-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, DKeNvFBuR7PH4BVzEWb4s3qEFZqxHnGZ36SOa5EXsO2SUwjMfMVmPhcd+uZv4ipq Li6HhcoGBSZKBegAix8caA== 0000040545-02-000025.txt : 20020513 0000040545-02-000025.hdr.sgml : 20020513 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000040545-02-000025 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-Q PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20020331 FILED AS OF DATE: 20020513 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: GENERAL ELECTRIC CO CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000040545 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: ELECTRONIC & OTHER ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT (NO COMPUTER EQUIP) [3600] IRS NUMBER: 140689340 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NY FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-Q SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-00035 FILM NUMBER: 02643935 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3135 EASTON TURNPIKE STREET 2: W3M CITY: FAIRFIELD STATE: CT ZIP: 06431 BUSINESS PHONE: 203-373-2211 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3135 EASTON TURNPIKE CITY: FAIRFIELD STATE: CT ZIP: 06431 10-Q 1 frm10q.htm FORM 10-Q Form 10-Q

Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549


Form 10-Q



 

 (Mark One)
[x]  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2002

OR

[  ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 
For the transition period from ____ to ____ 
Commission file number 1-35
GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 
New York 
 14-0689340
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
   
3135 Easton Turnpike, Fairfield, CT
06431-0001
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

  (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) (203) 373-2211

 

Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report

          Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes    x      No __

          There were 9,937,771,000 shares with a par value of $0.06 per share outstanding at May 3, 2002.

 


General Electric Company

Part I. Financial Information   Page
      
    Item 1. Financial Statements    
             Statement of Earnings  
             Statement of Financial Position   4
             Statement of Cash Flows   5
             Summary of Operating Segments   6
             Notes to Financial Statements   7
 
    Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition   12
     
Part II. Other Information    
     
    Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K   23
    Signature   24

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.


Part I. Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

Condensed Statement of Earnings
General Electric Company and consolidated affiliates

Three months ended March 31 (Unaudited)
Consolidated
GE
GECS
(Dollars, except per-share amounts, in millions) 2002  2001  2002  2001  2002  2001 






Sales of goods    $ 12,546    $ 12,434    $ 11,730    $ 11,366    $ 816    $ 1,068 
Sales of services      4,942      4,426      5,018      4,484      –      – 
Earnings of GECS before accounting changes      –      –      1,657      1,401      –      – 
GECS revenues from services      12,978      13,574      –      –      13,083      13,655 
Other income      55      59      86      109      –      – 






   Total revenues      30,521      30,493      18,491      17,360      13,899      14,723 






Cost of goods sold      8,904      8,588      8,162      7,627      742      961 
Cost of services sold      3,443      3,205      3,519      3,263      –      – 
Interest and other financial charges      2,374      3,076      157      255      2,288      2,898 
Insurance losses and policyholder and annuity benefits      3,549      3,523      –      –      3,549      3,523 
Provision for losses on financing receivables      662      483      –      –      662      483 
Other costs and expenses      6,506      7,062      2,019      2,154      4,552      4,962 
Minority interest in net earnings of consolidated                                     
   affiliates       76      102      42      45      34      57 






   Total costs and expenses      25,514      26,039      13,899      13,344      11,827      12,884 






Earnings before income taxes and accounting changes      5,007      4,454      4,592      4,016      2,072      1,839 
Provision for income taxes      (1,489)     (1,437)     (1,074)     (999)     (415)     (438)






Earnings before accounting changes      3,518      3,017      3,518      3,017      1,657      1,401 
 
Cumulative effect of accounting changes (notes 3 and 4)     (1,015)     (444)     (1,015)     (444)     (1,015)     (169)






   Net earnings    $ 2,503    $ 2,573    $ 2,503    $ 2,573    $ 642    $ 1,232 






Per-share amounts before accounting changes                                     
   Diluted earnings per share    $ 0.35    $ 0.30                         
   Basic earnings per share    $ 0.35    $ 0.30                         
 
Per-share amounts after accounting changes                                     
   Diluted earnings per share    $ 0.25    $ 0.26                         
   Basic earnings per share    $ 0.25    $ 0.26                         
Dividends declared per share    $ 0.18    $ 0.16                         

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements. Consolidating data are shown for "GE" and "GECS." Transactions between GE and GECS have been eliminated from the "consolidated" columns.

Condensed Statement of Financial Position
General Electric Company and consolidated affiliates

Consolidated
GE
GECS
(Dollars in millions) 3/31/02   12/31/01  3/31/02   12/31/01  3/31/02   12/31/01 






Cash and equivalents    $ 9,442    $ 9,082    $ 6,512    $ 10,447    $ 7,219    $ 7,314 
Investment securities      101,814      101,017      876      879      100,938      100,138 
Current receivables      9,521      9,590      9,721      9,805      –      – 
Inventories      9,297      8,565      9,036      8,295      261      270 
Financing receivables – net      172,853      174,032      –      –      172,853      174,032 
Other GECS receivables      39,284      38,422      –      –      41,536      40,584 
Property, plant and equipment (including equipment                                     
   leased to others) – net      42,953      42,140      12,651      12,799      30,302      29,341 
Investment in GECS      –      –      28,350      28,590      –      – 
Intangible assets – net      31,715      31,649      13,999      12,932      17,716      18,717 
All other assets      83,857      80,526      28,459      25,986      56,010      55,088 






Total assets    $ 500,736    $ 495,023    $ 109,604    $ 109,733    $ 426,835    $ 425,484 






Short-term borrowings    $ 143,476    $ 153,076    $ 922    $ 1,722    $ 147,832    $ 160,844 
Accounts payable, principally trade accounts      17,660      18,158      6,457      6,680      13,509      13,705 
Progress collections and price adjustments accrued      11,005      11,751      11,005      11,751      –      – 
Other GE current liabilities      16,725      15,919      16,725      15,919      –      – 
Long-term borrowings      93,880      79,806      696      787      93,133      79,091 
Insurance liabilities, reserves and annuity benefits      115,190      114,223      –      –      115,190      114,223 
All other liabilities      33,192      32,921      16,624      16,089      16,388      16,647 
Deferred income taxes      9,216      9,130      1,084      1,013      8,132      8,117 






