A positive earnings report for the 3rd quarter and some positive guidance boosted Boeing (BA) stock today by near 2%. Commercial place deliveries provided for a revenue surprise of $25.85 billion. A 7% increase from the prior year period. The new earnings guidance came in above the range of $7.7-7.9 a share at $7.95-8.15.

Profit popped 25% and the company reduced costs on its 787 Dreamliner that many analyst have been pushing for. The company has a backlog of 5700 jets which is a good number of orders that should keep revenue solid going forward. Other worries include the closing of the import-export bank and slowing demand from emerging markets. The company did not feel these issues would be enough to offset current positive trends.

General Motors has had a rough year with record numbers of recalls for ignition issues. And  now they are facing disgruntled investors ready for a proxy fight. To calm the anger of the investors, the company is going to buy back $5 billion in stock giving support to the stock.

Icahn Lab Conference Room (Photo credit: Joe Shlabotnik)

Carl Icahn Invests in Apple Inc.

It wasn’t too long ago that the drop in Apple stock seemed like it would not stop as the price dropped all the way down to $400 a share after the death of legendary CEO Steve Jobs. Now the stock has turned the corner and is on the way back up, but to $700 is a level that not many are predicting. Carl Icahn does feel good about $600 a share and invested 1.5 billion in the stock recently. Icahn feels that the stock is easily worth $625 even without any growth in earnings. In addition to investing in the stock he has spoken with the current CEO, Tim Cook, trying to get the company to purchase more of their shares back from the public.