GE fourth-quarter total revenues increase 4% to $38.0 billion

GE [NYSE: GE] announced today fourth-quarter 2011 Operating Earnings of $4.1 billion, or $0.39 per share, up 6% and 11% respectively from the fourth-quarter of 2010. Revenues were $38.0 billion for the quarter and $147.3 billion for the year. Record Infrastructure orders of $28.6 billion in the fourth quarter enabled GE to end the year with a backlog of $200 billion, the largest in its history.

"GE's portfolio demonstrated strength and resilience, delivering earnings growth for the seventh consecutive quarter while also generating substantial operating cash flow to support investment in our business and dividend growth," said GE Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt. "We are confident in our 2012 framework to realize double-digit earnings growth in our Industrial and Capital segments, increase margins and provide dividend growth to our shareholders in line with earnings."

Immelt continued, "We expect continued volatility in 2012 and have prepared for it by investing in new products and technology, expanding our growth market footprint and taking important steps to strengthen risk management. GE Capital is safe and secure and rebounding sharply. We are restructuring our businesses in Europe to reflect market conditions."

Infrastructure orders for the quarter were $28.6 billion, up 15% from the prior year. Organic orders grew 9% in the fourth quarter, marking the seventh consecutive quarter of positive growth, and Industrial emerging market orders were up 26%. Equipment book-to-bill was 1.23 for the quarter and 1.14 for the year. Strong Energy and Aviation orders led the growth. Orders for the quarter included: Emirates ordering 50 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft powered by GE Aviation's GE90 engines and signing a 12-year service agreement. GE also signed contracts totaling almost $300 million with the Saudi Electricity Company to supply 13 gas turbines and associated services for the expansion of six power plants at various locations across the country.

Total revenues for the quarter were $38.0 billion, up 4% excluding the impact of NBCU. GE's fourth-quarter Industrial segment revenues were $26.8 billion, up 10%. Industrial segment organic revenue was up 5% for the quarter. Industrial emerging market revenues were up 25%, driven by double-digit growth in Brazil, Russia, China, India and the ASEAN region. Revenues were negatively impacted by lower Ending Net Investment (ENI) at GE Capital, FX and slower growth in Europe.

Industrial segment profit was up 2% to $4.3 billion for the fourth quarter. Segment operating profit margins showed improvement from the prior quarter, increasing 2.5 points, but were down from the fourth quarter of 2010. Cash generated from Industrial operating activities for 2011 totaled $12.1 billion and was a record $5.5 billion for the quarter.

GE's investment in research and development (R&D) in 2011 was 16% higher than in 2010 and will help the company launch more than 800 new products in 2012. GE's businesses are positioned to capitalize on the investment the company has made in R&D by enabling it to successfully launch technologically advanced new products such as the LEAP-X engine, which allows airlines to operate their planes more cost effectively and with lower emissions. The engine, which is produced by CFM International (a 50/50 joint venture between GE and Snecma), recently garnered more than $4 billion in commitments at the Dubai Air Show. GE's technological advances also include its latest innovation in gas turbine technology, the FlexEfficiency 50 Combined Cycle Power Plant. The FlexEfficiency 50, which applies jet engine technology to a gas turbine, significantly reduces the amount of fuel needed to create power. Other new products GE has recently introduced include the Discovery IGS 730, a new mobile and robotic interventional X-Ray.

Immelt added, "GE Capital, like our Industrial businesses, is stronger and competitively positioned to win. GE Capital is poised to grow double-digit in 2012, while continuing to shrink its balance sheet and strengthen its capital and liquidity positions. GE Capital volume grew to $49 billion, up 13% from the third quarter and margins remained healthy at 5.4%. Tier One common ratios are now at 11.4% and 9.9% and remain a source of strength. As we have previously stated, we expect to restart the dividend from GE Capital to GE this year, subject to Federal Reserve review."