Total liabilities      440,344      434,984      53,513      53,961      394,184      392,627 






Minority interest in equity of consolidated  affiliates      5,221      5,215      920      948      4,301      4,267 






Accumulated gains/(losses) – net (a)                                    
   Investment securities      (679)     (232)     (679)     (232)     (769)     (348)
   Currency translation adjustments      (3,541)     (3,136)     (3,541)     (3,136)     (1,106)     (840)
   Derivatives qualifying as hedges      (592)     (955)     (592)     (955)     (554)     (890)
Common stock (9,932,767,000 and 9,925,938,000 
   shares outstanding at March 31, 2002                                    
    and December 31, 2001, respectively)     669      669      669      669         
Other capital      17,042      16,693      17,042      16,693      5,989      5,989 
Retained earnings      69,415      68,701      69,415      68,701      24,789      24,678 
Less common stock held in treasury      (27,143)     (26,916)     (27,143)     (26,916)     –      – 






Total share owners' equity      55,171      54,824      55,171      54,824      28,350      28,590 






Total liabilities and equity    $ 500,736    $ 495,023    $ 109,604    $ 109,733    $ 426,835    $ 425,484 







(a) The sum of accumulated gains/(losses) on currency translation adjustments, investment securities and derivatives qualifying as hedges constitutes "Accumulated nonowner changes other than earnings," and was $(4,812) million and $(4,323) million at March 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001, respectively.

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements. Consolidating data are shown for "GE" and "GECS." March 31, 2002, data are unaudited. Transactions between GE and GECS have been eliminated from the "consolidated" columns.


Condensed Statement of Cash Flows
General Electric Company and consolidated affiliates

Three months ended March 31 (Unaudited)
Consolidated
GE
GECS
(Dollars in millions) 2002  2001  2002  2001  2002  2001 






Cash flows – operating activities 
Net earnings    $ 2,503    $ 2,573    $ 2,503    $ 2,573    $ 642    $ 1,232 
   Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash                                      
      provided from operating activities                                     
         Cumulative effect of accounting changes      1,015      444      1,015      444      1,015      169 
            Depreciation and amortization of 
               property, plant and equipment      1,303      1,266      477      473      826      793 
            Amortization of goodwill      –      295      –      121      –      174 
            Earnings retained by GECS      –      –      (1,126)     (903)     –      – 
            Deferred income taxes      466      176      49      44      417      132 
            Decrease (increase) in GE current receivables      238      (351)     252      (317)     –      – 
            Decrease (increase) in inventories      (606)     (222)     (615)     (448)         226 
            Decrease in accounts payable      (406)     (634)     (283)     (172)     (45)     (466)
            Increase in insurance liabilities, reserves 
               and annuity benefits      2,059      1,437      –      –      2,059      1,437 
            Provision for losses on financing receivables      662      483      –      –      662      483 
            All other operating activities      (1,845)     (1,017)     (826)     1,241      (1,228)     (1,736)






Cash from operating activities      5,389      4,450      1,446      3,056      4,357      2,444 






Cash flows – investing activities                                     
Additions to property, plant and equipment      (3,455)     (2,499)     (414)     (670)     (3,041)     (1,829)
Net decrease (increase) in GECS financing receivables      (1,260)     1,095      –      –      (1,260)     1,095 
Payments for principal businesses purchased      (1,909)     (459)     (1,749)     (130)     (160)     (329)
All other investing activities      (2,455)     (591)     99      353      (2,585)     (1,321)






Cash used for investing activities      (9,079)     (2,454)     (2,064)     (447)     (7,046)     (2,384)






Cash flows – financing activities                                     
Net change in borrowings (maturities 90 days or less)     (11,649)     (2,070)     (566)     (20)     (15,202)     (1,602)
Newly issued debt (maturities longer than 90 days)     25,896      7,287      67      147      25,706      7,185 
Repayments and other reductions (maturities                                      
   longer than 90 days)     (7,684)     (4,680)     (459)     (224)     (7,225)     (4,456)
Net purchases of GE shares for treasury      (572)     (640)     (572)     (640)     –      – 
Dividends paid to share owners      (1,787)     (1,589)     (1,787)     (1,589)     (531)     (498)
All other financing activities      (154)     (322)     –      –      (154)     (322)






Cash from (used for) financing activities      4,050      (2,014)     (3,317)     (2,326)     2,594      307 






Increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents      360      (18)     (3,935)     283      (95)     367 
Cash and equivalents at beginning of year      9,082      8,195      10,447      7,210      7,314      6,052 






Cash and equivalents at March 31    $ 9,442    $ 8,177    $ 6,512    $ 7,493    $ 7,219    $ 6,419 







See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements. Consolidating data are shown for "GE" and "GECS." Transactions between GE and GECS have been eliminated from the "consolidated" columns

Summary of Operating Segments
General Electric Company and consolidated affiliates
First quarter ended
March 31 (Unaudited)

(Dollars in millions) 2002  2001 
                             

Revenues             
   GE             
      Aircraft Engines    $ 2,577    $ 2,738 
      Appliances      1,414      1,315 
      Industrial Products and Systems      2,651      2,847 
      Materials      1,580      1,934 
      NBC      1,998      1,351 
      Power Systems      5,271      4,260 
      Technical Products and Services      1,968      1,998 
      Eliminations      (711)     (549)


         Total GE segment revenues      16,748      15,894 
   Corporate items      86      65 
   Earnings of GECS before accounting changes      1,657      1,540 


         Total GE revenues      18,491      17,499 
   GECS segment revenues      13,899      14,723 
   Eliminations (a)     (1,869)     (1,729)


Consolidated revenues    $ 30,521    $ 30,493 


Segment profit             
   GE             
      Aircraft Engines    $ 421    $ 480 
      Appliances      91      87 
      Industrial Products and Systems      196      260 
      Materials      254      420 
      NBC      313      298 
      Power Systems      1,552      857 
      Technical Products and Services      271      324 


         Total GE operating profit      3,098      2,726 
   Earnings of GECS before accounting changes      1,657      1,540 


         Total segment profit      4,755      4,266 
   Corporate items and eliminations      (6)    
   GE interest and other financial charges      (157)     (255)
   GE provision for income taxes      (1,074)     (999)


Earnings before accounting changes      3,518      3,017 
   Cumulative effect of accounting changes      (1,015)     (444)


Consolidated net earnings    $ 2,503    $ 2,573 


(a) Principally the elimination of GECS earnings before accounting changes.

