Can General Electric Return to its Previous Blue-Chip Dividend Growth Stock? by Chuck Carnevale, F.A.S.T. Graphs Introduction General Electric (GE) has announced a strategy and new focus to be the world’s best infrastructure and Technology Company. Already in 2014, the company has announced that they have taken significant steps to reshape and refocus their portfolio. In the future the company has a stated goal to achieve 75% of their earnings from their industrial business by 2016. The recent announcement to divest their appliance business appears to support their objectives. The important question for prospective investors is can they achieve these goals, and by doing so return the company to its previous status and legacy of a blue-chip dividend growth stock? This article is offered to help potential investors answer that important question. Short Company Description The following short business description on General Electric Company provided courtesy of S&P Capital IQ: “General Electric Company operates as an infrastructure and financial services company worldwide. The company’s Power and Water segment provides gas, steam and aeroderivative turbines, nuclear reactors, generators, combined cycle systems, controls, and related services; wind turbines; and water treatment services and equipment. Its Oil and Gas segment offers surface and subsea drilling and production systems, equipment for floating production platforms, compressors, turbines, turboexpanders, high pressure reactors, industrial power generation, and auxiliary equipment. The company’s Energy Management segment provides electrical distribution and control products, lighting and power panels, switchgears, and circuit breakers; engineering, inspection, mechanical, and emergency services; motor, drives, and control technologies; and plant automation, hardware, software, and embedded computing systems. Its Aviation segment offers jet engines, aerospace systems and equipment, and related replacement parts for military and commercial aircrafts; and maintenance, component repair, and overhaul services. The company’s Healthcare segment offers medical imaging and information technologies, medical diagnostics, and patient monitoring systems; and disease research, drug discovery, and biopharmaceutical manufacturing services, as well as remote diagnostic and repair services. Its Transportation segment provides freight and passenger locomotives; diesel engines for rail, marine, and stationary power applications; railway signaling and communications systems; underground mining equipment; motorized drive systems; information technology solutions; and replacement parts. Its GE Capital segment offers commercial loans and leases, fleet management, financial programs, credit cards, personal loans, and other financial services. The company was founded in 1892 and is headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut.” Earnings Operating History The following earnings only FAST Graphs™ on General Electric illustrates the dynamic nature of a company’s earnings per share growth over different time periods. Earnings growth is a dynamic calculation that varies when graphed from one timeframe to the next. Consequently, it’s important to review several timeframes when evaluating a company’s historical earnings growth rate. The following 15 calendar year, 10 calendar year, and 6 calendar year graphs illustrate how dynamic and different earnings growth has been for even the blue-chip General Electric. (See earnings growth rates circled in yellow). Earnings (Operating) History 15-Year General Electric built its reputation as an industrial products producer and as such generated a strong historical record of earnings and dividend growth. This record and reputation gave it the well-deserved status as one of the bluest of all blue-chip stocks. But, under the guidance of Jack Welch the company morphed into what could best be described as a financial services powerhouse. Although this generated strong and consistent profitability while the sun shined, the financial crisis induced clouds that brought on the Great Recession and changed the company’s operating record for the worst, at least temporarily. General Electric’s profits fell precipitously in 2008 and 2009 as evidenced below. General Electric Earnings Operating History 10-Year With an increased exposure to financial services, this once steady dividend growth juggernaut produced essentially... More