Airbus Group Full-Year Profit Surges

reported a 59% surge in its profit last year. Airbus posted a net income of EUR2.3 billion ($2.6 billion) in the year, up from EUR1.5 billion, in the year-ago period. EPS jumped to € 2.99 from € 1.86. Its sales climbed 5% to EUR60.7 billion. EBIT climbed 54% to € 4.0 billion. Group order intake in the year slipped to €166.4 billion from €216.4 billion in 2013. Airbus' board proposed to a dividend of EUR1.20 per share, a 60.% rise versus €0.75 in 2013 "We achieved a significant improvement in profitability and cash generation in 2014 thanks to a record order book and strong operational performance in most areas," said Tom Enders, Airbus Group Chief Executive Officer. "We delivered more commercial aircraft than ever before, including the first A350, and our net orders were, once again, more than twice the number of deliveries. Due to strong demand for single aisle aircraft we have decided to increase production of our A320 family to 50 aircraft per month from 2017 onwards." Airbus shares fell 1% to close at $14.35 yesterday.