GE Aerospace (GE.US) reported its third-quarter earnings before the market opened on October 21, Eastern Time, benefiting from robust demand in air travel, and upgraded its full-year performance outlook for the second consecutive quarter. The earnings report revealed that GE Aerospace's adjusted revenue grew 26% year-over-year to $11.3 billion, surpassing market expectations; the adjusted earnings per share stood at $1.66, also exceeding market forecasts. As of Monday's close, GE Aerospace's stock price had risen over 80% this year, significantly outpacing the S&P 500 index's 15% gain over the same period. The company stated on Tuesday that it has raised its adjusted earnings per share guidance from the previous range of $5.60 to $5.80 to a new range of $6.00 to $6.20, with the market average expectation at $5.92. Additionally, GE Aerospace has revised several forecast metrics upwards: the adjusted revenue growth rate was raised from the midpoint of the 14%-16% range to 17%-20%. Expectations for operating profit and free cash flow were also increased. GE Aerospace noted that the operating profit forecast for this year has been adjusted upward from the previous maximum of $8.5 billion to a range of $8.65 billion to $8.85 billion, while the free cash flow forecast was raised from $6.5 billion to $6.9 billion to a new range of $7.1 billion to $7.3 billion. This performance illustrates the company's sustained growth momentum under CEO Larry Culp, following last year's three-way spin-off of this legacy diversified industrial company. Despite tariff pressures and supply chain disruptions hindering other aerospace manufacturers, GE Aerospace’s revenue and profits across its business segments have all shown growth, driving its stock price significantly higher. To meet the increasing aircraft production rates from Boeing (BA.US) and Airbus (Airbus SE), GE Aerospace needs to deliver more new engines, leading to higher associated costs; currently, the company’s maintenance and repair services are helping to offset this cost pressure. Typically, the sale of new engines may operate at a loss, with profitability achieved gradually through maintenance agreements over the subsequent years. GE Aerospace is one of the main beneficiaries of the global recovery in air travel, with rising market demand for maintenance services and new engines. Recently, the company has scored significant victories in large aircraft orders, including the largest wide-body engine order in General Electric’s history with Qatar Airways, for which it will supply over 400 engines. Culp has been a vocal advocate for reducing trade barriers in the global aerospace industry. Earlier this year, he had a direct conversation with President Donald Trump, explaining how free trade benefits the aerospace sector and creates a trade surplus for the U.S.