On March 25, 2004, Standard&Poor's Ratings Services assigned its preliminary 'A' rating to unsecured debt securities and preliminary 'A-' rating to subordinated debt securities listed in Boeing Co.'s recently filed $1 billion SEC Rule 415 shelf registration. At the same time, Standard&Poor's affirmed its other ratings, including the 'A/A-1' corporate credit ratings, on the aerospace company. The outlook is stable. Ratings on Chicago, Ill.-based Boeing are supported by its very strong position in defense and military space sectors that have moderately attractive growth prospects, its position as one of two global producers of large commercial aircraft with generally favorable long-term fundamentals, efficient operations, and expected good overall financial performance, especially solid cash flow generation and liquidity.
