frm10k.htm
United States Securities and Exchange Commission
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-K

(Mark One)
 
þ Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009
or
 
¨ Transition Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
For the transition period from ___________to ___________
 
Commission file number 001-00035
 
General Electric Company
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

New York
     
14-0689340
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
     
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
         
3135 Easton Turnpike, Fairfield, CT
 
06828-0001
 
203/373-2211
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
 
(Telephone No.)
         
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, par value $0.06 per share
 
New York Stock Exchange

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
 
(Title of class)

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ¨ No þ
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ¨ No þ
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No ¨
 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. þ
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes þ No ¨
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer þ
Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer ¨
Smaller reporting company ¨
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ¨ No þ
 
The aggregate market value of the outstanding common equity of the registrant as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter was $124.9 billion. Affiliates of the Company beneficially own, in the aggregate, less than one-tenth of one percent of such shares. There were 10,669,821,000 shares of voting common stock with a par value of $0.06 outstanding at January 29, 2010.
 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
The definitive proxy statement relating to the registrant’s Annual Meeting of Shareowners, to be held April 28, 2010, is incorporated by reference in Part III to the extent described therein.

 
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Table of Contents
 
   
Page
Part I
 
     
Business
3
Risk Factors
14
Unresolved Staff Comments
20
Properties
20
Legal Proceedings
20
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
21
   
Part II
 
     
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer
 
 
Purchases of Equity Securities
22
Selected Financial Data
25
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
26
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
81
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
81
Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting
 
 
and Financial Disclosure
168
Controls and Procedures
168
Other Information
168
   
Part III
 
     
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
168
Executive Compensation
169
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and
 
 
Related Stockholder Matters
169
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
169
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
169
   
Part IV
 
     
Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
170
 
175


 
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Part I
 
 
Item 1. Business.
 
General
 
Unless otherwise indicated by the context, we use the terms “GE,” “GECS” and “GE Capital” on the basis of consolidation described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K Report. Also, unless otherwise indicated by the context, “General Electric” means the parent company, General Electric Company (the Company).

General Electric’s address is 1 River Road, Schenectady, NY 12345-6999; we also maintain executive offices at 3135 Easton Turnpike, Fairfield, CT 06828-0001.

We are one of the largest and most diversified technology, media, and financial services corporations in the world. With products and services ranging from aircraft engines, power generation, water processing, and household appliances to medical imaging, business and consumer financing, media content and industrial products, we serve customers in more than 100 countries and employ about 300,000 people worldwide.  Since our incorporation in 1892, we have developed or acquired new technologies and services that have broadened and changed considerably the scope of our activities.

In virtually all of our global business activities, we encounter aggressive and able competition. In many instances, the competitive climate is characterized by changing technology that requires continuing research and development. With respect to manufacturing operations, we believe that, in general, we are one of the leading firms in most of the major industries in which we participate. The NBC Television Network is a major U.S. commercial broadcast television network. NBC Universal also competes with other film and television programming producers and distributors, cable/satellite television networks and theme park operators. The businesses in which GECS engages are subject to competition from various types of financial institutions, including commercial banks, thrifts, investment banks, broker-dealers, credit unions, leasing companies, consumer loan companies, independent finance companies and finance companies associated with manufacturers.

This document contains “forward-looking statements” – that is, statements related to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address our expected future business and financial performance and financial condition, and often contain words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “see,” or “will.” Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. For us, particular uncertainties that could cause our actual results to be materially different than those expressed in our forward-looking statements include: the severity and duration of current economic and financial conditions, including volatility in interest and exchange rates, commodity and equity prices and the value of financial assets; the impact of U.S. and foreign government programs to restore liquidity and stimulate national and global economies; the impact of conditions in the financial and credit markets on the availability and cost of GE Capital’s funding and on our ability to reduce GE Capital’s asset levels as planned; the impact of conditions in the housing market and unemployment rates on the level of commercial and consumer credit defaults; our ability to maintain our current credit rating and the impact on our funding costs and competitive position if we do not do so; the soundness of other financial institutions with which GE Capital does business; the adequacy of our cash flow and earnings and other conditions which may affect our ability to maintain our quarterly dividend at the current level; the level of demand and financial performance of the major industries we serve, including, without limitation, air and rail transportation, energy generation, network television, real estate and healthcare; the impact of regulation and regulatory, investigative and legal proceedings and legal compliance risks, including the impact of proposed financial services regulation; strategic actions, including acquisitions and dispositions and our success in integrating acquired businesses; and numerous other matters of national, regional and global scale, including those of a political, economic, business and competitive nature. These uncertainties may cause our actual future results to be materially different than those expressed in our forward-looking statements. These uncertainties are described in more detail in Part I, Item 1A. "Risk Factors" of this Form 10-K Report. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements.


 
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Our consolidated global revenues were $84.3 billion in 2009, compared with $97.2 billion in 2008 and $86.3 billion in 2007. For additional information about our geographic operations, see the Geographic Operations section in Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of this Form 10-K Report.

Operating Segments
 
Segment revenue and profit information and additional financial data and commentary on recent financial results for operating segments are provided in the Segment Operations section in Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and in Note 27 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K Report.

Operating businesses that are reported as segments include Energy Infrastructure, Technology Infrastructure, NBC Universal, Capital Finance and Consumer & Industrial. Net earnings of GECS and the effect of transactions between segments are eliminated to arrive at total consolidated data. A summary description of each of our operating segments follows.

Results for 2009 and prior periods in this section are reported on the basis under which we managed our business in 2009 and do not reflect the January 2010 reorganization described in this section.

We also continue our longstanding practice of providing supplemental information for certain businesses within the segments.

Energy Infrastructure
 
Energy Infrastructure (23.7%, 21.1% and 17.8% of consolidated revenues in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively) is a leader in the field of development, implementation and improvement of products and technologies that harness resources such as wind, oil, gas and water.

Our operations are located in North America, Europe, Asia, South America and Africa.

Energy
 
Energy serves power generation, industrial, government and other customers worldwide with products and services related to energy production, distribution and management. We offer wind turbines as part of our renewable energy portfolio, which also includes solar technology. We also sell aircraft engine derivatives for use as industrial power sources. We sell gas turbines and generators that are used principally in power plants for generation of electricity and for industrial cogeneration and mechanical drive applications. We are a leading provider of Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) technology design and development. IGCC systems convert coal and other hydrocarbons into synthetic gas that, after cleanup, is used as the primary fuel for gas turbines in combined-cycle systems. IGCC systems produce fewer air pollutants compared with traditional pulverized coal power plants. We sell steam turbines and generators to the electric utility industry and to private industrial customers for cogeneration applications. Nuclear reactors, fuel and support services for both new and installed boiling water reactors are offered through joint ventures with Hitachi and Toshiba. In addition, we design and manufacture motors and control systems used in industrial applications primarily for oil and gas extraction and mining. We provide our customers with total solutions to meet their needs through a complete portfolio of aftermarket services, including equipment upgrades, long-term maintenance service agreements, repairs, equipment installation, monitoring and diagnostics, asset management and performance optimization tools, remote performance testing and Dry Low NOx (DLN) tuning. We continue to invest in advanced technology development that will provide more value to our customers and more efficient solutions that comply with today’s strict environmental regulations.

 
In addition, Energy offers water treatment solutions for industrial and municipal water systems including the supply and related services of specialty chemicals, water purification systems, pumps, valves, filters and fluid handling equipment for improving the performance of water, wastewater and process systems, including mobile treatment systems and desalination processes.


 
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Energy is party to revenue sharing programs that share the financial results of certain aero-derivative lines. These businesses are controlled by Energy, but counterparties have an agreed share of revenues as well as development and component production responsibilities. At December 31, 2009, such counterparty interests ranged from 5% to 49% of various programs; associated distributions to such counterparties are accounted for as costs of production.

