11:44 AM EDT, 10/25/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Boeing's ( BA ) fortunes depend on resolving a labor dispute with striking workers with the world's largest aircraft manufacturer expected to continue burning cash in the fourth quarter before rebounding in the second half of 2025.

The Arlington, Virginia-based company on Wednesday reported a Q3 net loss of $6.17 billion, free cash flow loss of $1.96 billion and an operating cash flow loss of $1.35 billion, partly reflecting "unfavorable working capital timing," including the impact of a strike by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Worker.

Boeing ( BA ) expects fourth-quarter free cash flow to come in around the second-quarter loss of $4.33 billion before becoming "significantly better" in late 2025, Chief Financial Officer Brian West said on the earnings call.

The timing depends on how quickly the strike ends, Jeff Windau, a senior equity analyst at Edward Jones, said in an interview.

Boeing's ( BA ) latest offer this week included a 35% wage increase over four years, up from 25% previously; a $7,000 ratification bonus for all employees; and an increase of the 401(k) match to 100% from 75%, as well as a one-time contribution of $5,000 to all employee accounts. The proposal failed to mention a revival of a pension program, a point of contention for the strikers, said Chris Olin, an equity analyst at Northcoast Research.

"They were talking negative free cash flow in the first half, but that might start to bleed into the second half of the year if they don't come to a resolution in a relatively expedient time period," Windau said.

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