Final Results
General Electric Company
17 January 2003
GE 2002 Earnings Grow 7% To $15.1 Billion;
Cash Flow Ex-Progress Grows 10% to $15.2 Billion
FAIRFIELD, Conn., January 17, 2003--GE achieved a record $15.1 billion in
earnings in 2002, a 7% increase over 2001, and, excluding progress collections,
generated $15.2 billion in cash from operating activities, up 10%, the Company
announced today.
'GE delivered solid results in a very challenging economy, with excellent
performances by several businesses and one major disappointment,' said GE
Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt. 'Power Systems, NBC, Commercial Finance, Consumer
Finance, and Medical Systems all had record years. We also had remarkable
performances by Aircraft Engines and Aviation Services, our aircraft leasing
business, in the worst year for aviation in recent memory. Our businesses posted
impressive customer wins and continued to invest in technologies and services
that will position them for long-term success. I'm proud of the performance of
the GE team in such a tough environment.'
'Our major disappointment was Employers Reinsurance Corporation (ERC),' Immelt
said. 'As we announced in November, poor underwriting in past years resulted in
much higher losses for ERC, as well as the entire reinsurance industry. We have
a strong team in place at ERC improving its operations and driving a return to
profitability in 2003.'
GE will provide more detail about results on a conference call and Webcast to be
held at 8:30 a.m. EDT today. Call information and related charts are available
at www.ge.com/investor.
Highlights of preliminary fourth-quarter and full-year 2002 results:
• Fourth quarter earnings of $3.102 billion, or $.31 per share, reflect a
previously announced charge for adverse development at ERC and decreased 21%
from $3.933 billion, or $.39 per share, in fourth quarter 2001. Fourth quarter
earnings also include the effects of a $514 million gain from NBC's exchange of
certain assets for the cable network Bravo; during the quarter NBC and other
industrial businesses recorded $301 million after tax of restructuring and other
charges.
• Fourth quarter revenues were a record $35.4 billion, up 4% over last year's
$34.0 billion. Industrial sales increased 8% over fourth quarter 2001, with
product services growing 18% to $6.3 billion. Financial Services revenues were
$15.5 billion, down 3% on lower interest rates, while net revenues (revenues
less interest costs) at Commercial Finance, Consumer Finance and Equipment
Management grew 17%.
• Full-year 2002 earnings before required accounting changes grew 7% to a record
$15.1 billion, or $1.51 per share, from last year's $14.1 billion, or $1.41 per
share. Earnings after accounting changes, described below, were $14.1 billion,
or $1.41 per share in 2002, compared with last year's $13.7 billion, or $1.37
per share.
• Cash generated from GE's operating activities in 2002, excluding progress
collections, was $15.2 billion, up 10% from $13.8 billion last year. Reflecting
lower progress collections from the record levels of last year, reported cash
from operating activities decreased 41% to $10.1 billion from $17.2 billion in
2001.
• Consolidated 2002 revenues of $131.7 billion increased 5% from $125.9 billion
in 2001. Industrial sales increased 8% in 2002, with double-digit growth at
Power Systems, NBC, Specialty Materials and Industrial Systems. Revenues at GE's
financial services businesses were flat at $58.2 billion on lower interest
rates, while net revenues at Commercial Finance, Consumer Finance and Equipment
Management grew 15%.
• Operating margin for 2002 was 19.1%, down from last year's record 19.6%,
reflecting the effects of the Winter Olympics, fourth-quarter 2002 restructuring
and other charges, and continued pricing pressure at short-cycle businesses.
Full-year pre-tax savings from digitization totaled $1.6 billion.
• Accounting changes were required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board
(FASB) in the first quarters of 2002 and 2001. In first quarter 2002, GE
recorded a non-cash transition charge to earnings of $1.015 billion, or $.10 per
share, for impairment of goodwill as required for adoption of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards 142 (SFAS 142). In the first quarter of 2001, GE
recorded a one-time, non-cash transition charge of $444 million, or $.04 per
share, as required for adoption of new accounting rules for derivatives,
warrants, options and other financial instruments.
As required by SFAS 142, as of January 1, 2002, goodwill is no
longer amortized. Without goodwill amortization in 2001, EPS
in 2002 would have been the same as 2001. On the same basis,
and without the fourth-quarter charge for ERC, EPS would have
increased 9%.
'GE businesses strengthened their leadership positions in 2002, and they are
positioned for solid operating performance in 2003,' Immelt said. 'We expect to
deliver earnings per share growth between 3% and 13%, with broad-based earnings
growth at our businesses. Power Systems will experience the long-anticipated
decline in U.S. gas turbine sales. However, Power's energy services, oil and
gas, and renewable energy businesses will grow earnings in excess of 20%.
