Rising employment, record sales, near-record orders, and rising exports--all led to make the fourth quarter (and 2004) a strong period. Profits--our only disappointment during the quarter--fell 10%. For the year, however, profits rose $2.2 billion to $9.4 billion--the second highest level on record. 2004 erased the declines of 2003 for employment and exports, but broke (or nearly-broke) new ground for sales, profits, and orders. Strong orders in 2004 is a good sign for 2005.

In Billions of Current Dollars	4Q 2004	3Q 2004	% Change 3Q04 to 4Q04	4Q 2003	2004 Year-End	2003 Year-End
Aerospace Sales	$48.52	$45.63	6.3%	$46.13	$184.12	$171.71
Profits	$2.13	$2.38	-10.4%	$3.00	$9.45	$7.24
Orders	$46.73	$40.01	16.8%	$42.88	$164.88	$147.74
Exports--Total	$14.56	$13.63	6.8%	$14.24	$56.82	$52.50
Exports--Civil	$12.42	$11.53	7.7%	$12.35	$47.33	$44.06
Exports--Military	$2.14	$2.10	2.1%	$1.89	$9.49	$8.44
Employment (in thousands)	604	598	1.0%	583	607	583

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