10-QPeriod: Q3 FY2000

GENERAL ELECTRIC CO Quarterly Report for Q3 Ended Sep 30, 2000

Filed October 26, 2000For Securities:GE

Summary

General Electric Company (GE) reported strong financial results for the third quarter and the first nine months of 2000, demonstrating continued growth and profitability. Net earnings increased by 20% for the quarter and year-to-date, reaching $3.18 billion and $9.15 billion, respectively. This growth was driven by robust performance across its diverse business segments, including significant gains in Power Systems, NBC, and GE Capital Services. Revenues also saw substantial increases, with consolidated revenues up 18% for the quarter and 20% year-to-date. The company highlighted the positive impact of its strategic initiatives, such as a focus on product services, Six Sigma quality, and e-Business. GE Capital Services, in particular, showed a 17% earnings increase, bolstered by globalization, diversification, and strategic acquisitions like the Toho Mutual Life Insurance deal. The company also repurchased a significant amount of its stock, indicating confidence in its financial health and commitment to shareholder returns.

Key Highlights

  • 1Record net earnings for both the third quarter ($3.18 billion, up 20%) and the first nine months ($9.15 billion, up 20%) of 2000.
  • 2Consolidated revenues reached a record $32.0 billion in the third quarter, an 18% increase year-over-year, and $94.9 billion year-to-date, a 20% increase.
  • 3GE Capital Services (GECS) delivered a strong performance with a 17% increase in earnings to $1.478 billion for the quarter, driven by globalization and acquisitions.
  • 4Significant growth in key industrial segments including Power Systems (revenue up 43%, profit up 69%), NBC (revenue up 76% due to Olympics, profit up 10%), and Plastics (revenue up 17%, profit up 25%).
  • 5GE continued its commitment to shareholder returns by repurchasing $495 million of its stock in the third quarter, as part of its ongoing $22 billion repurchase program.
  • 6The company's operating margin improved to 16.6% for the quarter and 18.1% year-to-date, benefiting from product services, Six Sigma, and e-Business initiatives.
  • 7GE announced a pending tax-free merger agreement with Honeywell on October 22, 2000, subsequent to the reporting period.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Electric Company reported record net earnings of $3.18 billion for the third quarter of 2000, a 20% increase compared to the same period in 1999. Consolidated revenues also reached a record $32.0 billion, up 18% year-over-year, reflecting broad-based growth across its industrial and financial services businesses.

GE Capital Services delivered strong results, with earnings increasing by 17% to $1.478 billion for the third quarter. This growth was attributed to its diversified global operations and successful acquisitions, including the assumption of liabilities from Toho Mutual Life Insurance of Japan.

Several industrial segments experienced significant growth. Power Systems saw a 43% revenue increase driven by higher gas turbine volume and product services. NBC's revenue surged 76%, largely due to Olympic Games coverage. Plastics and Technical Products & Services also reported double-digit revenue and profit growth, benefiting from increased volume and improved selling prices in some areas.

GE continued its aggressive share repurchase program, buying back $495 million of its stock in the third quarter. The company remains committed to returning value to shareholders, as evidenced by a 17% increase in the per-share dividend rate for the first nine months of 2000 compared to the prior year.