 Boeing expects its commercial unit to recover in 2005 and 2006 |
Boeing's profits fell 84% in the fourth quarter because of charges related to the shutdown of its 717 programme and the loss of a Pentagon contract. The company's profits hit $186m (�98.79m) after charges, down from $1.13bn in 2003.
Despite the deep fall, Boeing beat market expectations thanks to its defence unit, now its main business.
The US giant expects a strong recovery in 2005 and 2006, especially in its commercial unit.
The company has said its sales in the last three months of 2004 rose 1% to $13.31bn.
It also explained that a tax benefit helped it to avoid a further profit fall.
Strong forecasts
Boeing forecasts revenues of $58bn in 2005 and between $62bn and $63bn in 2006. Sales in 2004 were $52.5bn.
Boeing expects to sell 320 commercial aircraft in 2005, up from 285 in 2004.
The company expects to sell between 370 and 385 commercial planes in 2006, higher than analysts' expectations.
"They said they had 78 percent of those sold, so in the next year they only have to sell another 90 or 100," said Paul Nisbet of JSA Research.
"They probably know that those orders are going to be picked up by some of the 737 fleets, like Southwest or Ryanair," he added.
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