Boeing Reports 53% Gain in Net Income for Year

A gain of more than 50% in third-quarter earnings for 1985 was reported by Boeing Co. in a statement citing a big increase in the sale of commercial jetliners.

Boeing said its earnings were $132 million, up from last year’s $86 million. Revenue rose to $3.1 billion from $2.2 billion.

The statement said sales for the first three quarters rose to nearly $9.4 billion, compared to $7 billion for the same period last year, while earnings were $378 million, up from $266 million in 1984.

The statement said 10 airlines and two leasing companies ordered 104 jetliners for about $3 billion in the third quarter. All but seven of the orders were for the twin-engine 737-300.

Since the end of the quarter, Boeing has announced a $2-billion order from Northwest Airlines for 10 757s and 10 747-400s, the first contract for the new, longer-range version of the jumbo jet, and a Republic Airlines order for six 757s.

As of Sept. 30, Boeing reported a $22.6-billion backlog of unfilled orders, compared to$21.5 billion on Dec. 31. All but $5.6 billion of the backlog was commercial orders, the statement said.