(News Bulletin 247) – The aeronautics and defense group delivered 52 planes in the eighth month of the year, traditionally low due to the holidays. The annual target of 720 devices appears more than ever within reach for the manufacturer.

The summer was studious for Airbus. After delivering 65 aircraft in July, the European aeronautics and defense group this time shipped 52 aircraft to its customers in August.

Remember that the aircraft manufacturer’s deliveries are extremely closely followed by analysts and the market simply because most of the payment for an aircraft occurs when the aircraft is hand-delivered to its customer. Deliveries therefore make it possible to monitor the evolution of the cash generated by Airbus.

This figure of 52 deliveries is relatively satisfactory in view of analysts’ forecasts. Deutsche Bank and UBS were counting on 48 devices but Jefferies was a bit higher, at 55 units. This last design office nevertheless evokes a “solid” performance over the eighth month of the year.

>> Access our exclusive graphic analyses, and enter into the confidence of the Trading Portfolio

One of the best Augusts in the history of Airbus deliveries

It should be noted that the month of August traditionally marks a low point for Airbus, simply due to holidays with the aircraft manufacturer and its suppliers.

“At 52 units, this is one of the best August performances in recent years, except for 2016 and 2018. It further demonstrates that supply chain issues are ‘gradually improving’, analyzes Deutsche Bank.

From January to the end of August, Airbus has now delivered 433 aircraft, which represents 60% of the target for 2023, i.e. 720 units. Knowing that the European group is used to stepping up the pace over the last part of the year, this target seems within reach. The group should therefore spare its shareholders yet another theatrical but useless suspense, when the delivery target is played out in the last weeks of the year, as has been the case on many occasions.

Jefferies thus considers that the objective of 720 aircraft is not “at risk”. And Deutsche Bank, for its part, is more optimistic than the group, counting on 728 devices delivered.

The question is rather whether Airbus will raise this objective, even marginally, when it publishes its third quarter results on November 8.

For the time being the market appreciates not without moderation the figures published by the aircraft manufacturer. Airbus shares rose 1.5% around 12:30 p.m., marking the third strongest increase in the index.