'This year we also achieved a number of strategic objectives that position GE
for long-term growth,' Immelt said. 'We maintained our triple-A credit ratings
and strengthened our financial flexibility. We implemented a set of principles
that position GE as a leader in governance and transparency. We have a full
pipeline of new products and an $85 billion multi-year services backlog. We are
growing revenues 40% a year in China. We are building new platforms in security,
water technology, healthcare information technology, wind energy and Hispanic
media. The GE we are building -- a technology, services and financial company --
will continue our record of superior long-term growth through the cycles.'
Fourth Quarter 2002 Business Highlights
GE Power Systems
-- 53 heavy-duty gas turbines shipped, including 32 from
Greenville, South Carolina; 323 for the year, including 244
from Greenville.
-- Test operation of the first H System(TM), the most powerful
and efficient gas-fired turbine yet developed.
-- 40 new Energy Services contractual agreements worth $2.5
billion; agreements now in place for 1,452 gas turbines at 582
sites worldwide.
-- Oil & Gas orders worth $706 million, up 16%.
-- Wind Energy holding master agreements and commitments for
1,000-plus turbines.
-- Agreed to acquire leading reciprocating gas engine supplier
Jenbacher A.G.
GE Medical Systems
-- Total orders up 7% to nearly $3.0 billion.
-- 193 orders for LightSpeed(16) multi-slice CT (computed
tomography) scanners, bringing total to 341 since June 2002
introduction.
-- Ultrasound orders up 18% to $341 million, with introduction of
Voluson 730 4D Ultrasound System and launch of GE LogiqBook
portable ultrasound system.
-- Surgical and vascular imaging up 21% to $250 million, led by
Innova 2000 digital cardiovascular system.
-- China orders up 80% to $187 million, with strength across all
modalities.
-- Information Technology (IT) orders up 30%, with strength in
Clinical IT through acquisitions and launch of Centricity
systems for hospital networking and information archiving.
-- Medical services orders up 12% to $760 million.
-- Agreed to acquire leading operating room IT provider
Instrumentarium.
GE Aircraft Engines
-- Selected by AVIC I Commercial Aircraft Co. Ltd. of China to
provide CF34-10 engines for new fleet of regional jets.
-- CFM56-5B engine of CFMI (jointly owned by GE and Snecma)
chosen by easyJet to power 120 Airbus A319s; order valued at
$1.2 billion.
-- Orders from EVA, Pakistan International Airlines, Thai Airways
International, China Air; CFMI orders from International Lease
Finance Corporation and Aeroflot.
-- Total service orders up more than 25%, driven mostly by higher
spare parts volume.
-- New multi-year service agreements totaling $2.9 billion,
including $2.3 billion agreement with FedEx.
-- Military orders strong, with spare parts orders up 18%.
-- First F110-GE-132 engine, the highest-thrust fighter engine
ever developed for the F-16 aircraft, delivered to Lockheed
Martin for flight tests.
Commercial Finance
-- Assets up 14% to $196 billion.
-- Core growth and lower losses drive 30% net income growth.
-- Asset quality high -- stable delinquency rates, percentage of
non-earning assets down over third quarter.
-- Completed acquisitions of Deutsche Financial Services'
commercial inventory financing business and most of ABB's
structured finance operations.
Consumer Finance
-- Assets up 22% to $77 billion.
-- Core growth, double-digit productivity gains drive 15% net
income growth.
-- Asset quality high -- delinquencies stable, losses as
percentage of outstanding receivables well below average of
top 100 banks.
-- Completed acquisition of WKV Bank, provider of personal and
vehicle loan financing in Germany.
NBC
-- Continued ratings leadership in key advertising demographic,
adults 18-49, in virtually every major daypart, including
morning news, daytime, primetime, evening news, late-night and
Sunday-morning public affairs.
-- Primetime ratings 18 percent higher than those of closest
competitor -- largest fourth-quarter lead of any network in
five years.
-- No. 1 comedy (Friends) and No. 1 drama (ER) for quarter and
the year.
-- Friends to return in the fall for a 10th season.
-- CNBC business-day ratings up 7% among adults 25-54.
-- Twelve out of NBC's 14 local stations rated No. 1 during
November sweeps.
-- Telemundo earnings more than doubled.
-- Acquired cable entertainment network Bravo.
GE Specialty Materials
-- $260 million in revenues at GE Betz, water technology
platform.