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

      1. The accompanying condensed quarterly financial statements represent the consolidation of General Electric Company and all companies which it directly or indirectly controls, either through majority ownership or otherwise. Reference is made to note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001. That note discusses consolidation and financial statement presentation. As used in this report on Form 10-Q (Report) and in the Annual Report on Form 10-K, "GE" represents the adding together of all affiliated companies except General Electric Capital Services, Inc. (GECS), which is presented on a one-line basis; GECS consists of General Electric Capital Services, Inc. and all of its affiliates; and "consolidated" represents the adding together of GE and GECS with the effects of transactions between the two eliminated. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

      2. The condensed consolidated quarterly financial statements are unaudited. These statements include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary by management to present a fair statement of the results of operations, financial position and cash flows. The results reported in these condensed consolidated financial statements should not be regarded as necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the entire year.

      3. The Financial Accounting Standards Board's (FASB) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, generally became effective for GE and GECS on January 1, 2002. Under SFAS 142, goodwill is no longer amortized but is tested for impairment using a fair value methodology.

      GE and GECS ceased amortizing goodwill effective January 1, 2002. Simultaneously, to maintain a consistent basis for its measurement of performance, management revised previously-reported segment information to correspond to the earnings measurements by which businesses will be evaluated. Accordingly, goodwill amortization is now treated as a corporate rather than a segment cost. Other measurement changes relate to the GE pension and other retiree benefit plans, whose effects are now reported at the corporate level, and allocation to segments of other selected costs previously reported at the corporate level. GECS previously-reported segment information has also been revised to reflect changes effective as of January 1, 2002, in GECS internal organization. GECS Asia/Pacific operations previously managed by region are now managed and reported by the respective operating business. Also, certain businesses previously in separate segments are now reviewed directly by GECS chief operating decision maker, and are therefore designated by GECS as operating segments. Because none of these operating segments qualifies as a GECS reporting segment, they have been combined for reporting purposes and are presented in "All Other GECS ".

      Goodwill amortization expense for the three months ended March 31, 2001, was $121 million ($111 million after tax) and $174 million ($139 million after tax) for GE and GECS, respectively. The effects on earnings and earnings per share of excluding such goodwill amortization expense from the first quarter of 2001 follow.

 

 

Three months ended March 31


 

Consolidated

 

GE

 

GECS

(Dollars, except per-share


amounts in millions)

 

2002

 

2001

 

2002

 

2001

 

2002

 

2001

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


Earnings before accounting changes

 

$3,518

 

$3,017

 

$3,518

 

$3,017

 

$1,657

 

$1,401

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


Earnings before accounting changes, 
   excluding 2001 goodwill amortization

 

$3,518

 

$3,267

 

$3,518

 

$3,267

 

$1,657

 

$1,540

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


Net earnings

 

$2,503

 

$2,573

 

$2,503

 

$2,573

 

$ 642

 

$1,232

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


Net earnings, excluding 2001 goodwill 
   amortization

 

$2,503

 

$2,823

 

$2,503

 

$2,823

 

$ 642

 

$1,371

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 

 

Diluted

 

Basic

 

 

 

 



 

 

2002

 

2001

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

 

Earnings per share before accounting 
   changes

 

$ 0.35

 

$ 0.30

 

$ 0.35

 

$ 0.30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share before accounting
   changes, excluding 2001 goodwill 
   amortization

 

$ 0.35

 

$ 0.32

 

$ 0.35

 

$ 0.33

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share

 

$ 0.25

 

$ 0.26

 

$ 0.25

 

$ 0.26

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share, excluding 
   2001goodwill amortization

 

$ 0.25

 

$ 0.28

 

$ 0.25

 

$ 0.28

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      Under SFAS 142, GE and GECS were required to test all existing goodwill for impairment as of January 1, 2002, on a "reporting unit" basis. A reporting unit is the operating segment unless, at businesses one level below that operating segment (the "component" level), discrete financial information is prepared and regularly reviewed by management, in which case such component is the reporting unit. SFAS 142 requires that two or more component-level reporting units with similar economic characteristics be combined into a single reporting unit.

      A fair value approach is used to test goodwill for impairment. An impairment charge is recognized for the amount, if any, by which the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value. Fair values of reporting units and the related implied fair values of their respective goodwill were established using discounted cash flows. When available and as appropriate, comparative market multiples were used to corroborate results of the discounted cash flows.

      The result of testing goodwill of GE and GECS for impairment in accordance with SFAS 142, as of January 1, 2002, was a non-cash charge of $1.204 billion ($1.015 billion after tax, or $0.10 per share), which is reported in the caption "Cumulative effect of accounting changes". Substantially all of the charge relates to GECS IT Solutions business and its GE Auto and Home business, a direct subsidiary of GE Financial Assurance. The primary factors resulting in the impairment charge were the difficult economic environment in the information technology sector and enhanced price competition in the auto insurance industry. No impairment charge was appropriate under the FASB's previous goodwill impairment standard, which was based on undiscounted cash flows.

