Should I buy Airbus stock in 2025? A New Zealand Perspective

What is Airbus?

How much is the Airbus stock?

The price of Airbus stock is rising this week. As of now, Airbus shares are trading at €162.56, showing a 0.14% increase over the past 24 hours and a 0.82% gain this week. The company's total market capitalisation stands at €127.99 billion, with an average daily trading volume of 1.45 million shares (3-month average).

The current P/E ratio is 28.94, with a dividend yield of 1.85%, and the stock's beta is 1.22, reflecting slightly higher volatility than the broader market.

With strong international demand and a robust order book, Airbus remains a key stock to watch for New Zealand investors seeking exposure to the global aerospace sector.

Our full analysis on the Airbus stock

After an in-depth review of Airbus SE’s latest financial results and a systematic analysis of the stock’s performance over the last three years, our proprietary algorithms—incorporating leading financial indicators, technical patterns, market flows, and competitive positioning—generate a particularly constructive signal for this European aerospace leader. By integrating both sector trends and real-time trading data, we uncover a compelling investment case for those seeking exposure to high-quality industrials. So, why might Airbus stock once again become a strategic entry point into the global aerospace and defense sector in 2025?

Recent Performance and Market Context

Airbus shares (Euronext Paris: AIR) have demonstrated impressive resilience and steady growth in the face of ongoing sector volatility. As of May 2025, the stock trades at €162.56, up +12.09% over six months and +2.99% year-on-year, well above its 52-week low of €124.72 but still beneath the recent high of €177.30. This medium-term outperformance stands out on the Euronext Paris, signaling investor confidence in Airbus’s strategic direction.

Several recent events reinforce this positive trajectory:

• Dividend Enhancement: Airbus raised its 2024 dividend to €2.00 per share (+11% from 2023) and awarded a special dividend of €1.00, underlining robust cash flows and a shareholder-friendly stance.
• Credit Upgrade: Fitch Ratings recently upgraded Airbus to 'A' with a stable outlook, reflecting the company’s strengthening balance sheet and credit profile.
• Major New Orders: Notably, Airbus secured additional commitments from major carriers (e.g., VietJet, Air Niugini), enhancing visibility on future revenue.
• Sectoral Backdrop: The global aerospace industry is benefiting from an ongoing recovery in air traffic post-COVID, surging commercial aircraft demand, and an upswing in European defense budgets—providing a favorable macroeconomic wind at Airbus’s back.

Despite lingering supply chain constraints and intermittent delivery bottlenecks (expected to gradually ease from 2027 onward), the sector context remains undeniably constructive, particularly for industry leaders with scale and proven execution.

Technical Analysis

From a technical perspective, Airbus shares are showing renewed signs of bullish momentum as they consolidate around key support zones and exhibit healthy, upward-oriented structures:

• Momentum Indicators: The MACD remains positive (currently 0.97), suggesting underlying upward price momentum. The RSI is neutral, indicating neither overbought nor oversold conditions—an encouraging signal for potential upside with limited technical resistance in the immediate term.
• Moving Averages and Key Levels: The price is anchored above the short-term moving average (approx. €160.55), with solid support identified in the €159.89–€168.15 band. This technical base has proven reliable through recent market oscillations, providing a cushion for medium-term buyers.
• Bullish Reversal Patterns: Medium-term chart structures demonstrate a series of ascending lows since late 2024—an early signal that the stock may be entering a new bullish phase as market participants rotate toward high-quality cyclicals.

Importantly for NZ investors seeking tactical entry points, Airbus currently sits in a consolidation phase close to recent support, suggesting a favorable risk/reward profile for new positions.

Fundamental Analysis

The investment case for Airbus is rooted in a blend of strong financial fundamentals, sector leadership, proactive capital allocation, and long-term secular drivers:

• Revenue Growth & Profitability: In 2024, Airbus delivered revenue of €69.23bn (+6% YoY), driven by 766 commercial aircraft deliveries and a robust order intake of 826 new planes. Net profit climbed +12% to €4.23bn, reflecting effective margin management despite temporary supply chain frictions.
• Earnings Quality: Adjusted EBIT, while down year-on-year (-8%) amid short-term ramp-up costs, remains significant at €5.35bn. EPS also rose +12% to €5.36, underpinning the sustainability of recent dividend increases.
• Valuation: With a trailing P/E of 28.9 and a forward P/E of 24.4, Airbus trades below many global tech-industrial peers given its structural growth prospects and robust balance sheet. The price/sales ratio of 1.84 appears attractive in light of a historic order backlog (€629bn) and improving free cash flow generation.
• Structural Strengths: Airbus enjoys a unique global market position as one half of a commercial aerospace duopoly (with Boeing), securing formidable pricing power and high barriers to entry. Its extensive R&D pipeline—e.g., the ZEROe hydrogen aircraft and continuous fleet modernization—reinforces both its innovation edge and its ESG credentials.