-- Agreement to acquire high-tech water purification and fluid
filtration manufacturer Osmonics.
-- Osmonics to be combined with GE Betz and unit of Power Systems
into GE Water, a new Specialty Materials unit.
GE Transportation Systems
-- Nearly $600 million in new orders, for total of $2.8 billion
in new orders in 2002.
-- GE Evolution Series locomotive launched at ceremony with the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Meets EPS's 2005
regulations now, cuts greenhouse gas emissions and soot by
40%, and provides greater fuel economy.
GE (NYSE: GE) is a diversified technology and services company dedicated to
creating products that make life better. From aircraft engines and power
generation to financial services, medical imaging, television programming and
plastics, GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000
people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at
http://www.ge.com.
Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This document includes certain 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are
based on management's current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and
changes in circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from these
expectations due to changes in global political, economic, business,
competitive, market and regulatory factors. More detailed information about
those factors is contained in GE's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
CONTACT: General Electric, Fairfield
David Frail, 203/373-3387
david.frail@corporate.ge.com
GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Condensed Statement of Earnings
Financial
Services
Consolidated GE (GECS)
------------------ ------------------- ------------------
Fourth
quarter
ended
December 31 2002 2001 V% 2002 2001 V% 2002 2001 V%
------------ ------ ------ --- ------- ------- --- ------- ----- ---
Revenues
Sales of
goods
and
services $20,437 $18,987 $19,724 $18,221 $802 $821
Earnings
of GECS
before
accounting
changes - - 91 1,407 - -
GECS
revenues
from
services 14,526 14,983 - - 14,653 15,112
Other
income 415 5 431 48 - -
------ ------ ------- ------- ------- ------
Total
revenues 35,378 33,975 4% 20,246 19,676 3% 15,455 15,933 (3)%
------ ------ ------- ------- ------- ------
Costs and expenses
Cost of
sales,
operating
and admini-
strative
expenses 22,520 20,759 16,262 14,430 6,418 6,466
Interest
and
other
financial
charges 2,626 2,639 125 203 2,573 2,526
Insurance
losses
and policy-
holder and
annuity
benefits 6,143 4,209 - - 6,143 4,209
Provision
for
losses
on
financing
receiv-
ables 1,000 935 - - 1,000 935
Minority
interest
in net
earnings
of
consolidated
affiliates 76 86 46 49 30 37
------ ------ ------- ------- ------- ------
Total
costs
and
expenses 32,365 28,628 13% 16,433 14,682 12% 16,164 14,173 14%
------ ------ ------- ------- ------- ------
Earnings
before income
taxes and
accounting
changes 3,013 5,347 3,813 4,994 (709) 1,760
Provision for
income taxes 89 (1,414) (711) (1,061) 800 (353)
------ ------ ------- ------- ------- ------
Earnings
before
accounting
changes $3,102 $3,933 (21)% $3,102 $3,933 (21)% $91 $1,407(94)%
Cumulative
effect of
accounting
changes - - - - - -
------ ------- ------- ------ ----- ------
Net earnings $3,102 $3,933 (21)% $3,102 $3,933 (21)% $91 $1,407(94)%
====== ======= ======= ====== ===== ======
Per-share
amounts
before
accounting
changes
(in dollars)
Diluted
earnings
per share $0.31 $0.39 (21)%
Basic
earnings
per share $0.31 $0.40 (23)%
Per-share
amounts
after
accounting
changes
(in dollars)
Diluted
earnings
per share $0.31 $0.39 (21)%
Basic
earnings
per share $0.31 $0.40 (23)%
Dividends
declared
per share
(in dollars) $0.19 $0.18
Dollar amounts in millions; per-share amounts in dollars; unaudited.
Supplemental consolidating data are shown for 'GE' and 'Financial
Services (GECS).' Transactions between GE and Financial Services
(GECS) have been eliminated from the 'consolidated' columns. See note
1 to the consolidated financial statements in the 2001 Annual Report
to Share Owners for further information about consolidation matters.
GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Condensed Statement of Earnings
Financial
Services
Consolidated GE (GECS)
------------------ -------------------- ----------------
Years ended
December 31 2002 2001 V% 2002 2001 V% 2002 2001 V%
------------ ------ ------- -- -------- ------- --- ------ ------ --
Revenues
Sales of
goods and
services $76,234 $71,399 $73,317 $68,018 $3,296 $3,627
Earnings
of GECS
before
accounting
changes - - 4,626 5,586 - -
GECS
revenues
from
services 54,451 54,280 - - 54,891 54,726
Other
income 1,013 234 1,106 433 - -
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------
Total
revenues 131,698 125,913 5% 79,049 74,037 7% 58,187 58,353 0%
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------
Costs and expenses
Cost of
sales,
operating
and admini-
strative
expenses 81,570 77,259 59,327 54,714 22,867 23,083
Interest
and other
financial
charges 10,216 11,062 569 817 9,935 10,598
Insurance
losses
and policy-
holder and
annuity
benefits 17,608 15,062 - - 17,608 15,062
Provision
for
losses on
financing
receiv-
ables 3,087 2,481 - - 3,087 2,481
Minority
interest
in net
earnings
of
consolidated
affiliates 326 348 183 185 143 163
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------
Total
costs
and
expenses 112,807 106,212 6% 60,079 55,716 8% 53,640 51,387 4%
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------
Earnings
before
income
taxes and
accounting
changes 18,891 19,701 18,970 18,321 4,547 6,966
Provision
for income
taxes (3,758) (5,573) (3,837) (4,193) 79 (1,380)
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------
Earnings
before
accounting
changes $15,133 $14,128 7% $15,133 $14,128 7% $4,626 $5,586(17)%
Cumulative
effect of
accounting
changes (1,015) (444) (1,015) $(444) $(1,015) $(169)
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------
Net
earnings $14,118 $13,684 3% $14,118 $13,684 3% $3,611 $5,417(33)%
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======
Per-share
amounts
before
accounting
changes
(in dollars)
Diluted
earnings
per share $1.51 $1.41 7%
Basic
earnings
per share $1.52 $1.42 7%
Per-share
amounts
after
accounting
changes
(in dollars)
Diluted
earnings
per share $1.41 $1.37 3%
Basic
earnings
per share $1.42 $1.38 3%
Dividends
declared
per share
(in dollars) $0.73 $0.66
Dollar amounts in millions; per-share amounts in dollars; unaudited.
Supplemental consolidating data are shown for 'GE' and 'Financial
Services (GECS).' Transactions between GE and Financial Services
(GECS) have been eliminated from the 'consolidated' columns. See note
1 to the consolidated financial statements in the 2001 Annual Report
to Share Owners for further information about consolidation matters.
Summary of Operating Segments 4Q 2002
----------------------------------------------------------------------
General Electric Company and Consolidated Affiliates
FOURTH QUARTER TOTAL YEAR
-------------------- ----------------------
(Dollars in millions) 2002 2001 V% 2002 2001 V%
Revenues
Aircraft Engines 3,079 2,745 12 11,141 11,389 (2)
Commercial Finance
Commercial Equipment
Financing 1,476 1,342 10 5,005 4,535 10
Real Estate 590 389 52 2,160 1,919 13
Aviation Services (GECAS) 702 571 23 2,694 2,173 24
Structured Finance Group 328 231 42 1,243 1,093 14
Commercial Finance 571 353 62 2,350 1,786 32
Vendor Financial
Services 684 604 13 2,342 2,095 12
Other Commercial Finance 66 279 (76) 246 279 (12)
--------------- -----------------
Total Commercial
Finance 4,417 3,769 17 16,040 13,880 16
Consumer Finance
Global Consumer Finance 1,731 1,497 16 6,489 5,561 17
GE Card Services 1,000 902 11 3,777 3,947 (4)
Other Consumer Finance (1) (1) - - - -
--------------- -----------------
Total Consumer Finance 2,730 2,398 14 10,266 9,508 8
Consumer Products
Appliances 1,518 1,558 (3) 6,072 5,810 5
Lighting 702 753 (7) 2,384 2,625 (9)
--------------- -----------------
Total Consumer Products 2,220 2,311 (4) 8,456 8,435 -
Equipment Management 1,100 1,089 1 4,254 4,401 (3)
Industrial Products
and Systems
Industrial Systems 1,348 1,071 26 4,968 4,440 12
Transportation 717 640 12 2,314 2,355 (2)
GE Supply 685 592 16 2,473 2,302 7
--------------- -----------------
Total Industrial
Products and Systems 2,750 2,303 19 9,755 9,097 7
Insurance
GE Financial Assurance 3,308 3,444 (4) 12,317 12,826 (4)