Intangibles Subject to Amortization

(Dollars in millions)

At
March 31, 2002

 

At
December 31, 2001



 

Gross
Carrying
Amount

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Gross
Carrying
Amount

 

Accumulated
Amortization

GE


 


 


 


Patents, licenses and other

$1,115

 

$(388)

 

$960

 

$(382)

GECS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Present value of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   future profits (PVFP)

5,537

 

(3,363)

 

5,504

 

(3,306)

All other

744

 

(475)

 

1,092

 

(506)





Total

$7,396

 

$(4,226)

 

$7,556

 

$(4,194)





      Consolidated amortization expense related to intangible assets, excluding goodwill for the quarters ended March 31, 2002 and 2001, was $77 million ($6 million for GE and $71 million for GECS) and $87 million ($8 million for GE and $79 million for GECS), respectively. The estimated percentage of the December 31, 2001, PVFP balance to be amortized over each of the next five years is as follows:

2002

13.0

%

2003

10.5

%

2004

8.9

%

2005

7.6

%

2006

6.3

%

      Amortization expense for PVFP in future periods will be affected by acquisitions, realized capital gains/losses or other factors affecting the ultimate amount of gross profits realized from certain lines of business. Similarly, future amortization expense for other intangibles will depend on future acquisitions, dispositions and other business transactions.

      In addition, GE and GECS had capitalized software (net of accumulated amortization) of  $1,438 million and $896 million, respectively, at March 31, 2002, and $1,435 million and $901 million, respectively, at December 31, 2001. Consolidated amortization expense related to capitalized software for the quarters ended March 31, 2002 and 2001, was $192 million ($133 million for GE and $59 million for GECS) and $100 million ($64 million for GE and $36 million for GECS), respectively. GECS also had mortgage servicing assets (net of accumulated amortization) of $880 million and $929 million at March 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001, respectively. Amortization expense related to the mortgage servicing assets was approximately $62 million and $57 million in the first quarter of 2002 and 2001, respectively.

Goodwill

(Dollars in millions)

                

Balance
12/31/01

 

Transition
Impairment

 

Acquired

 

Foreign
Exchange
and Other

 

Balance
3/31/02

 


    


    


    


 


GE

$12,354

 

$          – 

 

$943

 

$(25)

 

$13,272

GECS

15,933

 

(1,204)

 

538

 

 

15,273

 


 


 


 


 


 

$28,287

 

$(1,204)

 

$1,481

 

$(19)

 

$28,545

 


 


 


 


 


      Goodwill increased by $258 million during the first quarter, primarily as a result of acquisitions by Industrial Systems and GECS, partially offset by the impairment charge at GECS resulting from the accounting change described above. Goodwill balances assigned to other GE industrial segments were relatively unchanged during the quarter. Goodwill balances of the GE industrial segments follow:

 

(Dollars in millions)

At 3/31/02


Aircraft Engines

$1,920

Appliances

233

Industrial Products and Systems

2,263

Materials

1,914

NBC

2,568

Power Systems

1,955

Technical Products and Services

2,419


 

$13,272


      4. At January 1, 2001, GE and GECS adopted SFAS 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended. Under SFAS 133, all derivative instruments are recognized in the balance sheet at their fair values. The cumulative effect of adopting this standard was a one-time reduction of net earnings in the first quarter of 2001 of $324 million ($0.03 per share). Also at January 1, 2001, GE and GECS adopted the consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force of the FASB on accounting for impairment of beneficial interests (EITF 99-20). Under this consensus, impairment of certain beneficial interests in securitized assets must be recognized when the asset's fair value is below its carrying value and it is probable that there has been an adverse change in estimated cash flows. The cumulative effect of adopting EITF 99-20 was a one-time reduction of net earnings in the first quarter of 2001 of $120 million ($0.01 per share).

      5. A summary of increases/(decreases) in share owners' equity that do not result directly from transactions with share owners, net of income taxes, is provided below.

 

Three months ended


(Dollars in millions)

3/31/02


 

3/31/01


 

 

 

 

Net earnings

$2,503 

 

$2,573 

Investment securities - net

(447)

 

1,009 

Currency translation adjustments

(405)

 

144 

Derivatives qualifying as hedges

363 

 

(556)

Cumulative effect on equity of adopting SFAS 133

– 

 

(827)



Total

$2,014 

 

$2,343 



      6. Inventories consisted of the following:

At

(Dollars in millions)

3/31/02


 

12/31/01


 

 

 

 

GE

Raw materials and work in process

$5,108 

$4,708 

Finished goods

4,144 

3,951 

Unbilled shipments

447 

312 

Revaluation to LIFO

(663)

(676)



Total GE inventories

9,036 

8,295 



 

 

 

 

GECS

Finished goods

261 

270 



Total

$9,297 

$8,565 



      7. Property, plant and equipment (including equipment leased to others) – net, consisted of the following:

At

(Dollars in millions)

3/31/02


 

12/31/01


 

 

 

 

Original cost

    – GE

$31,466

$31,232

    – GECS

41,348

40,055



Total

72,814

71,287



 

 

 

 

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

    – GE

18,815

18,433

    – GECS

11,046

10,714



Total

29,861

29,147



 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment - net

    – GE             

12,651

12,799

    – GECS

30,302

29,341



Total

$42,953

 

$42,140



 

 

 

 

      8. GE's authorized common stock consisted of 13,200,000,000 shares, having a par value of $0.06 each. Information related to the calculation of earnings per share follows.

 

 

Three months ended


(Dollar amounts and shares in millions;

 

3/31/02


 

3/31/01


per-share amounts in dollars)

 

Diluted

 

Basic

 

Diluted

 

Basic

 

 


 


 


 


Consolidated operations

 

 

 

 

Earnings before cumulative effect of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     accounting changes

 

$3,518

 

$3,518

 

$3,017

 

$3,017

Dividend equivalents – net of tax

 

3

 

 

3

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings before accounting changes for

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     per-share calculation

 

$3,521

 

$3,518

 

$3,020

 

$3,017

 

 


 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cumulative effect of accounting changes

 

$(1,015)

 

$(1,015)

 

$(444)

 

$(444)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$2,503

 

$2,503

 

$2,573

 

$2,573

Dividend equivalents – net of tax

 

3

 

 

3

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings for per-share calculation

 

$2,506

 

$2,503

 

$2,576

 

$2,573

 

 


 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average equivalent shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares of GE common stock

 

9,931

 

9,931

 

9,934

 

9,934

Employee compensation-related shares,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     including stock options

 

102

 

 

133

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total average equivalent shares

 

10,033

 

9,931

 

10,067

 

9,934

 

 


 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Per share amounts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings before cumulative effect of
     accounting changes

 

$0.35

 

$0.35

 

$0.30

 

$0.30

Cumulative effect of accounting changes

 

(0.10)

 

(0.10)

 

(0.04)

 

(0.04)

 

 


 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$0.25

 

$0.25

 

$0.26

 

$0.26

 

 


 


 


 


Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition

A. Results of Operations – First quarter of 2002 compared with first quarter of 2001

      General Electric Company's earnings before required accounting changes rose 17% to $3.518 billion, or $0.35 per share, from last year's $3.017 billion, or $0.30 per share. Required accounting changes refer to the one-time, non-cash effects of adopting new accounting rules in 2002 and 2001 (discussed in notes 3 and 4 of this Report).