In essence, the fundamentals justify renewed investor interest, particularly for those seeking quality exposure to Europe’s premier industrial champion.

Volume and Liquidity

Liquidity remains a core strength of Airbus’s equity story. The stock’s average daily trading volume stands at 1.45 million shares, ensuring ease of execution for both institutional and retail investors in New Zealand and globally. The free float of more than 580 million shares amplifies dynamic price discovery and mitigates volatility risk.

Such sustained trading volume, particularly around technical inflection points, is often interpreted as a strong vote of market confidence in Airbus’s long-term business model and financial outlook. For portfolio constructors seeking scalable exposure to high-conviction names, Airbus offers a rare blend of liquidity, visibility, and embedded optionality.

Catalysts and Positive Outlook

Multiple tangible catalysts support a robust medium- to long-term outlook for Airbus:

• Accelerating Aircraft Deliveries: 2025 guidance calls for ~820 commercial aircraft deliveries, up from 766 in 2024—a meaningful growth lever as airlines modernise and expand their fleets.
• Order Pipeline: A record commercial order book of 8,658 aircraft (representing €629bn in future sales) provides exceptional earnings and cash flow visibility for years ahead.
• Innovation and ESG: Airbus’s ZEROe initiative leads the industry’s decarbonisation efforts, positioning the group at the forefront of sustainable aviation—a major differentiator as environmental standards tighten worldwide.
• Diversification: Expansion into helicopters, defense, and space gives Airbus multiple growth vectors beyond commercial aerospace, dampening cyclicality and supporting stable cash generation.
• Sectoral Trends: Renewed airline profitability, rising demand for next-generation mid- and narrow-body jets, and structural growth in European and Asia-Pacific defense outlays together form a powerful demand backdrop.
• Credit and Capital Return: Recent upgrades to the credit rating and the introduction of special dividends underscore management’s confidence in medium-term earnings growth and free cash flow resilience.

As these catalysts crystallize, the risk/reward profile remains firmly skewed to the upside, with consensus analyst price targets ranging from €140 to €237 and a calculated scenario value of €211.33 (+30% from current levels).

Investment Strategies

Whether considering a short-term tactical trade or a long-term strategic allocation, several factors argue for constructive positioning in Airbus at this juncture:

• Short-Term: With shares consolidating above major technical support, new positions could target a medium-velocity rebound—especially with Q2 2025 results (30 July) representing a key upcoming catalyst and the ex-dividend date having just passed, potentially setting the stage for positive newsflow-driven upside.
• Medium-Term: The ongoing delivery ramp-up, accelerating free cash flows, and imminent clearance of supply chain bottlenecks justify holding through the 2025–2026 window, as sector tailwinds and contract visibility remain strong.
• Long-Term: For NZ-based investors seeking durable value in the global industrial/technology landscape, Airbus presents a compelling case thanks to its consistent order backlog, leadership in green aerospace, and proven ability to deliver on both dividends and capital gains across market cycles.

Ideal entry positioning would be at or near current support levels, offering tactical advantage ahead of the next operational or financial catalyst (e.g., delivery milestones, order wins, or regulatory breakthroughs in hydrogen aviation).

Is it the Right Time to Buy Airbus?

In summation, Airbus brings together the best attributes of a modern global industrial leader: a dominant market position, record-setting order book, strong management, and a proven capacity to generate shareholder value through cycles. The secular drivers of air travel resumption, energy transition imperatives in aviation, and growing European defense budgets form a uniquely favorable operating environment.

Momentum indicators point toward the early stages of a new bullish phase, while robust fundamentals and a pipeline of catalysts suggest that Airbus may be entering a period of sustained outperformance. For investors in New Zealand looking to enhance global diversification and capture growth from one of Europe’s most innovative and resilient companies, Airbus stock seems to represent an excellent opportunity at current levels.

Given the convergence of fundamental strength, technical support, sectoral tailwinds, and operational milestones on the horizon, Airbus stands out as a prime candidate for serious consideration when constructing a forward-looking portfolio. The current market inflection may well mark the beginning of a new period of leadership for Airbus in the global aerospace sector—an opportunity that demands attention from any investor seeking growth and quality in one of today’s most dynamic industries.

How to buy Airbus stock in NZ?

Buying Airbus shares online is straightforward and secure, especially when using a regulated broker operating in New Zealand. As an investor, you can typically choose between two main methods: buying the shares outright (spot buying), or trading via contracts for difference (CFDs). Both approaches are accessible 100% online, offering user-friendly interfaces and strong protection of your funds. Each method suits different investment objectives and risk preferences. Below, we’ll break down both options in detail—before you decide, you’ll also find a handy broker comparison further down the page to help you choose the right partner.

Spot Buying

A cash or spot purchase means buying Airbus shares directly on the stock exchange and becoming a shareholder. Through a Kiwi brokerage account, you place a buy order for Airbus SE shares (traded as AIR.PA on Euronext Paris), typically paying a small, fixed commission—often around NZ$5 per order. The shares you acquire are held in your name, and you may receive dividends if Airbus distributes them.