Worldwide competition for power generation products and services is intense. Demand for power generation is global and, as a result, is sensitive to the economic and political environment of each country in which we do business. The balance of regional growth and demand side management are important factors to evaluate as we plan for future development.

Effective January 1, 2010, the Sensing & Inspection Technologies and Digital Energy businesses of the Enterprise Solutions business in the Technology Infrastructure segment and the Industrial business in the Consumer & Industrial segment became part of the Energy business.

Oil & Gas
 
Our technology helps oil and gas companies make more efficient and sustainable use of the world's energy resources.

Oil & Gas supplies mission critical equipment for the global oil and gas industry, used in applications spanning the entire value chain from drilling and completion through production, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and pipeline compression, pipeline inspection, and including downstream processing in refineries and petrochemical plants. The business designs and manufactures surface and subsea drilling and production systems, equipment for floating production platforms, compressors, turbines, turboexpanders, high pressure reactors, industrial power generation and a broad portfolio of auxiliary equipment.

To ensure that the installed base is maintained at peak condition, our service business has over 40 service centers and workshops in the world's main oil and gas extraction and production regions. The business also provides upgrades to customers’ machines, using the latest available technology, to extend production capability and environmental performance.

For information about orders and backlog, see the Segment Operations section in Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of this Form 10-K Report.

Technology Infrastructure
 
Technology Infrastructure (27.1%, 25.4% and 24.8% of consolidated revenues in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively) is one of the world’s leading providers of essential technologies to developed, developing and emerging countries. Around the world, we are helping build healthcare, transportation and technology infrastructure.

Our operations are located in North America, Europe, Asia and South America.

Aviation
 
Aviation produces, sells and services jet engines, turboprop and turbo shaft engines, and related replacement parts for use in military and commercial aircraft. Our military engines are used in a wide variety of aircraft including fighters, bombers, tankers, helicopters and surveillance aircraft, as well as marine applications, and our commercial engines power aircraft in all categories of range: short/medium, intermediate and long-range, as well as executive and regional aircraft. We also produce and market engines through CFM International, a company jointly owned by GE and Snecma, a subsidiary of SAFRAN of France, and Engine Alliance, LLC, a company jointly owned by GE and the Pratt & Whitney division of United Technologies Corporation. New engines are also being designed and marketed in joint ventures with Rolls-Royce Group plc and Honda Aero, Inc., a division of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Aviation is party to agreements in which the financial results, as well as production responsibilities, of certain aircraft and marine engine lines are shared. These agreements take the form of both joint ventures and revenue sharing programs.


 
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Joint ventures market and sell particular aircraft engine lines, but require negligible direct investment because the venture parties conduct essentially all of the development, production, assembly and aftermarket support activities. Under these agreements, Aviation supplies certain engine components and retains related intellectual property rights. The CFM56 engine line is the product of CFM International and the GP7000 engine line is the product of Engine Alliance, LLC.

Revenue sharing programs are a standard form of cooperation for specific product programs in the aviation industry. These businesses are controlled by Aviation, but counterparties have an agreed share of revenues as well as development and component production responsibilities. At December 31, 2009, such counterparty interests ranged from 2% to 49% of various programs; associated distributions to such counterparties are accounted for as costs of production.

Aviation also produces global aerospace systems and equipment, including airborne platform computing systems, power generation and distribution products, mechanical actuation products and landing gear, plus various engine components for use in both military and commercial aircraft.

We provide maintenance, component repair and overhaul services (MRO), including sales of replacement parts for many models of engines and repair and overhaul of engines manufactured by competitors. These MRO services are often provided under long-term maintenance contracts.

The worldwide competition in aircraft jet engines and MRO (including parts sales) is intense. Both U.S. and export markets are important. Product development cycles are long and product quality and efficiency are critical to success. Research and development expenditures are important in this business, as are focused intellectual property strategies and protection of key aircraft engine design, manufacture, repair and product upgrade technologies. Our products and services are subject to a number of regulatory standards.

Potential sales for any engine are limited by, among other things, its technological lifetime, which may vary considerably depending upon the rate of advance in technology, the small number of potential customers and the limited number of relevant airframe applications. Aircraft engine orders tend to follow military and airline procurement cycles, although these cycles differ from each other.

Enterprise Solutions
 
Enterprise Solutions offers integrated solutions using sensors for temperature, pressure, moisture, gas and flow rate as well as non-destructive testing inspection equipment, including radiographic, ultrasonic, remote visual and eddy current. Enterprise Solutions also offers security and life safety technologies, including intrusion and access control, video surveillance and sensor monitoring equipment, fire detection and real estate and property control. In addition, it provides protection and control, communications, power sensing and power quality products and services that increase the reliability of electrical power networks and critical equipment and offering wireless data transmission. Plant automation, hardware, software and embedded computing systems including controllers, embedded systems, advanced software, motion control, operator interfaces and industrial computers are also provided by Enterprise Solutions. Markets are extremely diverse. Products and services are sold to residential, commercial and industrial end-users, including utilities, original equipment manufacturers, electrical distributors, retail outlets, airports, railways, and transit authorities. Increasingly, products and services are developed for and sold in global markets.

During 2009, Enterprise Solutions sold an 81% interest in our safety screening and detection business, GE Homeland Protection, Inc., to SAFRAN. GE also dissolved its joint venture with FANUC Ltd. resulting in GE retaining the global software, services, embedded systems and control systems businesses. In addition, during 2009 GE signed a definitive agreement with United Technologies Corporation to sell our security and life safety solutions business, GE Security. The sale is expected to close in early 2010.


 
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Effective January 1, 2010, the retained portion of the GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms business was included in our newly-created segment, Home & Business Solutions. The Sensing & Inspection Technologies and Digital Energy businesses became part of the Energy business within the Energy Infrastructure segment. The Security business will be reported in Corporate Items and Eliminations pending its expected sale.

Healthcare
 
Healthcare has expertise in medical imaging and information technologies, medical diagnostics, patient monitoring systems, disease research, drug discovery and biopharmaceutical manufacturing technologies. We are dedicated to predicting and detecting disease earlier, monitoring its progress and informing physicians, and helping them to tailor treatment for patients. Healthcare manufactures, sells and services a wide range of medical equipment that helps provide a fast, non-invasive way for doctors to see broken bones, diagnose trauma cases in the ER, view the heart and its function, and identify early stages of cancers or brain disorders. With X-ray, digital mammography, Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance (MR) and Molecular Imaging technologies, Healthcare creates industry-leading products that allow clinicians to see inside the human body more clearly than ever. In addition, Healthcare manufactured technologies include patient monitoring, diagnostic cardiology, ultrasound, bone densitometry, anesthesiology and oxygen therapy, and neonatal and critical care devices. Medical diagnostics and life sciences products include diagnostic imaging agents used in medical scanning procedures, drug discovery, biopharmaceutical manufacturing and the latest in cellular technologies.

Our product services include remote diagnostic and repair services for medical equipment manufactured by GE and by others, as well as computerized data management and customer productivity services.

We compete with a variety of U.S. and non-U.S. manufacturers and services operations. Technological competence and innovation, excellence in design, high product performance, quality of services and competitive pricing are among the key factors affecting competition for these products and services. Throughout the world, we play a role in delivering new technology to improve patient outcomes and productivity tools to help control healthcare costs.

Our products are subject to regulation by numerous government agencies, including the FDA, as well as various laws that apply to claims submitted under Medicare, Medicaid or other government funded healthcare programs.

Transportation
 
Transportation provides technology solutions for customers in a variety of industries including railroad, transit, mining, oil and gas, power generation and marine. We serve customers in more than 100 countries.