      Revenues of $30.5 billion were about the same as in the first quarter of 2001. Revenues for GE's industrial businesses grew 5% over last year's first quarter, reflecting continued strength at Power Systems, including contract termination revenues of $476 million, and NBC's broadcast of the Winter Olympics.

      GE's first-quarter operating margin was 18.2% of sales, up from last year's 17.7%. GE's digitization initiative was a significant contributor to margin expansion.

      Cash generated from GE's operating activities, excluding progress collections, was $2.2 billion, up 18% from last year's $1.8 billion. Reflecting record progress collections in 2001, reported cash flow from operating activities of $1.4 billion was 53% lower than last year's $3.1 billion. As part of its $30 billion share repurchase program, GE purchased $660 million of its stock during the first quarter to reach $21.5 billion, or 1.048 billion shares, purchased since the program's inception in December 1994.

      Acquisitions completed since April 1, 2001, contributed $1.0 billion to consolidated revenues and $160 million to consolidated net earnings in the first quarter of 2002.

Segment Analysis

      The comments that follow compare revenues and operating profit by operating segment for the first quarters of 2002 and 2001. First quarter 2001 amounts have been revised to conform to the 2002 presentation as discussed in note 3 of this Report.

  • Aircraft Engines reported revenues of $2.577 billion, 6% lower than a year ago, reflecting reduced product service revenues, which more than offset higher engine sales. Following the events of September 11, product service revenues have been adversely affected by reduced customer flight hours and corresponding servicing requirements. Operating profit decreased 12% to $421 million, primarily as a result of lower service volume and lower pricing, partially offset by variable cost productivity.
     
  • Appliances revenues of $1.414 billion rose 8% over the first quarter of 2001, with a strong performance in the U.S., gaining 0.6 points of market share, more than offsetting lower selling prices. Operating profit increased 5% to $91 million largely as a result of volume, base cost productivity and lower material costs, which more than offset decreases in selling prices.
     
  • Industrial Products and Systems

 

Three months ended


(Dollars in millions)

3/31/02


 

3/31/01


 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

 

 

Industrial Systems

$1,097

 

$1,124

Lighting

540

 

609

Transportation Systems

482

 

548

GE Supply

532

 

566



Total revenues

$2,651

 

$2,847



 

 

Three months ended


(Dollars in millions)

3/31/02


 

3/31/01


 

 

 

 

Operating profit

 

 

 

Industrial Systems

$103

 

$133

Lighting

20

 

59

Transportation Systems

53

 

50

GE Supply

20

 

18



Total operating profit

$196

 

$260



Industrial Products and Systems reported a 7% decrease in revenues and a 25% decrease in operating profit primarily as a result of declines in selling prices and volume across the businesses. Industrial Systems revenues were down 2% compared with last year as volume and selling price decreases more than offset the benefit of revenues from acquisitions. Industrial Systems' sharply lower operating profit was principally the result of lower volume and selling prices. Lighting was adversely affected by volume declines, higher advertising costs related to new product introductions and charges related to customer delinquencies, particularly at Kmart. Transportation Systems revenues from locomotive sales decreased, but were partially offset by increases in service revenues and revenues from acquisitions; operating profit was favorably affected by strong variable cost productivity. GE Supply revenues were 6% lower than last year, but productivity improvements offset lower pricing.

  • Materials

 

Three months ended


(Dollars in millions)

3/31/02


 

3/31/01


 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

 

 

Plastics

$1,179

 

$1,448

Specialty Materials

401

 

486



Total revenues

$1,580

 

$1,934



 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended


(Dollars in millions)

3/31/02


 

3/31/01


 

 

 

 

Operating profit

 

 

 

Plastics

$207

 

$339

Specialty Materials

47

 

81



Total operating profit

$254

 

$420



Materials revenues decreased 18% primarily due to continued weakness in pricing. Operating profit decreased 40% as a result of lower pricing, despite cost reductions from productivity through digitization and lower materials costs at both Plastics and Specialty Materials.

  • NBC reported a 48% increase in revenues compared with the first quarter of 2001, reflecting its broadcast of the Winter Olympics and improved pricing in the advertising market. Operating profit increased 5% in the first quarter of 2002, primarily because of the lack of current year counterparts to 2001 charges relating to cost reduction activities, Internet operations and employee severance.
     
  • Power Systems revenues increased 24% to $5.271 billion, primarily as a result of sharply higher volume in gas turbines and contract cancellation fees of $476 million. Operating profit increased 81% to $1.552 billion, reflecting the combined effects of improved selling prices and higher volume, net contract cancellation fees and productivity.
     
  • Technical Products & Services

 

Three months ended


(Dollars in millions)

3/31/02


 

3/31/01


 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

 

 

Medical Systems

$1,863

 

$1,828

Global eXchange Services

105

 

170



Total revenues

$1,968

 

$1,998



 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended


(Dollars in millions)

3/31/02


 

3/31/01


 

 

 

 

Operating profit

 

 

 

Medical Systems

$266

 

$293

Global eXchange Services

5

 

31



Total operating profit

$271

 

$324



Technical Products and Services revenues were slightly lower and operating profit was 16% lower compared with last year. Medical Systems revenues grew slightly as volume increases offset price reductions. Sales of CT scanners weakened in light of new product introductions anticipated later in 2002. Operating profit at Medical Systems declined 9% as a result of lower selling prices and currency exchange in Asia. Global eXchange Services revenues and operating profit were lower than last year, reflecting lack of a current year counterpart to a gain on disposal of a joint venture in 2001.

