GE breakup plan holds promise

Article Excerpt

Conglomerate General Electric is moving ahead with its plan to break itself into three separate companies: Healthcare products (X-ray equipment, MRI and ultrasound scanners); renewable energy and power (turbines and equipment for wind farms); and Aviation equipment (jet engines). Studies show that spinoffs tend to outperform comparable stocks for several years, and we expect the breakup plan will ultimately pay off for GE investors. However, we think you should hold off on new buying for now. GENERAL ELECTRIC CO. $79 remains a hold. The conglomerate (New York symbol GE; Manufacturing sector; Shares outstanding: 1.1 billion; Market cap: $86.9 billion; Dividend yield: 0.4%; Takeover Target Rating: Medium; www.ge.com) has completed the first step of its plan to break itself up into three separate companies. In early January 2023, industrial conglomerate General Electric spun off its healthcare products business as a separate firm called GE HealthCare Technologies (see right). Investors received one share of the new firm for every three GE shares they held. They are not liable for…