Transportation manufactures high-horsepower diesel-electric locomotives, including the Evolution Series™, the most technologically advanced and most fuel efficient locomotive, which meets or exceeds the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Tier II requirements. We also offer leading drive technology solutions to the mining, transit, marine and stationary, and drilling industries. Our motors operate in thousands of applications, from electrical drive systems for large haulage trucks used in the mining industry to transit cars and drilling rigs, and our engines are used for marine power as well as stationary power generation applications. We also provide gearing technology for critical applications such as wind turbines.

Transportation also provides a portfolio of service offerings designed to improve fleet efficiency and reduce operating expenses, including repair services, locomotive enhancements, modernizations, and information-based services like remote monitoring and diagnostics. We provide train control products, railway management services, and signaling systems to increase service levels, optimize asset utilization, and streamline operations for railroad owners and operators. We deliver leading edge tools that improve asset availability and reliability, optimize network planning, and control network execution to plan.

For information about orders and backlog, see the Segment Operations section in Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of this Form 10-K Report.


 
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NBC Universal
 
NBC Universal (NBCU) (9.8%, 9.3% and 8.9% of consolidated revenues in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively) is a diversified media and entertainment company focused on the development, production and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience. NBCU, which is 80-percent owned by General Electric and 20-percent owned by Vivendi S.A., is engaged in the production and distribution of film and television programming; the operation of cable/satellite television networks around the world; the broadcast of network television through owned and affiliated television stations within the United States; and investment and programming activities in digital media and the Internet. Our film company, Universal Pictures, is engaged in the production and world-wide distribution of theatrical, home entertainment and television programming. We own the theme park Universal Studios Hollywood, operate and hold an ownership interest in the Universal Studios Florida theme parks and brand, design and develop international theme parks under exclusive licenses. Our cable/satellite television networks provide produced and acquired entertainment, news and information programming to households world-wide. Our cable/satellite television networks include USA, Bravo, CNBC, SYFY, MSNBC, Oxygen, UniHD, Chiller, Sleuth, mun2 and branded channels across Europe, Asia and Latin America. The NBC television network is a major U.S. commercial broadcast television network. Together, the NBC television network and Telemundo, our U.S. Spanish-language broadcast television network, serve 234 affiliated stations within the United States. At December 31, 2009, we owned and operated 26 television stations each subject to U.S. Federal Communications Commission regulation. We have exclusive U.S. television rights to the 2010 and 2012 Olympic Games, National Football League Sunday Night Football and the Super Bowl in 2012.

NBCU is subject to a wide range of factors, which could adversely affect our operations. Our broadcast networks, cable television networks and television stations are in extremely competitive and dynamic markets and are subject to advertising patterns and changes in viewer taste and preference that can be unpredictable or unforeseen. In addition, future revenues in these properties are dependent upon our ability to obtain, renew or renegotiate long-term programming contracts, including event-based sports programming and contracts for the distribution of our programming to cable/satellite operators. Our television and film production and distribution businesses are affected by the timing and performance of releases in the theatrical, home entertainment and television markets. Technological advances like digital video recorders, Internet streaming and electronic sell-through offer entertainment options through new media, introducing uncertainty to our operations. Other technologies enable the unauthorized copying and distribution of our film and television programming, increasing the risk of piracy. We continue to devote substantial resources to protect our intellectual property against unauthorized use.

On December 3, 2009, we entered into an agreement with Comcast Corporation to transfer the assets of the NBCU business to a newly formed entity, which will consist of our NBCU businesses and Comcast Corporation's cable networks, regional sports networks, certain digital properties and certain unconsolidated investments. Pursuant to the transaction, we will receive cash and will own a 49% interest in the newly formed entity. As a result, we have classified NBCU assets and liabilities as held for sale at December 31, 2009. The transaction is subject to receipt of various regulatory approvals and is expected to close within the next year.

NBC Universal’s headquarters are in New York, New York, with operations throughout North America, Europe, South America and Asia.

Capital Finance
 
Capital Finance (32.3%, 36.7% and 38.4% of consolidated revenues in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively) offers a broad range of financial products and services worldwide. Services include commercial loans and leases, fleet management, financial programs, home loans, credit cards, personal loans and other financial services.

During 2009, General Electric Capital Corporation (GE Capital) provided $72 billion of new financings in the U.S. to various companies, infrastructure projects and municipalities. Additionally, we extended $74 billion of credit to approximately 54 million U.S. consumers. GE Capital provided credit to approximately 14,200 new commercial customers and 40,000 new small businesses during 2009 in the U.S. and ended the period with outstanding credit to more than 346,000 commercial customers and 174,000 small businesses through retail programs in the U.S.


 
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Within our Capital Finance operating segment, we operate the businesses described below along product lines.

Our operations are located in North America, South America, Europe, Australia and Asia.

Capital Finance has communicated its goal of reducing its ending net investment (ENI) over the next three years. To achieve this goal, we are more aggressively focusing our businesses on selective financial services products where we have domain knowledge, broad distribution, and the ability to earn a consistent return on capital, while managing our overall balance sheet size and risk. We have a strategy of exiting those businesses where we are underperforming or that are deemed to be non-strategic. We have completed a number of dispositions in our businesses in the past and will continue to evaluate options going forward.

Effective January 1, 2010, the Capital Finance segment was renamed GE Capital and includes all of the continuing operations of General Electric Capital Corporation. In addition, the Transportation Financial Services business, previously reported in GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), will be included in Commercial Lending and Leasing (CLL) and our Consumer business in Italy, previously reported in Consumer, will be included in CLL. Results for 2009 and prior periods are reported on the basis under which we managed our business in 2009 and do not reflect the January 2010 reorganization.

Commercial Lending and Leasing
 
CLL provides customers around the world with a broad range of financing solutions. We have particular mid-market expertise, and offer loans, leases and other financial services to customers, including manufacturers, distributors and end-users for a variety of equipment and major capital assets. These assets include industrial-related facilities and equipment; vehicles; corporate aircraft; and equipment used in many industries, including the construction, manufacturing, transportation, media, communications, entertainment and healthcare industries. During 2009, we acquired a 100% ownership interest in Interbanca S.p.A., an Italian corporate bank in exchange for the Consumer businesses in Austria and Finland, the credit card and auto businesses in the U.K. and the credit card business in Ireland.

Historically, we have operated in a highly competitive environment. Our competitors include commercial banks, investment banks, leasing companies, financing companies associated with manufacturers, and independent finance companies. Competition related to our lending and leasing operations is based on price, that is, interest rates and fees, as well as deal structure and terms. More recently, competition has been affected by disruption in the capital markets, access to and availability of capital and a reduced number of competitors. Profitability is affected not only by broad economic conditions that affect customer credit quality and the availability and cost of capital, but also by successful management of credit risk, operating risk and market risks such as interest rate and currency exchange risks. Success requires high quality risk management systems, customer and industry specific knowledge, diversification, service and distribution channels, strong collateral and asset management knowledge, deal structuring expertise and the ability to reduce costs through technology and productivity.

In the first quarter of 2009, we deconsolidated Penske Truck Leasing Co., L.P. (PTL) following our sale of a partial interest in a limited partnership in PTL.

Consumer
 
Consumer, through consolidated entities and associated companies, is a leading provider of financial services to consumers and retailers in over 40 countries around the world. We offer a full range of innovative financial products to suit customers’ needs. These products include, on a global basis, private-label credit cards; personal loans; bank cards; auto loans and leases; mortgages; debt consolidation; home equity loans; deposit and other savings products; and small and medium enterprise lending.

In December 2007, we sold our U.S. mortgage business (WMC). In the third quarter of 2008, we completed the sale of GE Money Japan, which comprised our Japanese personal loan business (Lake) and our Japanese mortgage and card businesses, excluding our minority ownership in GE Nissen Credit Co., Ltd.


