Finvest
EMBJ Aerospace & Defense · Aerospace · Defense · Brazil · Thesis updated July 17, 2026

Record backlog, but deliveries still matter

01 Running thesis

Orders are strong, output is the test

The bull case starts with demand. Embraer reported a record $31.6 billion backlog in Q4 2025. That is a large pile of promised future work, and it gives the company better visibility than it had a few years ago.

The mix also looks healthier. Commercial and Executive Aviation both have momentum, while Defense & Security keeps gaining attention through the C-390 Millennium. The KC-390 has won repeat orders, such as Portugal, and new selections, such as Lithuania. India is also a possible large defense catalyst with a request for 60 military aircraft.

The bear case is not about whether airlines and governments want the planes. It is about whether Embraer can build and deliver them fast enough. Management says the supply chain is improving for 2026, but still has bottlenecks. Engines, structural parts, and smaller parts can all hold back deliveries.

Valuation also matters. Finn's score is not saying this is a cheap stock. The story has improved, helped by the tariff exemption and record backlog, but investors still need Embraer to turn orders into deliveries, cash, and margin.

Mar 2026FY2025 results added more proof that the story is broadening. Services & Support reached 25.4% of revenue, Defense kept building around the C-390, and Eve completed its first engineering prototype flight.
Mar 2026Q4 2025 strengthened the thesis with a record $31.6 billion backlog. Management also said Embraer aircraft, engines, and parts are exempt from the 10% U.S. tariff.
Nov 2025Q3 2025 showed another record backlog at $31.3 billion. Management said 2025 supply chain risk was covered, but the next year still needed watching.
Aug 2025Q2 2025 showed deliveries up 30% year over year and backlog at $29.7 billion. The U.S. tariff threat fell from 50% to 10%, turning a major shock into a smaller headwind.
May 2025Q1 2025 introduced the U.S. tariff risk, with management estimating a 90 basis point hit to 2025 EBITDA margin. Defense wins helped, but tariffs added a new cost concern.
Apr 2025The FY2024 Form 20-F confirmed the segment mix and added Tempest as a 100% owned cybersecurity business. It also confirmed another four-year pause for the E175-E2.
Feb 2025Q4 2024 brought a record backlog, a $7 billion Flexjet order, and investment grade ratings from the three main agencies. Supply chain pressure and the E175-E2 pause kept the update from being cleaner.
Nov 2024The initial view was mixed. Executive Aviation and Defense were improving, but Commercial Aviation delivery guidance was cut due to engines and structural parts.
02 Business model

Aircraft sales plus repeat service work

Embraer makes money by selling aircraft and by servicing them after delivery. New aircraft sales can be lumpy because buyers place large orders and deliveries depend on production schedules. Service work is steadier because planes need parts, repair, and support for years.

The company has four main revenue pillars: Commercial Aviation, Executive Aviation, Defense & Security, and Services & Support. In FY2025, Services & Support made up 25.4% of revenue, and management has said commercial jets account for almost 40% of services revenue.

Defense adds a different kind of cycle. Programs like the C-390 Millennium and A-29 Super Tucano depend on government budgets and long sales processes. A win can be meaningful, but it can also take years to become deliveries.

Embraer also owns 83% of Eve, its electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft business. Eve is still in development, so it is an option on a future market rather than a core profit source today.

03 Product portfolio

Jets, defense aircraft, services, and Eve

Growth engine

Commercial Aviation

This includes the E-Jet family, such as the E190-E2, E195-E2, and E170s. The E175-E2 is paused because U.S. scope clauses, which limit aircraft size for regional airlines, still block the model.

Growth engine

Executive Aviation

Embraer sells light and medium business jets, including the next generation Praetor 500E and 600E. This segment benefits when corporate and private jet demand stays firm.

Growth engine

Defense & Security

The C-390 Millennium is the main watch item, helped by orders and selections in Europe. Embraer also sells A-29 Super Tucanos and is producing 15 Gripen E fighters in Brazil from 2026 onward.

Cash cow

Services & Support

This unit provides maintenance, repair, overhaul, and parts programs. It is valuable because it can keep earning money after an aircraft is sold.

Option

Eve eVTOL

Eve is developing electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft for urban air mobility. Its first engineering prototype flew on December 19, 2025.

Option

Tempest Security Intelligence

Tempest is Embraer's cybersecurity business and became 100% owned by Embraer in 2024. It is small compared with aircraft, but adds a technology side bet.

04 Business segments

FY2025 revenue mix

Commercial Aviation31%modest
Executive Aviation29%modest
Services & Support25%growing fast
Defense & Security13%growing fast

Segment shares are from Embraer's FY2025 Form 20-F. North America remains the largest geographic market, so U.S. airline demand and trade policy still matter.

05 Risk factors

What could break the thesis

Supply chain bottlenecks

High impact · High odds

Embraer has orders, but it still needs engines, structural parts, fasteners, and other components on time. Management said 2026 supply is improving, yet a few bottlenecks remain. If parts arrive late, deliveries can slip and revenue can move into later periods.

We watchQuarterly commercial and executive jet deliveries versus guidance.

E175-E2 stays frozen

Medium impact · High odds

The E175-E2 development pause was extended for another four years. The aircraft does not fit current U.S. regional airline scope clauses, which limit what regional carriers can fly. If those rules do not change, Embraer loses a potential upgrade path in an important market.

We watchAny change in U.S. pilot scope clauses and any restart date for E175-E2 development.

Trade policy reverses

Medium impact · Medium odds

Management said Embraer aircraft, engines, and parts are exempt from the 10% U.S. import tariff. That removes a near-term margin drag and helps the company compete. The risk is that U.S. trade policy changes again and brings the cost back.

We watchNew U.S. tariff actions that name Brazilian aircraft, aircraft parts, or engines.

Defense awards take longer

Medium impact · Medium odds

Defense demand looks better, but government aircraft deals are slow and political. The India request for 60 military aircraft could be important, yet timing and final selection are uncertain. Delays would not break Embraer, but they could push out a key growth story.

We watchIndia RFP decision timing and new C-390 firm orders.

Customer credit stress

Medium impact · Medium odds

Some airline customers have been through restructurings. Embraer has already booked major write-offs tied to those issues, but customer stress can still hurt services revenue and collections. This matters because Services & Support is a key profit driver.

We watchBad debt provisions and comments on airline customer restructurings.
06 Quick answers

In one breath

What does Embraer sell?

Embraer sells commercial jets, business jets, military aircraft, and aircraft support services. It also owns most of Eve, which is developing electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.

Why does the backlog matter for Embraer?

Backlog is the value of aircraft and service work already ordered but not yet delivered. Embraer's record $31.6 billion backlog shows strong demand, but the company still has to build and deliver the aircraft.

What is the biggest risk for Embraer now?

The biggest risk is supply chain friction. Even with strong orders, missing engines, structural parts, or fasteners can slow deliveries and push revenue into future quarters.

Why is the E175-E2 paused?

The E175-E2 is paused because it does not comply with U.S. regional airline scope clauses. Those rules limit the size and weight of aircraft that regional airlines can operate for major airlines.