General Electric Co. share price up, posts first-quarter earnings that beat analysts’ estimates

General Electric Co. made an official announcement, revealing that its earnings over the first quarter of the current financial year surpassed analysts estimates. The companys results were benefited by increasing margins in the industrial businesses. The Chief Executive Officer of General Electric Co. – Mr. Jeff Immelt shared that the company found perspectives in most markets.

General Electric Co. said in its statement that the companys adjusted profit from continuing operations stood at 33 cents per share, beating analysts median estimate of 32 cents. First-quarter operating profits decreased by 18% and reached 3.3 billion dollars. The companys revenue decreased by 2.2% and reached 34.18 billion dollars.

General Electric Co. also posted a revenue generated from its industrial units, which include jet engines, locomotives wind turbines, estimated to 24.55 billion dollars, marking an 8.3% increase. The figures, have been affected by the great revenue growth of the companys oil and gas and power and water divisions. According to the companys statement, the profit margins of General Electrics industrial units rose by 50 basis points compared the results posted a year earlier.

As reported by the Wall Street Journal, the current Chief Executive Officer Mr. Jeff Immelt said in a statement: “The environment is consistent with our expectations, with a positive bias.”

Mr. Immelt also explained that he is focused on improving the performance of the companys industrial divisions, and has set a target for them of generating about 70% of General Electric Cos earnings, up from 53% last year. He has also been trying to trim General Electric Capital.

Although this was a period of weak revenue growth, both the company and its rivals have managed to post solid results by improving their productivity and cutting some expenses. General Electric Co. has made the decision to make its financial arm GE Capital public. The initial public offering is expected to be held by the end of 2014.

General Electric Co rose by 1.68% in New York on Thursday to close the session at $26.56 per share, the highest in three months, marking a one-year change of +16.70%. The company is valued at $266.26 billion. According to the Financial Times, the 11 analysts offering 12 month price targets for General Electric Company have a median target of $28.00, with a high estimate of $32.00 and a low estimate of $26.00. The median estimate represents a 7.20% increase from the previous close of $26.12.