 
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In October 2008, we completed the sale of the Consumer business in Germany. In early 2009, we completed the sale of our Consumer businesses in Austria and Finland, the credit card and auto businesses in the U.K., and the credit card business in Ireland in exchange for a 100% ownership in Interbanca S.p.A., which were included in assets and liabilities of businesses held for sale on the Statement of Financial Position at December 31, 2008.

In the first quarter of 2009, we completed the sale of a portion of our Australian residential mortgage business.

In June 2008, we acquired a controlling interest in Bank BPH. In June 2009, we acquired a controlling interest in BAC Credomatic GECF Inc. (BAC).

Our operations are subject to a variety of bank and consumer protection regulations. Further, a number of countries have ceilings on rates chargeable to consumers in financial service transactions. We are subject to competition from various types of financial institutions including commercial banks, leasing companies, consumer loan companies, independent finance companies, manufacturers’ captive finance companies, and insurance companies. Industry participants compete on the basis of price, servicing capability, promotional marketing, risk management, and cross selling. The markets in which we operate are also subject to the risks from fluctuations in retail sales, interest and currency exchange rates, and the consumer’s capacity to repay debt.

Real Estate
 
Real Estate offers a comprehensive range of capital and investment solutions, including equity capital for acquisition or development, as well as fixed and floating rate mortgages for new acquisitions or re-capitalizations of commercial real estate worldwide. Our business finances, with both equity and loan structures, the acquisition, refinancing and renovation of office buildings, apartment buildings, retail facilities, hotels, parking facilities and industrial properties. Our typical real estate loans are intermediate term, senior, fixed or floating-rate, and are secured by existing income-producing commercial properties. We invest in, and provide restructuring financing for, portfolios of commercial mortgage loans, limited partnerships and tax-exempt bonds.

We own and operate a global portfolio of real estate with the objective of maximizing property cash flows and asset values. In the normal course of our business operations, we sell certain real estate equity investments when it is economically advantageous for us to do so. However, as real estate values are affected by certain forces beyond our control (e.g., market fundamentals and demographic conditions), it is difficult to predict with certainty the level of future sales, sales prices, impairments or write-offs.

Our competitors include banks, financial institutions, real estate companies, real estate investment funds and other financial companies. Competition in our equity investment business is primarily based on price, and competition in our lending business is primarily based on interest rates and fees, as well as deal structure and terms. As we compete globally, our success is sensitive to the economic and political environment of each country in which we do business.

Energy Financial Services
 
Energy Financial Services offers structured equity, debt, leasing, partnership financing, project finance and broad-based commercial finance to the global energy and water industries and invests in operating assets in these industries. Energy Financial Services also owns a controlling interest in Regency Energy Partners LP, a midstream master limited partnership engaged in the gathering, processing, transporting and marketing of natural gas and gas liquids.

We operate in a highly competitive environment. Our competitors include banks, financial institutions, energy and water companies, and other finance and leasing companies. Competition is primarily based on price, that is, interest rates and fees, as well as deal structure and terms. As we compete globally, our success is sensitive to the economic and political environment of each country in which we do business.


 
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GE Capital Aviation Services
 
GECAS engages in commercial aircraft leasing and finance, delivering fleet and financing solutions to companies across the spectrum of the aviation industry. Our product offerings include leases and secured loans on commercial passenger aircraft, freighters and regional jets; engine leasing and financing solutions; aircraft parts solutions; and airport equity and debt financing. We also co-sponsor an infrastructure private equity fund, which invests in large infrastructure projects including gateway airports. GECAS also has in its portfolio a wide array of products including leases, debt and equity investments to the global transportation industry (marine, rail and intermodal).

We operate in a highly competitive environment. Our competitors include aircraft manufacturers, banks, financial institutions, equity investors, and other finance and leasing companies. Competition is based on lease rate financing terms, aircraft delivery dates, condition and availability, as well as available capital demand for financing.

Consumer & Industrial
 
Consumer & Industrial (6.2%, 6.4% and 7.3% of consolidated revenues in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively) sells products that share several characteristics − competitive design, efficient manufacturing and effective distribution and service. Cost control, including productivity, is key in the highly competitive markets in which we compete. We also invest in the development of differentiated, premium products that are more profitable such as energy efficient solutions for both consumers and businesses. While some Consumer & Industrial products such as major appliances are primarily directed to consumer applications, and some primarily to industrial applications such as switchgear, others, such as lighting, are directed to both markets.

We sell and service major home appliances including refrigerators, freezers, electric and gas ranges, cooktops, dishwashers, clothes washers and dryers, microwave ovens, room air conditioners, and residential water systems for filtration, softening and heating. Brands are GE Monogram®, GE Profile™, GE®, Hotpoint® and GE Café™.

We manufacture certain products and also source finished product and component parts from third-party global manufacturers. A large portion of our appliances sales are through a variety of retail outlets for replacement of installed units. Residential building contractors installing units in new construction is our second major U.S. channel. We offer one of the largest original equipment manufacturer (OEM) service organizations in the appliances industry, providing in-home repair and aftermarket parts. We also manufacture, source and sell a variety of lamp products for commercial, industrial and consumer markets, including full lines of incandescent, halogen, fluorescent, high-intensity discharge, light-emitting diode, automotive and miniature products.

Consumer & Industrial also provides integrated electrical equipment and systems used to distribute, protect and control energy and equipment. We manufacture and distribute electrical distribution and control products, lighting and power panels, switchgear and circuit breakers that are used to distribute and manage power in a variety of residential, commercial, consumer and industrial applications. We also provide customer-focused solutions centered on the delivery and control of electric power, and market a wide variety of commercial lighting systems.

Effective January 1, 2010, the Industrial business became part of the Energy business within the Energy Infrastructure segment and the Appliances and Lighting portion of the Consumer and Industrial business became part of our newly-created segment, Home & Business Solutions.

Our headquarters are in Louisville, Kentucky and our operations are located in North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America.

Discontinued Operations
 
Discontinued operations primarily comprised GE Money Japan, WMC and Plastics.

For further information about discontinued operations, see Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K Report.


 
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Geographic Data
 
Geographic data are reported in Note 27 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K Report.

Additional financial data about our geographic operations is provided in the Geographic Operations section in Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of this Form 10-K Report.

Orders Backlog
 
GE’s total backlog of firm unfilled orders at the end of 2009 was $67.3 billion, a decrease of 4% from year-end 2008, reflecting decreased demand at Energy Infrastructure, partially offset by increased demand at Technology Infrastructure. Of this backlog, $46.3 billion related to products, of which 61% was scheduled for delivery in 2010. Product services orders, included in this reported backlog for only the succeeding 12 months, were $21.0 billion at the end of 2009. Product services orders beyond the succeeding 12 months were approximately $108 billion, which combined with the firm unfilled orders described above resulted in a total backlog of approximately $175 billion at December 31, 2009. Orders constituting backlog may be cancelled or deferred by customers, subject in certain cases to penalties. See the Segment Operations section in Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of this Form 10-K Report for further information.

Research and Development
 
GE-funded research and development expenditures were $3.3 billion, $3.1 billion and $3.0 billion in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. In addition, research and development funding from customers, principally the U.S. government, totaled $1.1 billion, $1.3 billion and $1.1 billion in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Technology Infrastructure’s Aviation business accounts for the largest share of GE’s research and development expenditures with funding from both GE and customer funds. Energy Infrastructure’s Energy business and Technology Infrastructure’s Healthcare business also made significant expenditures funded primarily by GE.

Expenditures reported above reflect the definition of research and development required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. For operating and management purposes, we also measure amounts spent on product and services technology. These technology expenditures were $5.2 billion in 2009 and included our reported research and development expenditures as well as the amount spent to improve our existing products and services, and to improve productivity of our plants, equipment and processes.

