Boeing

The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] announced today that it will recognize, on a pre-tax basis, certain non-cash charges that will reduce operating earnings approximately $250 million. The expected after-tax impact to net earnings is approximately $158 million, or $0.20 per share for the quarter ending September 30, 2002. Boeing will report its full results for the quarter on October 16, 2002.

Boeing and its financing subsidiary, Boeing Capital Corporation (BCC), have completed their quarterly assessment of BCC's financing and investment assets. BCC's portfolio of financing assets at the end of the third quarter totaled $11.5 billion, of which $8.8 billion was related to Boeing products and services, primarily commercial aircraft. The continuing effects of the current airline industry downturn have caused significant reductions in commercial aircraft values. Older and/or out-of-production aircraft models have experienced the most significant declines in value, while newer aircraft models have seen more moderate declines. At the same time, the credit ratings of many airlines, particularly in the United States, have continued to deteriorate despite initiatives to restore long-term profitability.

Boeing and BCC anticipated that airline traffic and profitability would gradually, but steadily, recover following Sept. 11, 2001. However, recent announcements by the major domestic airlines and credit rating agencies indicate that this recovery will not be as rapid as anticipated. The charges recognized in the third quarter reflect the continued pressure on airline credit ratings as well as collateral valuations, particularly for older and/or out-of-production aircraft types in the BCC financing portfolio.

To record these non-cash charges, third quarter BCC segment operating earnings will be reduced by approximately $149 million. Operating earnings in Boeing's "Other" segment will be reduced approximately $101 million for the quarter due to certain guarantees the parent has provided to BCC.

The financial statements of Boeing and BCC will reflect the adjustments described below for the quarter ending September 30, 2002:

1) Increased valuation allowance totaling $110 million.

Boeing will record a pre-tax expense of approximately $110 million to increase the valuation allowance and strengthen reserves for BCC's receivables. BCC will record $75 million of this increase. The remaining $35 million will be recorded in the "Other" segment of Boeing due to parent guarantees that mitigate BCC's exposure.

Each quarter BCC reviews customer credit ratings, published historical credit default rates and third-party aircraft valuations as a basis to validate the reasonableness of its valuation allowance. As noted, airline credit ratings have deteriorated. Published sources and recent market transactions also indicate that valuations for a number of aircraft types used as collateral continue to remain depressed.

Although no significant airline-related receivable write-offs were recorded during the third quarter, nor have airline delinquency rates in the BCC portfolio substantially deteriorated, Boeing and BCC determined that an increase in the valuation allowance for BCC's portfolio of receivables is warranted in these circumstances. As a result of this adjustment, the allowance recorded by BCC as of September 30 will equal approximately 3.1% of the applicable BCC receivables, up from 2.1% at June 30, 2002.

2) Revaluation of certain investments in equipment trust certificates securitized by aircraft on lease to United Airlines: $79 million

As disclosed at the end of the second quarter, United Airlines accounts for approximately $1.3 billion, or nearly 12 percent, of the total BCC portfolio. Most of BCC's United portfolio consists of financings to support recent deliveries of late-model 777 aircraft.

Among BCC's other portfolio holdings related to United is a long-held investment in equipment trust certificates totaling approximately $79 million. This investment, securitized by aircraft on lease to United Airlines and classified as a held-to-maturity debt investment, has declined in value for a period that is now determined to be other than temporary. As a result, the investment is being written down to its estimated current fair value.

This write-down is also based on the decline in credit ratings of United Airlines, the long-term maturity of the investment and the decline in the underlying aircraft collateral valuations. The ultimate realization of this investment will depend upon United Airlines continuing to meet its related contractual obligations. United remains current on all of its payment obligations to BCC. The total pre-tax expense to be recorded in the third quarter is approximately $79 million, of which $13 million will be recorded by BCC. The remaining $66 million will be recorded in Boeing's "Other" segment due to parent guarantees that mitigate BCC's exposure.

3) Revaluation of equipment held for lease in a joint venture and other adjustments totaling $61 million

Boeing Capital Corporation holds an investment in a joint venture that was established to lease and eventually convert 24 Boeing 727 passenger aircraft to full cargo configuration. The current value of these 727s, which average over 20 years old, is based upon BCC's estimate of future cash flows they are likely to generate. As a result of this estimate, considering the age of the aircraft and current market conditions, BCC will recognize an impairment to the investment in this joint venture, resulting in a pre-tax charge of $48 million for the quarter. The BCC portfolio does not include any Boeing 727 aircraft other than those held through this joint venture. BCC has also identified additional pre-tax charges totaling $13 million primarily attributable to valuations of certain regional turboprops and other assets in its portfolio. Both of these charges will be recorded at BCC.

The table below summarizes the third quarter pre-tax charges and adjustments discussed above:

C1933