GE Capital's fourth-quarter earnings were $1.6 billion, up 58% from the prior year. GE Capital made significant strides during the fourth-quarter in achieving its strategic objectives of generating attractive returns, diversifying its funding base and positioning the business for long-term growth. In December, GE Capital announced that its wholly-owned bank subsidiary, GE Capital Financial, would acquire MetLife's U.S. retail deposit business that consists of approximately $7.5 billion in U.S. deposits and an established online banking platform. This acquisition, subject to regulatory approval, will accelerate GE Capital's plans to launch a U.S. deposit platform, helps build a stronger and more cost-efficient funding base and allows GE Capital to better serve its middle-market commercial customers. GE Capital's ENI, net of cash, was $445 billion at quarter-end, almost one year ahead of previously planned reductions. By continuing to focus on high-return segments, GE Capital targets further reducing ENI to a range of $425 - $440 billion in 2012, while still growing earnings double-digits.

At year-end, GE had $85 billion of cash and cash equivalents. GE's strong cash position enabled the Company to repurchase $5.4 billion of stock during the year, including $3.3 billion for the preferred stock held by Berkshire Hathaway, and has supported $7.1 billion in stock repurchases since the buyback was restarted in 2010.

In addition, GE has taken a number of steps to increase shareholder value over the past year. In December, GE's Board of Directors raised the Company's quarterly dividend $0.02 to $0.17 per outstanding share of the Company's common stock. This increase represented the Company's fourth increase in two years.

Immelt concluded, "We finish 2011 with momentum and are positioned for a strong 2012. Our Industrial businesses are positioned for growth. GE Capital is strong and profitable. We have substantial cash available to improve shareholder returns. The Company is positioned to perform for investors."

Fourth-quarter and Full-year 2011 Financial Highlights:

Fourth-quarter Operating Earnings were $4.1 billion, up 6% from $3.9 billion in the fourth-quarter of 2010 and Operating EPS was $0.39, up 11% from the fourth quarter of last year. GAAP earnings from continuing operations (attributable to GE) were $3.9 billion, or $0.37 per share, up 1% and 3% respectively from the prior year quarter.

Including the effects of discontinued operations, fourth-quarter net earnings attributable to GE were $3.7 billion in 2011 ($0.35 per share attributable to common shareowners), compared with $4.5 billion in the fourth quarter of 2010 ($0.42 per share attributable to common shareowners), down 18%. This decrease was driven by discontinued operations which included $0.06 per share of gains related to dispositions in 2010 and a ($0.02) per share adjustment to reserves in 2011.

Positive items related to tax audit resolutions in the quarter were offset by restructuring and other one-time charges.

Fourth-quarter Revenues were $38.0 billion for the quarter, up 4% excluding the impact of NBCU and down 8% compared to revenues of $41.2 billion from the fourth quarter of 2010. Industrial sales of $26.7 billion increased 11% excluding the impact of NBCU and were down 7% compared to the fourth quarter of 2010. GE Capital Services revenues of $11.6 billion were down 9% from the fourth quarter of 2010.

Full-year Operating Earnings were $14.8 billion, up 20% from $12.3 billion in 2010, and Operating EPS excluding effects of the preferred redemption was $1.37, up 22%. Including effects of the preferred redemption, Operating EPS was $1.29, up 15% from last year. GAAP earnings from continuing operations (attributable to GE) were $14.1 billion, or $1.23 per share, up 12% and 8% respectively from the prior year.

Including the effects of discontinued operations, full-year net earnings attributable to GE were $14.2 billion in 2011 ($1.23 per share attributable to common shareowners), compared with $11.6 billion in 2010 ($1.06 per share attributable to common shareowners), up 22%.

Full-year Revenues were $147.3 billion, up 7% excluding the impact of NBCU, and were down 2% compared to revenues of $149.6 billion from the prior year. Industrial sales of $95.0 billion increased 12% excluding the impact of NBCU and were down 5% compared to 2010. GE Capital Services revenues of $49.1 billion were down 2% from 2010.

Cash generated from GE Industrial operating activities was a record $5.5 billion for the quarter and totaled $12.1 billion for 2011.