Spinoff Spotlight: GE

Article Excerpt

GENERAL ELECTRIC CO. $12 (New York symbol GE, Shares outstanding: 8.7 billion; Market cap: $104.4 billion; Dividend yield: 4.0%; Takeover Target Rating: Low; www.ge.com) has replaced its CEO, John Flannery, with Larry Culp—the former CEO of Danaher Corp. (New York symbol DHR). Mr. Culp spearheaded Danaher’s spinoff of its industrial equipment operations as Fortive (New York symbol FTV). GE’s board of directors feels he will be able to speed up the company’s current restructuring plan. Under that initiative, GE plans to focus on three main businesses: electrical power equipment (including turbines and related equipment for gas-fired and nuclear power plants); renewable-power equipment for wind farms and hydroelectric plants; and aviation products (jet engines and aircraft electronics). As a result of its new, tighter focus, GE will spin off its healthcare oparations. That business makes a variety of electrical equipment for hospitals and medical clinics, including magnetic resonance imaging machines. In addition, the company plans to sell its 62.5% stake in Baker Hughes, a GE Co. (New York…