Boeing agreed to plead guilty to a criminal fraud charge tied to two fatal 737 Max crashes in which 346 people died. This decision came after U.S. prosecutors said the company had violated a 2021 settlement in which it was shielded from prosecution.
The S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average led Friday's market rally, with both indexes achieving record highs. The Nasdaq Composite also rose but retreated later in the day.
Boeing has agreed to pay a $243.6 million fine under the new plea deal, related to two fatal 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019 that resulted in 346 deaths5. This is in addition to a previous $243 million fine the company already paid. The agreement also includes Boeing investing at least $455 million in its compliance and safety programs and being subject to an independent compliance monitor for three years1.