European aeronautics giant returns to profit

PARIS (AFP) Jul 29, 2004
EADS, the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company, chalked up net earnings of 387 million euros (466 million dollars) in the first half of this year, returning to profit after a loss of 66 million euros in the same period of 2003, the company said on Thursday.

Sales for the six-month period were up 12 percent, to 14.567 billion euros as against 13.060 billion in the first half of last year, EADS said in a statement.

The group is the main force behind the company that builds the European Airbus passenger jet, owned 80 percent by EADS and 20 percent by BAE Systems of Britain.

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