Environmental Matters
 
Our operations, like operations of other companies engaged in similar businesses, involve the use, disposal and cleanup of substances regulated under environmental protection laws. We are involved in a sizeable number of remediation actions to clean up hazardous wastes as required by federal and state laws. Such statutes require that responsible parties fund remediation actions regardless of fault, legality of original disposal or ownership of a disposal site. Expenditures for site remediation actions amounted to approximately $0.3 billion in both 2009 and 2008. We presently expect that such remediation actions will require average annual expenditures of about $0.4 billion over the next two years.


 
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In November 2006, the United States Federal District Court approved a consent decree, which had been agreed to by GE and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), that represents a comprehensive framework for implementation of EPA's 2002 Record of Decision to dredge polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-containing sediments in the upper Hudson River. Under the consent degree, the dredging is to be performed in two phases and Phase I was completed in May through November of 2009. Between Phase I and Phase II there will be an intervening peer review by an independent panel of national experts. The panel will evaluate the performance of Phase I dredging operations with respect to Phase I Engineering Performance Standards, evaluate experience gained from Phase I and may set forth proposed changes to the standards. This evaluation is expected to conclude in the summer of 2010 after which EPA, considering the peer review panel's recommendations, GE's proposed changes, and its own analysis, will issue its regulatory decision setting forth any changes to the scope of, or performance standards for, Phase II. Following EPA's decision, GE has 90 days to either elect to perform Phase II or to opt out of the project, at which point GE may be responsible for further costs. Our statement of financial position as of December 31, 2009, included liabilities for the probable and estimable costs of the project under the consent decree.

Employee Relations
 
At year-end 2009, General Electric Company and consolidated affiliates employed approximately 304,000 persons, of whom approximately 134,000 were employed in the United States. For further information about employees, see Part II, Item 6. “Selected Financial Data” of this Form 10-K Report.

Approximately 15,600 GE manufacturing and service employees in the United States are represented for collective bargaining purposes by a total of approximately 110 different union locals. A majority of such employees are represented by union locals that are affiliated with, and bargain in coordination with, the IUE-CWA, The Industrial Division of the Communication Workers of America, AFL-CIO, CLC. During 2007, General Electric Company negotiated four-year contracts with unions representing a substantial majority of the unionized employees in the United States. Most of these contracts will terminate in June 2011.

Approximately 3,500 staff employees (and a large number of freelance employees) in the United States are covered by about 175 labor agreements to which NBC Universal is a party. These agreements are with various labor unions, expire at various dates and are generally for a term ranging from three to five years. Other GE affiliates are parties to labor contracts with various labor unions, also with varying terms and expiration dates, that cover approximately 2,400 employees.

Executive Officers
 
See Part III, Item 10. “Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance” of this Form 10-K Report for information about Executive Officers of the Registrant.

Other
 
Because of the diversity of our products and services, as well as the wide geographic dispersion of our production facilities, we use numerous sources for the wide variety of raw materials needed for our operations. We have not been adversely affected by the inability to obtain raw materials.

We own, or hold licenses to use, numerous patents. New patents are continuously being obtained through our research and development activities as existing patents expire. Patented inventions are used both within the Company and are licensed to others, but no operating segment is substantially dependent on any single patent or group of related patents.


 
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Sales of goods and services to agencies of the U.S. Government as a percentage of revenues follow.
 
 
% of Consolidated Revenues
 
% of GE Revenues
 
 
2009 
 
2008 
 
2007 
 
2009 
 
2008 
 
2007 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total sales to U.S. Government Agencies
 
%
 
%
 
%
 
%
 
%
 
%
Technology Infrastructure segment
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   defense-related sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


GE is a trademark and service mark of General Electric Company.

The Company’s Internet address is www.ge.com. Our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports are available, without charge, on our website, www.ge.com/en/company/investor/secfilings.htm, as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed electronically with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Copies are also available, without charge, from GE Corporate Investor Communications, 3135 Easton Turnpike, Fairfield, CT 06828. Reports filed with the SEC may be viewed at www.sec.gov or obtained at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information regarding the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. References to our website addressed in this report are provided as a convenience and do not constitute, and should not be viewed as, an incorporation by reference of the information contained on, or available through, the website. Therefore, such information should not be considered part of this report.

 
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
 
The following discussion of risk factors contains “forward-looking statements,” as discussed in Item 1. “Business”. These risk factors may be important to understanding any statement in this Annual Report on Form 10-K or elsewhere. The following information should be read in conjunction with Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” (MD&A), and the consolidated financial statements and related notes in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K Report.
 
Our businesses routinely encounter and address risks, some of which will cause our future results to be different – sometimes materially different – than we presently anticipate. Discussion about important operational risks that our businesses encounter can be found in the MD&A section and in the business descriptions in Item 1. “Business” of this Form 10-K Report. Below, we describe certain important operational and strategic risks. Our reactions to material future developments as well as our competitors’ reactions to those developments will affect our future results.
 
Our global growth is subject to economic and political risks.
 
We conduct our operations in virtually every part of the world. In 2009, approximately 54% of our revenues was attributable to activities outside the United States. Our operations are subject to the effects of global competition. They are also affected by local economic environments, including inflation, recession and currency volatility. Political changes, some of which may be disruptive, can interfere with our supply chain, our customers and all of our activities in a particular location. While some of these risks can be hedged using derivatives or other financial instruments and some are insurable, such attempts to mitigate these risks are costly and not always successful, and our ability to engage in such mitigation has decreased or become even more costly as a result of current market conditions.
 
We are subject to a wide variety of laws and regulations that may change in significant ways.
 
Our businesses are subject to regulation under a wide variety of U.S. federal and state and non-U.S. laws, regulations and policies.


 
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There can be no assurance that laws and regulations will not be changed in ways that will require us to modify our business models and objectives or affect our returns on investments by making existing practices more restricted, subject to escalating costs or prohibited outright. In particular, U.S. and non-U.S. governments are undertaking a substantial review and revision of the regulation and supervision of bank and non-bank financial institutions, consumer lending, the over-the-counter derivatives market and tax laws and regulations, which may have a significant effect on GE Capital’s structure, operations, liquidity and performance. We are also subject to a number of trade control laws and regulations that may affect our ability to sell our products in global markets. In addition, we are subject to regulatory risks from laws that reduce the allowable lending rate or limit consumer borrowing, local capital requirements that may increase the risk of not being able to retrieve assets, and changes to tax law that may affect our return on investments. For example, GE’s effective tax rate is reduced because active business income earned and indefinitely reinvested outside the United States is taxed at less than the U.S. rate. A significant portion of this reduction depends upon a provision of U.S. tax law that defers the imposition of U.S. tax on certain active financial services income until that income is repatriated to the United States as a dividend. This provision is consistent with international tax norms and permits U.S. financial services companies to compete more effectively with non-U.S. banks and other non-U.S. financial institutions in global markets. This provision, which expired at the end of 2009, has been scheduled to expire and has been extended by Congress on five previous occasions, including in October of 2008. A one-year extension was passed by the House of Representatives in 2009 and the Senate Finance Committee Chairman and Ranking Member have indicated an intention to extend the provision for one year retroactive to the beginning of 2010, but there can be no assurance that it will be extended. In the event the provision is not extended after 2009, the current U.S. tax imposed on active financial services income earned outside the United States would increase, making it more difficult for U.S. financial services companies to compete in global markets. If this provision is not extended, we expect our effective tax rate to increase significantly after 2010. The executive branch of the U.S. government recently proposed the Financial Responsibility Crisis Fee, which would require us to pay a fee at an annual rate of 15 basis points based on the amount of covered liabilities (defined as assets less the sum of Tier 1 capital and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)-assessed deposits). This proposal is at an early stage, and its impact on the company, if any, will depend on a number of factors that are subject to congressional review and approval. If adopted, this fee could result in a reduction of our earnings going forward. In addition, the U.S. government is currently considering broad-based legislation to change healthcare coverage, that includes provisions for a fee on medical devices, which could adversely affect the profitability of our Healthcare business and increase the costs of providing healthcare to our employees. Furthermore, we have been, and expect to continue, participating in U.S. and international economic stimulus programs, which require us to comply with strict governmental regulations. Inability to comply with these regulations could adversely affect our status in these projects and adversely affect our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

We are subject to legal proceedings and legal compliance risks.
 
