A broad brush summary for the first quarter of 2004 seems elusive. Most indicators, except military exports, declined from last year's strong fourth quarter. Whereas these same results, except employment, surpassed the other quarters of 2003. Military exports did increase over the fourth quarter and included the first fighter and transport export in over a year. Employment, which on average declined for the quarter, increased in the month of March. Further, Labor Department figures for April show a second monthly increase. Clearly, the last two quarters show a strengthening aerospace sector and now employment is finally ending its long decline.

In Billions of Current Dollars	1Q 2004	4Q 2003	% Change 4Q03 to 1Q04	1Q 2003	2003 Year-End	2002 Year-End
Aerospace Sales	$43.74	$46.05	-5.0%	$41.42	$171.75	$159.58
Profits	$2.25	$3.01	-25.1%	$1.14	$7.24	$6.55
Orders	$38.72	$42.88	-9.7%	$35.05	$147.74	$139.72
Exports--Total	$14.01	$14.24	-1.6%	$12.73	$52.50	$56.78
Exports--Civil	$11.56	$12.35	-6.4%	$10.46	$44.06	$47.35
Exports--Military	$2.45	$1.89	29.9%	$2.28	$8.44	$9.43
Employment (in thousands)	569	575	-0.9%	595	574	603

For more information about AIA's Statistics, please contact stats@aia-aerospace.org.