year-to-date).

Boeing's Investment Cycles 

To better understand the story behind the numbers, investors should know that revolutionary products—like the 787 or air-taxi prototype shown below—don’t just come from a few people sketching ideas on notepads. It takes an army of engineering talent and premier technology to bring the future into the present.

 

 

Boeing invests a lot into R&D. Far more than most companies.

The intensity of the company's investment cycles vary, though. For instance, after the 777's launch in the mid-1990s, management focused on harvesting the existing portfolio. For a decade, there were no major aircraft development programs.

The strategy shifted when the 787 program launched in 2004. The jetliner was built with a unique blend of composites and included an innovative electrical system. It took eight years and approximately $32 billion to develop. 

In the last five years, management has ratcheted down the R&D budget, focusing more on incremental innovation. Newer models, like the 737 MAX, are derivatives of existing aircraft.

In 2019, Boeing is expected to increase 737 production rates from 5 to 57 per  month, which should add close to $3 billion in annual revenue at the full run rate.

With a mature production process now installed across its major products, Boeing is in a position to flex operating leverage and investors are benefiting from a strong cash conversion cycle.

As investment needs have receded, Boeing has been returning more cash to shareholders.

• In 2015, the company bought back 47 million shares for $6.8 billion and paid out $2.5 billion in dividends.

• In 2016, $7 billion was spent on stock repurchases and the dividend was raised by 30%.

• In 2017, $9.2 billion was spent on stock repurchases and the dividend was again raised by 30%.

• In 2018, $9 billion was spent on stock repurchases and the dividend was raised by 20%.

Net effect: Boeing's dividends-per-share steadily drift higher while the share count steadily drifts lower (enhancing per share earnings yield to remaining owners).

Boeing dividends per share and shares outstanding.  Source: Bloomberg.

Going forward, Boeing will likely continue to distribute a lot of cash back to its shareholders.

Yet the company must also keep investing in order to stay ahead of the competition. In 2019, Boeing may launch a new midsize aircraft likely to have a development cost exceeding $18 billion.

How can we apply lessons from Boeing to how we're investing today?

There are two key takeaways for investors.

First, be on the lookout for companies or industries that may be turning the corner on cash conversion related to past investments.

Second, beware of the limitations of investing purely based on quantitative screens.

I still own Boeing, even though the stock did not qualify for this year's Dobermans of the Dow. Reason: Boeing has spent over $100 billion cumulatively on designing aircraft, which according to GAAP accounting rules, doesn't count as an asset. This artificially suppresses the shareholder equity figure.

Adjusting for that accounting nuance, Boeing remains attractive even at present heights.

 

Also published by Forbes. Reprinted with permission. 

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