Shares in the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) jumped by 1,19% in early trades on Monday on an upgrade by Merrill Lynch and a report that the Russian airline Aeroflot might shift a major order to EADS’s aircraft manufacturing unit Airbus.
EADS shares traded at €30.73 on a market that was 0,37% higher overall.
According to dealers, Merrill Lynch upgraded EADS shares to “buy” from “neutral” on valuation grounds.
The broker said Airbus was suffering from the perception that its product line was outdated, and believed it was poised to launch a new fuel-efficient A350 airliner which would leapfrog US rival Boeing’s 787 model.
The broker said the product range concerns were overdone, highlighting that Airbus has outsold Boeing every year for the past five years.
Merrill Lynch added that market consensus was too low, saying the expected launch of an all-new A350 would provide a catalyst for the stock.
The broker also increased its earning per share estimate for EADS by 8% from 2007 owing to the acquisition from BAE Systems of a 20% stake in Airbus.
EADS already owns 80% of Airbus.
Meanwhile, the Russian business daily Vedomosti reported over the weekend that Aeroflot would likely buy $3-billion worth of planes from Airbus instead of Boeing in apparent retaliation for US opposition to Moscow joining the World Trade Organisation.
The newspaper quoted airline spokesperson Irina Dannenberg as saying a final decision had not yet been made, but that Aeroflot was looking at offers from Airbus after initially having a preference for Boeing. – AFP