GE announced today third-quarter 2012 Operating Earnings of $3.8 billion, or $0.36 per share, up 10% and 50% respectively from the third quarter of 2011. Excluding the effects of the third-quarter 2011 preferred stock redemption, operating earnings per share rose 13%. GAAP earnings from continuing operations were $3.5 billion, or $0.33 per share (up 43%). Revenues were $36.3 billion for the quarter, up 3%, and up 6% excluding FX.
GE Capital remains on target to become a smaller, more focused financial services business with solid earnings. GE Capital earnings grew by 11% in the quarter and ENI was $425 billion at quarter end, ahead of plan. GE Capital Corporation (GECC) returned a $2.4 billion dividend to the parent in the quarter, bringing the year-to-date total to $5.4 billion. Its Tier 1 common ratio remains strong at 10.2%.
Industrial segment revenues grew by 6%, with organic growth of 8%. The strength of GE’s Industrial portfolio was evident. All Industrial segments had positive earnings growth for the first time since the third quarter of 2005; Energy Infrastructure, Transportation and Home & Business Solutions had double-digit earnings growth. The company is performing well and is on track to deliver double-digit earnings growth in 2012 for both Industrial and GE Capital segments.
“The overall environment remains challenging, but GE continues to execute on our growth strategy,” said GE Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt. “GE’s Industrial segments delivered another quarter of strong organic revenue growth, and we ended the quarter with a robust backlog. As expected, our margins increased 70bps over the prior year period, with margin expansion in all five Industrial segments.”
Immelt concluded, “We are focused on delivering our key commitments to investors including balanced double-digit earnings growth, strong organic growth, margin expansion, and returning cash from GE Capital to fund balanced capital allocation for our shareholders. The global economy is uncertain, and we are prepared for a variety of economic outcomes. We will continue to invest to win in our markets, while aggressively managing our overall cost structure.”
Read the full GE Third Quarter 2012 earnings release.