  • GE Capital Services
Three months ended

 (Dollars in millions)

 3/31/02

 

 3/31/01



Revenues

 

 

 

Consumer Services

$5,410

 

$5,692

Equipment Management

1,599

 

1,845

Mid-Market Financing

2,271

 

1,951

Specialized Financing

720

 

835

Specialty Insurance

2,785

 

2,888

All Other

1,114

 

1,512



      Total revenues

$13,899

 

$14,723



 

 

 

 

Earnings before accounting changes

 

 

 

Consumer Services

$704

 

$ 648

Equipment Management

169

 

306

Mid-Market Financing

354

 

292

Specialized Financing

218

 

119

Specialty Insurance

234

 

270

All Other

(22)

 

(95)



      Total earnings before accounting changes

$1,657

 

$1,540



GECS first-quarter revenues decreased 6% compared with the first quarter of 2001. This decrease primarily resulted from volume decreases at IT Solutions, the absence of revenues from Americom which was divested in the fourth quarter of 2001, lower securitization gains primarily at Card Services, and reduced market interest rates, the combination of which were partially offset by acquisition and origination growth in Mid-Market Financing activities. Excluding the effect of the prior year's goodwill amortization of $139 million, earnings before accounting changes increased 8%. The earnings increase reflected productivity and origination growth, the contributions from acquired businesses and portfolios as well as lower taxes. Those changes were partially offset by $97 million lower gains on sales of investment securities, $27 million lower gains on securitizations, the absence of a current year counterpart to the 2001 disposition of Americom and lower results at GE Global Insurance.

GECS revenues and earnings before accounting changes, by GECS operating segment, for the three months ended March 31, 2002 and March 31, 2001, are summarized and discussed below. For purposes of this discussion, earnings before accounting changes is referred to as "net earnings".

Consumer Services

 

Three Months Ended


(Dollars in millions)

3/31/02


 

3/31/01


 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

 

 

Global Consumer Finance

$1,470

 

$1,318

GE Financial Assurance

2,983

 

3,100

GE Card Services

903

 

1,122

Other Consumer Services

54

 

152



      Total revenues

$5,410

 

$5,692



 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

 

 

Global Consumer Finance

$320

 

$297

GE Financial Assurance

173

 

159

GE Card Services

211

 

177

Other Consumer Services

 

15



      Net earnings

$704

 

$648



Consumer Services net earnings increased 9% on revenues that were 5% lower compared with the first three months of 2001. The largest single factor affecting revenues was lower market interest rates. Revenues also declined because of exited businesses as well as lower securitization gains at Card Services and lower revenues from the planned transition of restructured Toho insurance policies at GE Financial Assurance, the combination of which more than offset acquisition and volume growth at Global Consumer Finance and GE Financial Assurance. Other Consumer Services revenues decreased as a result of the planned run-off of the U.S. auto finance business portfolio. The increase in net earnings reflected growth across all three major businesses: Card Services had volume growth, productivity, and reduced losses from exited businesses; GE Financial Assurance growth was largely the result of productivity; Global Consumer Finance growth was primarily from acquisitions and productivity. 

Equipment Management

 

Three Months Ended


(Dollars in millions)

3/31/02


 

3/31/01


 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

 

 

Aviation Services (GECAS)

$568

 

$516

Americom

 

237

Other Equipment Management

1,031

 

1,092



      Total revenues

$1,599

 

$1,845



 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

 

 

Aviation Services (GECAS)

$95

 

$130

Americom

 

91

Other Equipment Management

74

 

85



      Net earnings

$169

 

$306



Equipment Management revenues decreased 13% and net earnings decreased 45% in the first quarter of 2002, compared with the corresponding period in 2001. The decrease in revenues principally reflects the divestiture of Americom in the fourth quarter of 2001, partially offset by volume growth at GECAS. The decrease in net earnings principally reflects the divestiture of Americom and fewer aircraft sales at GECAS.

Mid-Market Financing

 

Three Months Ended


(Dollars in millions)

3/31/02


 

3/31/01


 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

 

 

Commercial Equipment Financing

$1,081

 

$956

Commercial Finance

610

 

524

Vendor Financial Services

535

 

471

Other Mid-Market Financing

45

 



      Total revenues

$2,271

 

$1,951



 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

 

 

Commercial Equipment Financing

$168

 

$120

Commercial Finance

107

 

113

Vendor Financial Services

67

 

57

Other Mid-Market Financing

12

 

2



      Net earnings

$354

 

$292



Mid-Market Financing revenues and net earnings increased 16% and 21% in the first quarter of 2002, compared with the first quarter of 2001. The increase in revenues principally reflects the combination of acquisition and origination growth at Commercial Equipment Financing, Commercial Finance and Vendor Financial Services, partially offset by decreased market interest rates and reduced asset gains. Growth in net earnings reflected acquisition and volume growth at Commercial Equipment Financing and Commercial Finance, as well as acquisition growth at Vendor Financial Services, partially offset by reduced asset gains and higher losses at Commercial Finance.

Specialized Financing

 

Three Months Ended


(Dollars in millions)

3/31/02


 

3/31/01


 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

 

 

Real Estate

$461

 

$598

Structured Finance Group

296

 

312

GE Equity

(55)

 

(89)

Other Specialized Financing

18

 

14



      Total revenues

$720

 

$835



 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

 

 

Real Estate

$162

 

$132

Structured Finance Group

129

 

106

GE Equity

(70)

 

(117)

Other Specialized Financing

(3)

 

(2)



      Net earnings

$218

 

$119



Specialized Financing revenues decreased 14% in the first quarter of 2002, as a result of lower market interest rates and lower asset gains at Real Estate and Structured Finance Group. These decreases were partially offset by reduced asset losses on equity investments at GE Equity. Net earnings increased 83% in the first quarter of 2002, reflecting productivity benefits, volume and acquisition growth at Real Estate and Structured Finance Group and lower asset losses at GE Equity, which more than offset the decrease in asset gains discussed above.

