Boeing earnings, revenue rise on aircraft sales Boeing Co.says its first-quarter earnings jumped 58 percent on higher revenue from sales of commercial airplanes, helping it overcome slow growth in its defense business. The company also raised its 2012 profit forecast. Boeing said Wednesday that it earned $923 million, or $1.22 per share, compared with $586 million, or 78 cents per share, a year ago. It topped the forecast of analysts, who expected 96 cents per share, according to FactSet. Revenue rose 30 percent, to $19.38 billion, beating the $18.45 billion forecast by Wall Street. The gains were driven by strength in sales of commercial airplanes. Many airlines are updating their fleets and ordering more fuel-efficient planes to cope with higher jet fuel prices. The company delivered 137 commercial aircraft in the first quarter, up from 104 a year earlier. It increased its backlog to $380 billion with more than 300 orders for a new version of its workhorse 737 jetliner, which is expected to be ready in a few years to compete with a plane being developed by European rival Airbus. Revenue from commercial planes jumped 54 percent, to $10.94 billion, while revenue from defense and space work grew just 8 percent, to $8.23 billion, reflecting tighter government budgets. The backlog of military planes grew 20 percent to $72 billion on orders for F-15 fighter jets and C-17 cargo planes. Chicago-based Boeing said it expects 2012 net income of $4.15 to $4.35 as it sets aside less money for litigation. In January, it predicted earnings of $4.05 to $4.25 per share for the year. The new range is still below the $4.48 per share that analysts expect. Boeing shares rose $2.03, or 2.8 percent, to $75.24 in premarket trading.