Hawker Beechcraft, once a prominent name in the aviation industry, no longer exists as an independent entity under that name. Its history, however, remains relevant, especially when considering its presence (or lack thereof) on financial platforms like Google Finance.
Historically, Hawker Beechcraft was a leading manufacturer of business, special mission, and trainer aircraft. The company’s lineage traces back to the early days of aviation, with brands like Beechcraft and Hawker enjoying strong reputations for quality and performance. For a period, the combined entity was a significant player in the general aviation market.
However, the company faced significant financial challenges in the late 2000s and early 2010s, exacerbated by the global economic recession and a downturn in business aircraft sales. This ultimately led to Hawker Beechcraft filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2012.
As part of its restructuring, the company emerged from bankruptcy in 2013 under a new name: Beechcraft Corporation. The new entity focused primarily on its general aviation products, particularly the King Air turboprops and the Bonanza and Baron piston-engine aircraft. The company shed its Hawker jet business, which was a major source of its financial difficulties.
Subsequently, in 2014, Beechcraft Corporation was acquired by Textron Inc., a multi-industry company with established aviation interests (including Cessna). Beechcraft then became part of Textron Aviation, which also includes Cessna and Bell Helicopter.
What does this mean for Google Finance?
If you search for “Hawker Beechcraft” on Google Finance today, you likely won’t find a listing for an actively traded company. This is because the company ceased to exist as a publicly traded entity after its bankruptcy and subsequent acquisition by Textron. Any historical stock data or information about Hawker Beechcraft will be archived or related to its past ticker symbol, which might lead to pages describing its history.
Instead, if you’re interested in the financial performance of the businesses formerly associated with Hawker Beechcraft, you would need to look at the financial information for Textron Inc. (TXT). Textron’s financial reports will include the performance of the Beechcraft and Cessna brands under Textron Aviation. These results are usually reported as part of Textron’s overall aviation segment performance.
In conclusion, while Hawker Beechcraft was once a name actively tracked on financial platforms like Google Finance, its bankruptcy and acquisition have changed the landscape. Today, understanding its financial history and the performance of its former product lines requires researching the financial data of Textron Inc.