Growth in Boeing’s defense business, which won a lucrative series of military contracts this summer, pushed third-quarter sales higher than Wall Street expected despite a slowdown in commercial aircraft deliveries.

Companywide, revenue rose 4 percent to $25 billion in the three months through September, Boeing said Wednesday, topping the $24 billion that analysts expected. Net income climbed 31 percent to $2.3 billion, and Boeing raised its full-year profit forecast 4 percent to as much as $15.10 a share.