Boeing has offered to acquire Wichita-based Spirit AeroSystems; the mostly-stock deal would be at about $35 per share, as Boeing looks to take over its supplier for 737 fuselages, as reported Tuesday by Bloomberg News.
Reuters' calculations valued the deal in excess of $4 billion.
Bloomberg reported Boeing's initial offer was for all-cash; the final terms of the latest offer are still being discussed, but it could include a small amount of cash. The deal is expected to be announced in a matter of days.
Spirit's shares dropped more than 6% to $31.30 in premarket trading on Tuesday. Boeing's shares slid about 1%, which would reduce the value of an all-stock offer.
Spirit AeroSystems makes fuselages for Boeing planes and wings and fuselages for Airbus. Boeing is working to stabilize after one of its 737 Max jetliners suffered a blowout of a fuselage panel in January. The company has been working to improve the manufacturing process, quality and safety management.
The FAA continues to cap production of the 737 Max, Boeing’s best-selling plane. The FAA has added more safety inspectors in Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems facilities.