The upgrade, which contrasts with bleak economic news in its home European markets, comes after EADS operating profit almost doubled in the second quarter to 735 million euros.

Revenue grew by 12% to 13.53 billion, led by Airbus and strong helicopter and space divisions. EADS quarterly defence profits and revenue were flat.

Analysts were on average expecting second-quarter operating profit to rise by a third to 626 million euros on revenue of 12.979 billion, according to a Reuters survey.

The earnings follow a spate of stronger-than-expected quarterly earnings by U.S. aerospace and defence companies in the past week as they pushed through tough cost cutting and share buybacks to prepare for heavy cuts in defence spending.

Boeing raised its full-year earnings forecast on Wednesday as rising commercial airplane deliveries and defence sales offset higher pension costs.