Specialty Insurance

 

Three Months Ended


(Dollars in millions)

3/31/02


 

3/31/01


 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

 

 

Mortgage Insurance

$280

 

$309

GE Global Insurance Holdings

2,407

 

2,497

Other Specialty Insurance

98

 

82



      Total revenues

$2,785

 

$2,888



 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

 

 

Mortgage Insurance

$100

 

$124

GE Global Insurance Holdings

80

 

146

Other Specialty Insurance

54

 

-



      Net earnings

$234

 

$270



Specialty Insurance revenues decreased 4% in the first quarter of 2002 as a result of reduced investment income at Global Insurance Holdings and reduced premiums associated with mortgage refinancing activity at Mortgage Insurance. Net earnings decreased 13% in the first quarter of 2002, reflecting no counterpart to favorable 2001 underwriting results and reduced investment gains at Global Insurance Holdings, as well as the effects of refinancing activity at Mortgage Insurance described above, partially offset by lower costs associated with the portfolio runoff at Mortgage Services.

All Other GECS 

 

Three Months Ended


(Dollars in millions)

3/31/02


 

3/31/01


 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

 

 

IT Solutions

$916

 

$1,221

Other

198

 

291



      Total revenues

$1,114

 

$1,512



 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

 

 

IT Solutions

$(2)

 

$(3)

Other

(20)

 

(92)



      Net earnings

$(22)

 

$(95)



All Other GECS decline in revenues primarily related to reduced volume and discontinued product lines at IT Solutions. The decline in net loss primarily related to lower corporate expenses.

B. Financial Condition

      With respect to the Condensed Statement of Financial Position, consolidated assets were $500.7 billion at March 31, 2002, compared with $495.0 billion at December 31, 2001.

      GE assets of $109.6 billion at March 31, 2002, were about the same as at December 31, 2001. Intangible assets increased $1.1 billion from acquisitions and other assets increased $2.5 billion, while cash decreased $3.9 billion.

      GECS assets increased by $1.4 billion from the end of 2001. Other receivables increased $1.0 billion to $41.5 billion at the end of the first quarter and consist primarily of nonfinancing customer receivables, accrued investment income, amounts due from GE (generally related to certain trade payable programs), amounts due under operating leases, receivables due on sales of securities and various sundry items. The increase primarily relates to the timing of cash receipts at the quarter end. Property, plant and equipment (including equipment leased to others) increased $1.0 billion to $30.3 billion at the end of the first quarter and primarily related to the acquisition of aircraft. All other assets increased $0.9 billion at the end of the first quarter as a result of additional investments in real estate. In addition, investment securities increased $0.8 billion to $100.9 billion at the end of the first quarter, primarily reflecting investment of premiums received. Financing receivables, net of the allowance for losses, aggregated $172.9 billion at March 31, 2002, a decrease of $1.2 billion. The decrease primarily reflects the effects of securitizations and foreign currency translation on European financing receivables, partially offset by higher origination volume and acquisition growth. GECS allowance for losses of $4.9 billion at March 31, 2002, reflects management's best estimate of probable losses inherent in the portfolio. In addition, intangible assets decreased $1.0 billion to $17.7 billion at March 31, 2002. The decrease primarily reflects the goodwill impairment recorded upon adoption of SFAS 142.

      Consolidated liabilities of $440.3 billion at March 31, 2002, were $5.4 billion higher than at year-end 2001. GE liabilities decreased by $0.4 billion; GECS liabilities increased by $1.6 billion.

      GE borrowings were $1.6 billion ($0.9 billion short-term and $0.7 billion long-term) at March 31, 2002, a decrease of $0.9 billion from December 31, 2001. GE's ratio of debt to total capital at the end of March 2002 was 2.8% compared with 4.3% at the end of last year and 3.1% at March 31, 2001. Other changes in GE's liabilities comprised numerous, relatively small items.

      GECS liabilities increased by $1.6 billion reflecting an increase in long-term borrowings of $14.0 billion and a decrease in short-term borrowings of $13.0 billion from year-end 2001. In addition, insurance liabilities, reserves and annuity benefits increased $1.0 billion to $115.2 billion at the end of March 2002, primarily reflecting growth in deferred annuities and guaranteed investment contracts. Other changes in GECS liabilities comprised numerous, relatively small items.

      With respect to cash flows, consolidated cash and equivalents amounted to $9.4 billion at March 31, 2002, an increase of $0.4 billion from December 31, 2001. Cash and equivalents were $8.2 billion at March 31, 2001, about the same as at December 31, 2000.

      GE cash and equivalents amounted to $6.5 billion at March 31, 2002, a decrease of $3.9 billion from December 31, 2001. During the first quarter of 2002, operating cash flows decreased to $1.4 billion, 53% lower than the first quarter of 2001, as a result of sharply lower progress collections. Cash used for investing activities ($2.1 billion) principally represented acquisitions and investments in new plant and equipment for a wide variety of capital expenditure projects to reduce costs and improve efficiencies. Cash used for financing activities ($3.3 billion) included $1.8 billion for dividends paid to share owners – a 12.5% increase in the per-share dividend rate compared with first quarter of last year – $0.7 billion for repurchases of common stock under the share repurchase program and $1.0 billion in repayments and reductions in debt.

      GE cash and equivalents amounted to $7.5 billion at March 31, 2001, an increase of $0.3 billion from December 31, 2000. During the first quarter of 2001, operating cash flows increased to $3.1 billion, an increase of 18% over the first quarter of 2000, primarily as a result of improvements in earnings and higher progress collections, net of advances to suppliers. Cash used for investing activities ($0.4 billion) principally represented acquisitions and investments in new plant and equipment for a wide variety of capital expenditure projects to reduce costs and improve efficiencies. Cash used for financing activities ($2.3 billion) included $1.6 billion for dividends paid to share owners – a 17% increase in the per-share dividend rate compared with first quarter of last year – and $0.9 billion for repurchases of common stock under the share repurchase program. Funds used for dividends and the share repurchases were generated from operating cash flow.