Mortgage Insurance 289 249 16 1,090 1,075 1
GE Global
Insurance Holdings 2,364 2,707 (13) 9,432 9,453 -
Other GE Insurance 107 137 (22) 457 536 (15)
--------------- -----------------
Total Insurance 6,068 6,537 (7) 23,296 23,890 (2)
Materials
Plastics 1,317 1,186 11 5,245 5,252 -
Specialty Materials 708 412 72 2,406 1,817 32
--------------- -----------------
Total Materials 2,025 1,598 27 7,651 7,069 8
NBC 1,794 1,537 17 7,149 5,769 24
Power Systems 6,006 5,771 4 22,926 20,211 13
Technical Products
and Services
Medical Systems 2,750 2,629 5 8,955 8,409 6
GXS - 130 U 311 602 (48)
--------------- -----------------
Total Technical
Products and Services 2,750 2,759 - 9,266 9,011 3
All Other GECS 1,140 2,140 (47) 4,331 6,674 (35)
Eliminations and
corporate items (701) (982) 29 (2,833) (3,421) 17
---------------- ------------------
Consolidated revenues $35,378 $33,975 4 $131,698 $125,913 5
================ ==================
Summary of Operating Segments 4Q 2002
----------------------------------------------------------------------
General Electric Company and Consolidated Affiliates
FOURTH QUARTER TOTAL YEAR
------------------ --------------------
(Dollars in millions) 2002 2001 V% 2002 2001 V%
Segment profit (a)
Aircraft Engines 561 555 1 2,060 2,147 (4)
Commercial Finance
Commercial Equipment
Financing 269 217 24 786 642 22
Real Estate 141 64 F 618 489 26
Aviation Services (GECAS) 98 102 (4) 439 475 (8)
Structured Finance Group 103 61 69 479 386 24
Commercial Finance 137 48 F 587 368 60
Vendor Financial Services 137 121 13 369 320 15
Other Commercial Finance (30) 47 U (93) 44 U
--------------- -----------------
Total Commercial Finance 855 660 30 3,185 2,724 17
Consumer Finance
Global Consumer Finance 263 229 15 1,260 1,039 21
GE Card Services 139 121 15 675 669 1
Other Consumer Finance (1) (2) 50 (5) (6) 17
--------------- -----------------
Total Consumer Finance 401 348 15 1,930 1,702 13
Consumer Products
Appliances 122 128 (5) 451 406 11
Lighting 17 75 (77) 44 242 (82)
--------------- -----------------
Total Consumer Products 139 203 (32) 495 648 (24)
Equipment Management 89 (5) F 311 359 (13)
Industrial Products
and Systems
Industrial Systems 132 110 20 488 527 (7)
Transportation 134 120 12 402 400 1
GE Supply 32 30 7 109 99 10
--------------- -----------------
Total Industrial
Products and Systems 298 260 15 999 1,026 (3)
Insurance
GE Financial Assurance 236 249 (5) 644 726 (11)
Mortgage Insurance 103 76 36 460 407 13
GE Global Insurance
Holdings (1,515) (25) U (1,827) 32 U
Other GE Insurance 46 65 (29) 214 169 27
--------------- -----------------
Total Insurance (1,130) 365 U (509) 1,334 U
Materials
Plastics 137 215 (36) 843 1,166 (28)
Specialty Materials 85 30 F 282 267 6
--------------- -----------------
Total Materials 222 245 (9) 1,125 1,433 (21)
NBC 470 412 14 1,658 1,408 18
Power Systems 1,375 1,628 (16) 6,255 4,860 29
Technical Products
and Services
Medical Systems 532 505 5 1,546 1,498 3
GXS - 29 U 16 125 (87)
--------------- -----------------
Total Technical
Products and Services 532 534 - 1,562 1,623 (4)
All Other GECS (124) 172 U (291) 19 U
--------------- -----------------
Total segment profit 3,688 5,377 (31) 18,780 19,283 (3)
GECS goodwill amortization (133) F (552) F
Corporate items and
eliminations 250 (47) F 759 407 86
GE interest and other
financial charges (125) (203) 38 (569) (817) 30
GE provision for
income taxes (711) (1,061) 33 (3,837) (4,193) 8
--------------- -----------------
Net earnings before
accounting changes 3,102 3,933 (21) 15,133 14,128 7
Effect of accounting
changes (1,015) (444)
-------------- ----------------
Consolidated net earnings $3,102 $3,933 (21) $14,118 $13,684 3
============== ================
(a) Segment profit excludes any goodwill amortization and accounting
changes. Segment profit includes or excludes interest and other
financial charges and segment income taxes according to how
segment management is measured - excluded in determining operating
profit for Aircraft Engines, Consumer Products, Industrial
Products and Systems, Materials, NBC, Power Systems and Technical
Products and Services, but included in determining net earnings
for Commercial Finance, Consumer Finance, Equipment Management,
Insurance and All Other GECS.
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