We are subject to a variety of legal proceedings and legal compliance risks. We and our subsidiaries, our businesses and the industries in which we operate are at times being reviewed or investigated by regulators, which could lead to enforcement actions, fines and penalties or the assertion of private litigation claims and damages. Additionally, we and our subsidiaries are involved in a sizable number of remediation actions to clean up hazardous wastes as required by federal and state laws. These include the dredging of polychlorinated biphenyls from a 40-mile stretch of the upper Hudson River in New York State, as described in Item 1. “Business” of this Form 10-K Report. We are also subject to certain other legal proceedings described in Item 3. “Legal Proceedings” of this Form 10-K Report. While we believe that we have adopted appropriate risk management and compliance programs, the global and diverse nature of our operations means that legal and compliance risks will continue to exist and additional legal proceedings and other contingencies, the outcome of which cannot be predicted with certainty, will arise from time to time.
 

 
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The success of our business depends on achieving our objectives for strategic acquisitions and dispositions.
 
With respect to acquisitions and mergers, we may not be able to identify suitable candidates at terms acceptable to us or may not achieve expected returns and other benefits as a result of various factors, including integration challenges, such as personnel and technology. We will continue to evaluate the potential disposition of assets and businesses that may no longer help us meet our objectives. When we decide to sell assets or a business, we may encounter difficulty in finding buyers or alternative exit strategies on acceptable terms in a timely manner, which could delay the accomplishment of our strategic objectives. Alternatively, we may dispose of a business at a price or on terms that are less than we had anticipated. Even upon reaching an agreement with a buyer or seller for the acquisition or disposition of a business, we are subject to necessary regulatory and governmental approvals on acceptable terms, which may prevent us from completing the transaction. For example, we recently entered into an agreement with Comcast Corporation to transfer the assets of the NBCU business to a newly formed entity, pursuant to which we will receive cash and will own a 49% interest in the newly formed entity. The transaction is subject to receipt of various regulatory approvals. In addition, there is a risk that we may sell a business whose subsequent performance exceeds our expectations, in which case our decision would have potentially sacrificed enterprise value.
 
Sustained increases in costs of pension and healthcare benefits may reduce our profitability.
 
Our results of operations may be positively or negatively affected by the amount of income or expense we record for our defined benefit pension plans. U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) require that we calculate income or expense for the plans using actuarial valuations. These valuations reflect assumptions about financial market and other economic conditions, which may change based on changes in key economic indicators. The most significant year-end assumptions we used to estimate pension income or expense for 2010 are the discount rate and the expected long-term rate of return on plans assets. In addition, we are required to make an annual measurement of plan assets and liabilities, which may result in a significant change to equity through a reduction or increase to Accumulated gains (losses) – net, Benefit plans. At the end of 2009, the projected benefit obligation of our U.S. principal pension plans was $48.1 billion and assets were $42.1 billion. For a discussion regarding how our financial statements can be affected by pension plan accounting policies, see Critical Accounting Estimates – Pension Assumptions in Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K Report. Although GAAP expense and pension funding contributions are not directly related, key economic factors that affect GAAP expense would also likely affect the amount of cash we would contribute to pension plans as required under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). Failure to achieve expected returns on plan assets could also result in an increase to the amount of cash we would be required to contribute to pension plans. In addition, upward pressure on the cost of providing healthcare benefits to current employees and retirees may increase future funding obligations. Although we have actively sought to control increases in these costs, there can be no assurance that we will succeed in limiting cost increases, and continued upward pressure could reduce our profitability.


 
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Conditions in the financial and credit markets may affect the availability and cost of GE Capital’s funding.
 
A large portion of GE Capital’s borrowings is in the form of commercial paper and long-term debt. GE Capital’s outstanding commercial paper and long-term debt was $42 billion and $399 billion as of December 31, 2009, respectively. While we have fully prefunded our planned 2010 long-term debt requirements, we continue to rely on the availability of the unsecured debt markets to access funding for term maturities beyond 2010. In addition, we rely on the availability of the commercial paper markets to refinance maturing short-term commercial paper debt throughout the year. In order to further diversify our funding sources, we also plan to expand our reliance on alternative sources of funding, including bank deposits, securitizations and other asset-based funding. There can be no assurance that we will succeed in diversifying our funding sources or that the short and long-term credit markets will be available or, if available, that the cost of funding will not substantially increase and affect the overall profitability of GE Capital. Factors that may cause an increase in our funding costs include: a decreased reliance on short-term funding, such as commercial paper, in favor of longer-term funding arrangements; refinancing of funding that we have obtained under the FDIC Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program (TLGP) at market rates at the time such funding matures; decreased capacity and increased competition among debt issuers; and our credit ratings in effect at the time of refinancing. If GE Capital’s cost of funding were to increase, it may adversely affect its competitive position and result in lower lending margins, earnings and cash flows as well as lower returns on its shareowner’s equity and invested capital. While we currently do not anticipate any equity offerings, other sources of funding that involve the issuance of additional equity securities would be dilutive to our existing shareowners.
 
Difficult conditions in the financial services markets have materially and adversely affected the business and results of operations of GE Capital and these conditions may persist.
 
Declines in the real estate markets, increased payment defaults and foreclosures and sustained levels of high unemployment have resulted in significant write-downs of asset values by financial institutions, including GE Capital. If these conditions continue or worsen, there can be no assurance that we will be able to recover fully the value of certain assets, including goodwill, intangibles and tax assets. In addition, although we have established allowances for losses in GE Capital’s portfolio of financing receivables that we believe are adequate, further deterioration in the economy and in default and recovery rates could require us to increase these allowances and write-offs, which, depending on the amount of the increase, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position and results of operations. To reduce GE’s exposure to volatile conditions in the financial markets and rebalance the relative size of its financial and industrial businesses, we have decided to reduce the size of GE Capital, as measured by its ending net investment. There can be no assurance that we will be able to timely execute on our reduction targets and failure to do so would result in greater exposure to financial markets than contemplated under our strategic funding plan or may result in the need for us to make additional contributions to GE Capital.

The soundness of other financial institutions could adversely affect GE Capital.
 
GE Capital has exposure to many different industries and counterparties, and routinely executes transactions with counterparties in the financial services industry, including brokers and dealers, commercial banks, investment banks and other institutional clients. Many of these transactions expose GE Capital to credit risk in the event of default of its counterparty or client. In addition, GE Capital’s credit risk may be increased when the collateral held cannot be realized upon sale or is liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount of the loan or derivative exposure due to it. GE Capital also has exposure to these financial institutions in the form of unsecured debt instruments held in its investment portfolios. GE Capital has policies relating to initial credit rating requirements and to exposure limits to counterparties (as described in Note 22 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K Report), which are designed to limit credit and liquidity risk. There can be no assurance, however, that any losses or impairments to the carrying value of financial assets would not materially and adversely affect GE Capital’s business, financial position and results of operations.
 
 
 
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The real estate markets in which GE Capital participates are highly uncertain.
 
