GE slashes dividend, plans US$2B cost-cutting drive in 2018
by The Associated Press
GE has been paring down it's business units for well over a decade in an attempt to improve profitability and return to its industrial roots
GE is also planning a potential reshaping of the company’s health, aviation, lighting and transportation units
GE’s quarterly dividend is being cut to 12 cents per share, from 24 cents, starting next month, the company said Monday.
Flannery says cost-cutting manoeuver is part of the measures GE will undertake to make the company simpler and stronger. General Electric Co. is expected to announce further plans, including a potential reshaping of the company’s health, aviation, lighting and transportation units.
Last month Flannery, who became CEO in August, said that GE would shed business units worth more than $20 billion over the next year or two. It has been paring businesses for well over a decade now.
After reporting disappointing third-quarter results in October, Flannery said that aside from the exit from certain businesses, GE was planning major cost cuts across the board. The company has already surpassed its goal of cutting $1 billion in industrial costs this year. It plans more than $2 billion in cuts next year, double the original target, to go with at least $20 billion in divestments over the next year or two, the executive said.
Shares of General Electric Co. rise 2.2 per cent to $20.94 in premarket trading.
