Melrose Industries PLC (LSE:MRO, OTC:MLSPF) shares rose 8% to above 554p for the first time since 2020 after it published its first set of results since becoming a pure aerospace company, with a new management team and share buyback announced.
The FTSE 100 group, which spun out Dowlais Group PLC (LSE:DWL) in April, reported aerospace revenue up 19% to £1.63 billion.
Underlying profit (EBITDA) came in at £175 million, more than double the previous year, and guidance for the full year has been increased.
Guidance for aerospace 2023 adjusted operating profit range was increased by over 8% to between £375 million and £385 million with a higher profit margin on engines than previously guided.
The strong performance and outlook allowed the group to bring forward its planned buyback and a £500 million program will kick off in October.
As Melrose is "now a long-term aerospace group", chief executive Simon Peckham and finance director Geoffrey Martin will step down and respectively be replaced by chief operating officer Peter Dilnot and GKN Aerospace finance chief Matthew Gregory.
Analysts at Stifel said it was "another excellent set of results, and (another) increase to FY profit guidance", with upside driven by stronger than expected margins at engines.
"The fact that this is seen as ongoing is a double positive given recent market nerves re quality issues on the Pratt & Witney GTF and the potential risk to MRO earnings and cashflows from its RRSP exposure to this program."