Boeing focuses on 787 fix; 4Q profit tops estimate

Boeing focuses on 787 fix; 4Q profit tops estimate

Boeing says its top priority this year is to fix the battery problems that grounded its 787.

The company made the pledge while reporting a fourth-quarter profit that topped Wall Street estimates, as rising profits from commercial jets offset a smaller profit from defense work.

Boeing earned $978 million in the latest quarter, or $1.28 per share. That was down 30 percent from $1.39 billion, or $1.84 per share, a year earlier, which included a big tax benefit.

The profit topped the $1.19 per share expected by analysts.

Revenue rose 14 percent to $22.3 billion.

Boeing Co. says earnings this year will be $5 to $5.20 per share, with revenue of $82 billion to $85 billion. The outlook assumes "no significant financial impact" from the 787 being out of service.

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