By Gabriel Araujo
SAO PAULO (Reuters) -Brazilian planemaker Embraer on Monday shot past market estimates for second-quarter results, with its chief executive voicing optimism about upcoming quarters for the company.
Francisco Gomes Neto said in an interview there is a "good chance" Embraer will deliver 80 or more commercial aircraft next year, up from a higher-end forecast of 70 in 2023, and return to a level of 100 or more by 2025, or 2026.
The world's third-largest plane manufacturer - after Airbus and Boeing (NYSE:BA) - last topped 100 deliveries in 2017, before hitting snags in an attempted deal with Boeing and then COVID-19-related hold-ups.
"Despite the supply chain challenges, we are very optimistic about this year after a good Q2," Gomes Neto said. "We expect Q3 to be good as well and an even better Q4, with new deals in the commercial and defense units expected in the second half."
The Brazilian company had previously disclosed deliveries of 47 aircraft in the quarter, seen as a positive sign by analysts who believe Embraer will meet its target this year of delivering up to 200 jets overall - both commercial and business.
"We're working hard so next year we can better spread out production and deliveries throughout the year, which will further improve the company's performance," Gomes Neto added.
He said the company has already signed a deal with an undisclosed client that will increase its backlog by $700 million in the third quarter.
Shares in Embraer rose as much as 5.7% immediately after the earnings report before paring gains in a volatile session. Brazil's benchmark stock index Bovespa dropped more than 1%.
The planemaker reported a 25% increase in second quarter adjusted net profit to $57.9 million, more than double the $24.3 million forecast by analysts polled by Refinitiv.
Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) came in at $148.9 million, up 20% from the previous year and above the market consensus of $116.2 million.
JPMorgan (NYSE:JPM) analysts highlighted its EBITDA margin of 11.5%, up 10 percentage points quarter-on-quarter, as particularly strong.
Embraer maintained its outlook for the year, with net revenue forecast to rise by as much as 27% to between $5.2 billion and $5.7 billion.
Embraer's quarterly figures and backlog indicate "strong results for the year," analysts at BTG Pactual said.