Revenue during the quarter went down marginally by 1.22 percent to $23,286 million from $23,573 million in the previous year period. Gross margin for the quarter expanded 398 basis points over the previous year period to 16.41 percent. Total expenses were 90.63 percent of quarterly revenues, down from 95.07 percent for the same period last year. This has led to an improvement of 445 basis points in operating margin to 9.37 percent.

Operating income for the quarter was $2,183 million, compared with $1,161 million in the previous year period.

However, the adjusted operating income for the quarter stood at $2,064 million compared to $1,259 million in the prior year period. At the same time, adjusted operating margin improved 352 basis points in the quarter to 8.86 percent from 5.34 percent in the last year period.

"With solid fourth quarter operating performance and a sharp strategic focus, we extended our aerospace market leadership in our centennial year and positioned Boeing for continued growth and success in our second century," said chairman, president and chief executive officer Dennis Muilenburg. "We led the industry in commercial airplane deliveries for the fifth consecutive year, achieved healthy sales in our defense, space and services segments, and produced record operating cash flow, which fueled investment in innovation and our people and generated significant returns to shareholders."

For fiscal year 2017, The Boeing Company forecasts revenue to be in the range of $90,500 million to $92,500 million. The company expects diluted earnings per share to be in the range of $10.25 to $10.45. It expects diluted earnings per share to be in the range of $9.10 to $9.30 on adjusted basis.

The company has spent $3,380 million cash to meet investing activities during the year as against cash outgo of $1,846 million in the last year. It has incurred net capital expenditure of $2,575 million on net basis during the year, up 6.94 percent or $167 million from year ago.

The company has spent $9,587 million cash to carry out financing activities during the year as against cash outgo of $7,920 million in the last year period.

Cash and cash equivalents stood at $8,801 million as on Dec. 31, 2016, down 22.13 percent or $2,501 million from $11,302 million on Dec. 31, 2015.

Working capital drops significantly
The Boeing Company has witnessed a decline in the working capital over the last year. It stood at $12,354 million as at Dec. 31, 2016, down 30.68 percent or $5,468 million from $17,822 million on Dec. 31, 2015. Current ratio was at 1.25 as on Dec. 31, 2016, down from 1.35 on Dec. 31, 2015.

Cash conversion cycle (CCC) has decreased to 94 days for the quarter from 99 days for the last year period. Days sales outstanding were almost stable at 18 days for the quarter, when compared with the last year period.

Days inventory outstanding has decreased to 102 days for the quarter compared with 105 days for the previous year period. At the same time, days payable outstanding went up to 26 days for the quarter from 24 for the same period last year.