Pentagon May Announce Tanker Contract This Week (BA)

The U.S. Defense Department may announce the $35 billion contract to build its aerial-refueling tanker sources close to the situation said. Many believe the announcement could come as soon as tomorrow, despite no mention from the Pentagon. Boeing Co. BA and Europe's EADS are the top two contenders for the contract. The winner would received a contract to build 179 planes, which could then expand into replacing all 400 Eisenhower-era tankers currently in use. At last check, shares of Boeing were off 69 cents to $70.24, a loss of less than 1%.