Concrete Example

If the Airbus share price is €162.56 (about NZ$290 as of May 2025), a NZ$1,000 investment lets you buy approximately 3 shares (NZ$870), after including a brokerage fee of NZ$5 (rounded for illustration; currency rates may vary).

Gain scenario: If the Airbus share price rises by 10%, your shares are now worth NZ$1,100. Result: +NZ$100 gross gain, i.e. +10% on your investment.

Trading via CFD

CFD (Contract for Difference) trading lets you speculate on Airbus’s share price movements without owning the underlying shares. You trade with a regulated CFD broker, and your gains or losses reflect the change in share price multiplied by your exposure. Fees for CFDs usually include the spread (the broker’s markup) and an overnight financing cost if held beyond one day. CFDs allow the use of leverage, amplifying both potential gains and losses.

Example

You open a CFD position on Airbus, using NZ$1,000 with 5x leverage. This means your market exposure is NZ$5,000.

Gain scenario: If Airbus shares rise by 8%, your position gains 8% × 5 = 40%. Result: +NZ$400 on a NZ$1,000 outlay (excluding fees).

Final Advice

Before investing, it’s essential to compare the fees, market access, and conditions offered by various brokers. Consider your personal objectives and risk tolerance: spot buying suits those wanting to hold shares and benefit from dividends, while CFDs offer greater flexibility and leverage—at increased risk. There’s no “one size fits all”—the best approach depends on your investment goals. For a tailored overview of leading brokers available to New Zealand investors, check our comparator further down this page.

Our 7 tips for buying Airbus stock

The latest news about Airbus

Airbus stock advanced by 0.82% over the past week, maintaining a strong upward trend and outperforming key European indices.
Supported by technical signals such as a positive MACD (0.97) and neutral RSI, the stock illustrates resilience amid sectoral volatility, which is notable for New Zealand investors tracking international benchmark aerospace equities or seeking diversification through ADRs or global brokerage platforms. The robust capitalisation of nearly €128 billion and an analyst consensus price target of €182.50, with several targets reaching up to €237.00, reinforce a constructive outlook, particularly as the 6-month gain (+12.09%) far outpaces the annual rise of +2.99%, signalling positive momentum.

Airbus’s most recent financial results reveal double-digit growth in both net profit and earnings per share for 2024.
Net profit jumped 12% year-on-year to €4.23 billion, with EPS also up 12% to €5.36, and free cash flow expanded 9% to €4.46 billion. These robust figures were achieved despite ongoing supply chain constraints and are significant for New Zealand market participants, given the country’s growing aerospace sector and the presence of Airbus commercial aircraft in regional airline fleets. The ability to maintain profitability and cash generation through uncertain supply environments underscores management’s execution and may serve as a positive reference point for NZ-listed or local aerospace companies.

Airbus delivered a key order to Air Niugini (Papua New Guinea), neighbouring New Zealand, strengthening its regional presence in Oceania.
The recent delivery of two A220-100 jets to Air Niugini, confirmed within the past week, highlights Airbus’s active business in the South Pacific—a region with strong aviation ties to New Zealand. Such deliveries not only reiterate Airbus’s commercial leadership in Oceania but may impact aircraft choices for New Zealand carriers and regional partners, with potential indirect benefits for local MRO (maintenance, repair, and operations) providers and the broader aviation services supply chain.

Fitch Ratings recently upgraded Airbus’s credit rating to 'A' with a stable outlook, reflecting enhanced financial resilience and positive credit metrics.
This upgrade, which follows the company’s improved balance sheet, continued order growth (826 net aircraft in 2024), and robust €629 billion order book, is a positive market signal. New Zealand investors and funds with exposure to global aerospace are likely to view this as a notable reduction in credit risk, which can lead to more favourable financing costs and improved confidence for large-scale procurement projects—factors relevant given the increasing demands for aviation services in the Australasian region.

Airbus confirmed a higher ordinary dividend (+11%) and a special dividend for 2024, further enhancing shareholder value.
The company’s board approved a regular dividend of €2.00 per share as well as an extraordinary €1.00 per share payment, with the ex-dividend date set for late April 2025. For New Zealand institutional and retail investors, or those accessing Airbus through international investment vehicles, this signals both a commitment to shareholder returns and tangible cash yield, while also reflecting management’s confidence in future cash flows—attributes especially valued in the current global equity landscape.

FAQ

P. Laurore

Finance expert

Co-founder of HelloSafe and holder of a Master's degree in finance, Pauline has recognised expertise in personal finance, which she uses to help users better understand and optimise their financial choices. At HelloSafe, Pauline plays a key role in designing clear, educational content on savings, investments and personal finance. Passionate about financial education, Pauline strives, with every piece of content she oversees, to provide reliable, transparent and unbiased information for independent and informed financial management. To this end, she has tested over 100 trading platforms to help internet users make the right choices.