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GE Lives Up to Its Word

by: Andrew Snyder October 10, 2008 | about stocks: GE    

Andrew Snyder

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The equities market is overflowing with rumors, bad news, and speculation of pain to come. Yesterday’s huge drop hurt and it may continue for at least part of the day today. But there is a glimmer of hope.

Dow-component and mega-conglomerate General Electric (NYSE:GE) announced its quarterly earnings before the sun rose on Manhattan. Although the estimated figures were revised just a few weeks ago by the corporation, Wall Street breathed a sigh of relief when the company met its forecasted earnings.

GE posted profits of just over $34 billion during the third quarter, a drop of 22% from this time last year. On a per share basis, the company earned $0.45. It was almost exactly in-line with analyst expectations. It is good news, but not a huge surprise by any means.

On September 25, GE’s executives drastically cut the firm’s Q3 earnings estimates and promised its new figures would be accurate. Fortunately, the accountants kept to their word and the Street is not dealing with any big surprises this morning.

Still some strength left

One interesting note in GE’s report is the profit it made in its massive financial division. Even with some of the nation’s largest banks going belly up, GE managed to earn $2 billion from banking operations. The figure is down over 30% from this time last year, but it is proof the company’s balance sheet remains strong.

Today will likely be another haywire day for the Dow. With volatility indexes at laughable levels, wide swings are not only possible, they are highly probably.

Thanks to strongholds like General Electric, we will be through this mess before too long.

Disclosure: none

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This article has 6 comments:

  •  
    Oct 10 08:51 AM
    Please check your numbers.... where did you take a Q3 profits of $34 Billion. Earnings I believe from cont. operations are $4.48 Billion
    Reply
  •  
    Oct 10 09:34 AM
    I thought GE had a very long history of managed earnings, so for them managing to keep their word is not surprising. (as a conglomerate they have massive opportunities to defer various gains or losses to the next quarter....)
    Reply
  •  
    Oct 10 01:46 PM
    I took a small nibble at GE today and added to my position. I remain concerned about the finance division but over the next 18 to 24 months, may end up with a big fat smile and profit...
    Reply
  •  
    Oct 10 05:37 PM
    As a long term (30+yrs) sharelholder, I hope you are right. I am debating doubling down, but so far have not worked up the courage.
    Reply
  •  
    Oct 11 07:59 AM
    Double.
    Reply
  •  
    Oct 11 10:24 PM
    warren buffett owns at 22.15. it's a good sign when the other companies are getting slaughtered and this stock is hanging around 22.15.
    Reply
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