GE Capital participates in the commercial real estate market in two ways: it provides financing for the acquisition, refinancing and renovation of various types of properties, and it also acquires equity positions in various types of properties. The profitability of real estate investments is largely dependent upon the economic conditions in specific geographic markets in which the properties are located and the perceived value of those markets at the time of sale. The level of transactions for real estate assets may vary significantly from one year to the next. Continued high levels of unemployment, slowdown in business activity, excess inventory capacity and limited availability of credit are expected to continue to adversely affect the value of real estate assets and collateral to real estate loans GE Capital holds. Under current market and credit conditions, there can be no assurance as to the level of sales GE Capital will complete or the net sales proceeds it will realize. Also, occupancy rates and market rentals may worsen, which may result in impairments to the carrying value of equity investments or increases in the allowance for loan losses on commercial real estate loans.
 
GE Capital is also a residential mortgage lender in certain geographic markets outside the United States that have been, and may continue to be, adversely affected by declines in real estate values and home sale volumes, job losses, consumer bankruptcies and other factors that may negatively impact the credit performance of our mortgage loans. Our allowance for loan losses on these mortgage loans is based on our analysis of current and historical delinquency and loan performance, as well as other management assumptions that may be inaccurate predictions of credit performance in this environment. There can be no assurance that, in this environment, credit performance will not be materially worse than anticipated and, as a result, materially and adversely affect GE Capital’s business, financial position and results of operations.
 
Failure to maintain our credit ratings could adversely affect our cost of funds and related margins, liquidity, competitive position and access to capital markets.
 
The major debt rating agencies routinely evaluate our debt. This evaluation is based on a number of factors, which include financial strength as well as transparency with rating agencies and timeliness of financial reporting. In March 2009, Standard & Poor’s (S&P) downgraded GE and GE Capital’s long-term rating by one notch from “AAA” to “AA+” and, at the same time, revised the outlook from negative to stable. In addition, Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s) downgraded GE and GE Capital’s long-term rating by two notches from “Aaa” to “Aa2” with a stable outlook. The short-term ratings of “A-1+/P-1” were affirmed by both rating agencies at the same time with respect to GE, GE Capital Services and GE Capital. There can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain our credit ratings and failure to do so could adversely affect our cost of funds and related margins, liquidity, competitive position and access to capital markets. Various debt instruments, guarantees and covenants would require posting additional capital or collateral in the event of a ratings downgrade, which, depending on the extent of the downgrade, could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and capital position.


 
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Current conditions in the global economy and the major industries we serve also may materially and adversely affect the business and results of operations of our non-financial businesses.
 
The business and operating results of our technology infrastructure, energy infrastructure, consumer and industrial and media businesses have been, and will continue to be, affected by worldwide economic conditions, including conditions in the air and rail transportation, energy generation, healthcare, media and other major industries we serve. As a result of slowing global economic growth, the credit market crisis, declining consumer and business confidence, increased unemployment, reduced levels of capital expenditures, fluctuating commodity prices, bankruptcies and other challenges currently affecting the global economy, some of our customers have experienced deterioration of their businesses, cash flow shortages, and difficulty obtaining financing. As a result, existing or potential customers may delay or cancel plans to purchase our products and services, including large infrastructure projects, and may not be able to fulfill their obligations to us in a timely fashion. In particular, the airline industry is highly cyclical, and the level of demand for air travel is correlated to the strength of the U.S. and international economies. A prolonged economic downturn in the U.S. or internationally that continues to result in the loss of business and leisure traffic could have a material adverse effect on our airline customers and the viability of their business. Service contract cancellations could affect our ability to fully recover our contract costs and estimated earnings. Further, our vendors may be experiencing similar conditions, which may impact their ability to fulfill their obligations to us. If the global economic slowdown continues for a significant period or there is significant further deterioration in the global economy, our results of operations, financial position and cash flows could be materially adversely affected.
 
We are dependent on market acceptance of new product introductions and product innovations for continued revenue growth.
 
The markets in which we operate are subject to technological change. Our long-term operating results depend substantially upon our ability to continually develop, introduce, and market new and innovative products, to modify existing products, to respond to technological change, and to customize certain products to meet customer requirements. There are numerous risks inherent in this process, including the risks that we will be unable to anticipate the direction of technological change or that we will be unable to develop and market new products and applications in a timely fashion to satisfy customer demands.

Our Intellectual property portfolio may not prevent competitors from independently developing products and services similar to or duplicative to ours, and we may not be able to obtain necessary licenses.
 
Our patents and other intellectual property may not prevent competitors from independently developing products and services similar to or duplicative of ours, and there can be no assurance that the resources invested by us to protect our intellectual property will be sufficient or that our intellectual property portfolio will adequately deter misappropriation or improper use of our technology. In addition, we may be the target of aggressive and opportunistic enforcement of patents by third parties, including non-practicing entities. Regardless of the merit of such claims, responding to infringement claims can be expensive and time-consuming. If GE is found to infringe any third-party rights, we could be required to pay substantial damages or we could be enjoined from offering some of our products and services. Also, there can be no assurances that we will be able to obtain or re-new from third parties the licenses we need in the future, and there is no assurance that such licenses can be obtained on reasonable terms.

Significant raw material shortages, supplier capacity constraints, supplier production disruptions, supplier quality issues or price increases could increase our operating costs and adversely impact the competitive positions of our products.
 
Our reliance on third-party suppliers, contract manufacturers and service providers and commodity markets to secure raw materials, parts, components and sub-systems used in our products exposes us to volatility in the prices and availability of these materials, parts, components, systems and services. A disruption in deliveries from our third-party suppliers, contract manufacturers or service providers, capacity constraints, production disruptions, price increases, or decreased availability of raw materials or commodities, could have an adverse effect on our ability to meet our commitments to customers or increase our operating costs. Quality issues experienced by third-party providers can also adversely affect the quality and effectiveness of our products and services and result in liability and reputational harm.


 
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There are risks inherent in owning our common stock.
 
The market price and volume of our common stock have been, and may continue to be, subject to significant fluctuations. These may arise from general stock market conditions, the impact of the risk factors described above on our financial condition and results of operations, a change in sentiment in the market regarding us or our business prospects or from other factors. Changes in the amounts and frequency of share repurchases or dividends could adversely affect the value of our common stock.

 
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
 
Not applicable.

 
Item 2. Properties.
 
Manufacturing operations are carried out at approximately 235 manufacturing plants located in 40 states in the United States and Puerto Rico and at approximately 240 manufacturing plants located in 41 other countries.

 
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
 
As previously reported, in July and September 2008, shareholders filed two purported class actions under the federal securities laws in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut naming us as defendant, as well as our chief executive officer and chief financial officer. These two actions have been consolidated, and in January 2009, a consolidated complaint was filed alleging that we and our chief executive officer made false and misleading statements that artificially inflated our stock price between March 12, 2008 and April 10, 2008, when we announced that our results for the first quarter of 2008 would not meet our previous guidance and we also lowered our full year guidance for 2008. The case seeks unspecified damages. Our motion to dismiss the consolidated complaint was filed in March 2009 and is currently under consideration by the court. We intend to defend ourselves vigorously.
 
As previously reported, in October 2008, shareholders filed a purported class action under the federal securities laws in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York naming us as defendant, as well as our chief executive officer and chief financial officer. The complaint alleges that during a conference call with analysts on September 25, 2008, defendants made false and misleading statements concerning (i) the state of GE’s funding, cash flows, and liquidity and (ii) the question of issuing additional equity, which caused economic loss to those shareholders who purchased GE stock between September 25, 2008 and October 2, 2008, when we announced the pricing of a common stock offering. The case seeks unspecified damages. Our motion to dismiss the second amended complaint was filed in January 2010 and is currently under consideration by the court. We intend to defend ourselves vigorously.
 
