On this episode of the Business Podcast, sponsored by Bell, our guests are “Rocket Ron” Epstein, PhD, of Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Richard Aboulafia of AeroDynamic Advisory and Sash Tusa of Agency Partners.
Topics:
— Analysis of the biggest sustained drop on world markets since 2008 and how aerospace and defense equities fared
— Disconnect between stately pace of US and European defense spending in wake of Russia’s war on Ukraine and investor expectations of rapid budget increases
— Defense industrial implications of Finland’s decision to join NATO, with Sweden expected to follow soon, and Britain’s security agreements with Helsinki and Stockholm
— Security agreement between Japan and UK and whether Japan and Saudi Arabia might be the next partners in the British-led Tempest next-generation fighter development program and what expanded membership means for other Italy and Sweden that are already part of the effort
— Investors punish Boeing stock over company’s debt loading and whether new management needed in wake of program missteps
— Speculation that Boeing might end troubled development of 777X, a view the firm has dismissed
— Reuters report that Federal Aviation Administration has concerns with Boeing’s proposed fixes to 787 jetliner, production of which has been suspended over manufacturing concerns
— Comac’s 919 regional airliners moves toward service
— Update on US Army Aviation’s approach to modernization that will include Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft program that will be downselected in September as well as sustained role for UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters
