Shares of Boeing Co. surged pre-market Wednesday as the aerospace company reported earnings that trounced analyst expectations and hiked its outlook for 2018 earnings. Net income was $2.48 billion, up from $1.58 billion a year ago. Per-share earnings were $4.15, compared to $2.54 a year ago. Adjusted EPS came to $3.64, beating the consensus of $2.58. Revenues of $23.38 billion were higher than the $21.96 billion a year ago, and topped expectations of $22.28 billion. The company raised its outlook for adjusted EPS to $14.30-14.50, from $13.80-14.00. It also said it plans to purchase an additional $15 billion worth of stock over the next two years. Shares are up 11.6% for the year to date, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average has lost nearly 3%.