      GECS cash and equivalents decreased by $0.1 billion during the first quarter of 2002 to $7.2 billion. Cash provided from operating activities was $4.4 billion, compared with $2.4 billion during the first quarter of 2001. The increase in cash from operating activities year was largely attributable to increased insurance reserves, decreased insurance receivables due to timing of settlements, and reduced insurance policyholder redemptions in 2002 associated with the Toho acquisition. Cash from financing activities totaled $2.6 billion, reflecting net additions of debt. The principal use of GECS cash during the period was for investing activities ($7.0 billion), a majority of which was attributable to increases in financing receivables and investments in securities.

      GECS cash and equivalents increased by $0.4 billion during the first quarter of 2001 to $6.4 billion. Cash provided from operating activities amounted to $2.4 billion during the first three months of 2001. The increase in cash from operating activities compared with last year was largely attributable to insurance policyholder redemptions in 2000 associated with the Toho acquisition. Cash from financing activities totaled $0.3 billion, compared with $9.5 billion in 2000. The prior year figure reflected insurance policyholder liabilities assumed in the Toho acquisition, the effect of which was partially offset by net reductions in debt. The principal use of GECS cash during the period was for investing activities ($2.4 billion), a majority of which was attributable to investments in property plant and equipment.

Liquidity

      The major debt-rating agencies evaluate the financial condition of GE and of GE Capital Corporation ("GE Capital"), the major public borrowing entity of GECS, differently because of their distinct business characteristics. Factors that are important to the ratings of both include the following: cash generating ability – including cash generated from operating activities; earnings quality – including revenue growth and the breadth and diversity of sources of income; leverage ratios – such as debt to total capital and interest coverage; and asset utilization, including return on assets and asset turnover ratios. Considering those factors, as well as other criteria appropriate to GE and GECS individually, those major rating agencies continue to give the highest ratings to debt of GE and GE Capital (long-term credit rating AAA/Aaa; short-term credit rating A-1+/P-1).

      Global commercial paper markets are a primary source of cash for GE and GECS. GE Capital is the most widely-held name in those markets. GECS began the year with $117 billion of commercial paper, about 49% of GECS total debt outstanding at December 31, 2001, and at the end of the first quarter of 2002 had $101 billion of commercial paper outstanding, about 42% of GECS total debt outstanding. GE and GECS plan to reduce the ratio of commercial paper to approximately 25% to 35% of total outstanding debt by the end of 2002.

      As of March 31, 2002, GE Capital held approximately $34 billion of contractually committed lending agreements with highly-rated global banks and is in the process of increasing its committed lending agreements to approximately $50 billion. When considering the contractually committed lending agreements as well as other sources of liquidity, including medium and long-term funding, monetization, asset securitization, cash receipts from GECS lending and leasing activities, short-term secured funding on global assets, and potential asset sales, management believes it could achieve an orderly transition from commercial paper in the unlikely event of impaired access to the commercial paper market.

      During the first quarter of 2002, GE Capital issued approximately $25 billion of long-term debt, largely in the U.S. market. These funds were used primarily to reduce the amount of commercial paper outstanding as well as to fund maturing long-term debt. GECS anticipates issuing approximately $50 billion to $70 billion of additional long-term debt through GE Capital, using both U.S. and international markets during the remainder of 2002. The proceeds from such issuances will be used to reduce the amount of commercial paper outstanding, to fund maturing long-term debt and fund additional asset growth. The ultimate amount of debt issuances will depend upon the growth in assets, availability of markets and movements of interest rates.

      GE continues to use special purpose entities as described in the December 31, 2001, Annual Report on Form 10-K. Compared with December 31, 2001, receivables held by special purpose entities as of March 31, 2002, remained at $43.0 billion and the maximum amount of liquidity support for commercial paper outstanding was about the same at $43.4 billion. The maximum recourse provided under credit support agreements increased from $14.5 billion at December 31, 2001, to $15.2 billion at March 31, 2002.

Part II. Other Information

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

a.

Exhibits
 

Exhibit 11. Computation of Per Share Earnings*
Exhibit 12. Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
 

*

Data required by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, Earnings per Share, is provided in note 8 to the condensed consolidated financial statements in this Report.
 

b.

Reports on Form 8-K during the quarter ended March 31, 2002.
 

A Form 8-K was filed on March 25, 2002 under Item 5, incorporating by reference GE's March 21, 2002 press release setting forth GE's approach to managing long-term bond offerings and debt portfolio of General Electric Capital Corporation.


Signatures

          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
General Electric Company
            (Registrant)

 

May 13, 2002
/s/ Philip D. Ameen 
Date Philip D. Ameen
Vice President and Comptroller
Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Accounting Officer
 
EX-12 3 exhibit_12.htm EXHIBIT 12 Exhibit 12

Exhibit 12
General Electric Company
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
(Dollars in millions) Three months ended 
March 31, 2002

GE except GECS
Earnings (a)

$   4,634 
Less:  Equity in undistributed earnings of General Electric 
  Capital Services, Inc. (b) (1,126)
Plus:  Interest and other financial 
  charges included in expense  157 
  One-third of rental expense (c) 58 
   
Adjusted "earnings" 

$   3,723 
   
Fixed Charges: 
  Interest and other financial charges  157 
  Interest capitalized 
  One-third of rental expense (c) 58 
   
Total fixed charges 

$     218 
   
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges  17.08 
   
General Electric Company and consolidated affiliates
Earnings (a)

$   5,083 
Plus:  Interest and other financial charges 
  included in expense  2,407 
  One-third of rental expense (c) 135 
   
Adjusted "earnings" 

$   7,625 
   
Fixed Charges: 
  Interest and other financial charges 

$   2,407 
  Interest capitalized  13 
  One-third of rental expense (c) 135 
   
Total fixed charges 

$ 2,555 
   
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges  2.98 
   

(a) Earnings before income taxes, minority interest and cumulative effect of changes in accounting principle.
(b) Earnings after income taxes, net of dividends, and before cumulative effect of changes in accounting principle.
(c) Considered to be representative of interest factor in rental expense

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