As previously reported, in March and April 2009, shareholders filed purported class actions under the federal securities laws in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York naming as defendants GE, a number of GE officers (including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer) and our directors. The complaints, which have now been consolidated, seek unspecified damages based on allegations related to statements regarding the GE dividend and projected losses and earnings for GE Capital in 2009. Our motion to dismiss the consolidated complaint was filed in November 2009 and is currently under consideration by the court. A shareholder derivative action has been filed in federal court in Connecticut in May 2009 making essentially the same allegations as the New York actions. We have moved to consolidate the Connecticut derivative action with the recently consolidated New York actions. We intend to defend ourselves vigorously.
 

 
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As previously reported, the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the SEC are conducting an industry-wide investigation of marketing and sales of guaranteed investment contracts, and other financial instruments, to municipalities. In connection with this investigation, two subsidiaries of GE Capital have received subpoenas and requests for information in connection with the investigation: GE Funding CMS (Trinity Funding Co.) and GE Funding Capital Market Services, Inc. (GE FCMS). GE Capital has cooperated and continues to cooperate fully with the SEC and DOJ in this matter. In July 2008, GE FCMS received a “Wells notice” advising that the SEC staff is considering recommending that the SEC bring a civil injunctive action or institute an administrative proceeding in connection with the bidding for various financial instruments associated with municipal securities by certain former employees of GE FCMS. GE FCMS is one of several industry participants that received Wells notices during 2008. GE FCMS disagrees with the SEC staff regarding this recommendation and has been in discussions with the staff, including discussion of potential resolution of the matter. GE FCMS intends to continue these discussions and understands that it will have the opportunity to address any disagreements with the SEC staff with respect to its recommendation through the Wells process with the full Commission. In March 2008, GE FCMS and Trinity Funding Co., LLC (Trinity Funding) were served with a federal class action complaint asserting antitrust violations. This action has been combined with other related actions in a multidistrict litigation proceeding in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. In addition, GE FCMS and Trinity Funding also received subpoenas from the Attorneys General of the State of Connecticut and Florida on behalf of a working group of State Attorneys General in June 2008. GE FCMS and Trinity Funding are cooperating with those investigations.

As previously reported, and in compliance with SEC requirements to disclose environmental proceedings potentially involving monetary sanctions of $100,000 or greater, in June 2008, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a notice of violation alleging non-compliance with the Clean Air Act at a power cogeneration plant in Homer City, PA. The plant is operated exclusively by EME Homer City Generation L.P., and is owned and leased to EME Homer City Generation L.P. by subsidiaries of GE Capital. The notice of violation does not indicate a specific penalty amount but makes reference to statutory fines. We believe that we have meritorious defenses and that EME Homer City Generation L.P. is obligated to indemnify GE Capital’s subsidiaries and pay all costs associated with this matter.
 

 
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
 
Not applicable.

 
(21)

 

 
Part II
 
 
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
 
With respect to “Market Information,” in the United States, GE common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (its principal market). GE common stock is also listed on the London Stock Exchange and on Euronext Paris. Trading prices, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., Composite Transactions Tape, and dividend information follow:

 
Common stock market price
 
Dividends
(In dollars)
High
 
Low
 
declared
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2009 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fourth quarter
$
16.87 
 
$
14.15 
 
$
0.10 
Third quarter
 
17.52 
 
 
10.50 
 
 
0.10 
Second quarter
 
14.55 
 
 
9.80 
 
 
0.10 
First quarter
 
17.24 
 
 
5.87 
 
 
0.31 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2008 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fourth quarter
$
25.75 
 
$
12.58 
 
$
0.31 
Third quarter
 
30.39 
 
 
22.16 
 
 
0.31 
Second quarter
 
38.52 
 
 
26.15 
 
 
0.31 
First quarter
 
37.74 
 
 
31.65 
 
 
0.31 


As of January 31, 2010, there were approximately 598,000 shareowner accounts of record.


 
(22)

 

During the fourth quarter of 2009, we purchased shares of our common stock as follows.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Approximate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
dollar value
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total number
 
of shares that
 
 
 
 
 
 
of shares
 
may yet be
 
 
 
 
 
 
purchased
 
purchased
 
 
 
 
 
 
as part of
 
under our
 
 
Total number
 
Average
 
of our share
 
share
 
 
of shares
 
price paid
 
repurchase
 
repurchase
Period(a)
 
purchased
(a)(b)
per share
 
program
(a)(c)
program
(Shares in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2009 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
October
 
 
643 
 
$
 15.82 
 
 
533 
 
 
 
November
 
 
949 
 
$
 15.70 
 
 
812 
 
 
 
December
 
 
1,454 
 
$
 15.42 
 
 
957 
 
 
 
Total
 
 
3,046 
 
$
 15.59 
 
 
2,302 
$
11.7 
billion
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(a)
Information is presented on a fiscal calendar basis, consistent with our quarterly financial reporting.
 
(b)
This category includes 744 thousand shares repurchased from our various benefit plans, primarily the GE Savings and Security Program (the S&SP). Through the S&SP, a defined contribution plan with Internal Revenue Service Code 401(k) features, we repurchase shares resulting from changes in investment options by plan participants.
 
(c)
This balance represents the number of shares that were repurchased from the GE Stock Direct Plan, a direct stock purchase plan that is available to the public. Repurchases from GE Stock Direct are part of the 2007 GE Share Repurchase Program (the Program) under which we are authorized to repurchase up to $15 billion of our common stock through 2010. The Program is flexible and shares are acquired with a combination of borrowings and free cash flow from the public markets and other sources, including GE Stock Direct. Effective September 25, 2008, we suspended the Program for purchases other than from GE Stock Direct.
 

For information regarding compensation plans under which equity securities are authorized for issuance, see Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K Report.

 
(23)

 


Five-year financial performance graph: 2005-2009
 
Comparison of five-year cumulative return among GE, S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average
 
The annual changes for the five-year period shown in the graph on this page are based on the assumption that $100 had been invested in GE stock, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index (S&P 500) and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) on December 31, 2004, and that all quarterly dividends were reinvested. The total cumulative dollar returns shown on the graph represent the value that such investments would have had on December 31, 2009.
 
 
 
 

 
 
2004 
 
 
2005 
 
 
2006 
 
 
2007 
 
 
2008 
 
 
2009 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GE
$
100 
 
$
99 
 
$
108 
 
$
111 
 
$
51 
 
$
49 
S&P 500
 
100 
 
 
105 
 
 
121 
 
 
128 
 
 
81 
 
 
102 
DJIA
 
100 
 
 
102 
 
 
121 
 
 
132 
 
 
90 
 
 
110 

 
(24)

 


 
Item 6. Selected Financial Data.
 
The following table provides key information for Consolidated, GE and GECS.
 
(Dollars in millions; per-share amounts in dollars)
2009 
 
2008 
 
2007 
 
2006 
 
2005 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
General Electric Company and
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Affiliates
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Revenues
$
 156,783 
 
$
 182,515 
 
$
 172,488 
 
$
 151,568 
 
$
 136,262 
 
   Earnings from continuing operations attributable to the Company
 
 11,218 
 
 
 18,089 
 
 
 22,457 
   
 19,344 
   
 17,279 
 
   Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      attributable to the Company
 
 (193)
 
 
 (679)
 
 
 (249)
 
 
 1,398 
   
 (559)
 
   Net earnings attributable to the Company
 
 11,025 
 
 
 17,410 
 
 
 22,208 
   
 20,742 
   
 16,720 
 
   Dividends declared(a)
 
 6,785 
 
 
 12,649 
 
 
 11,713 
   
 10,675 
   
 9,647 
 
   Return on average GE shareowners’ equity(b)
 
 10.1 
%
 
 15.9 
%
 
 20.4 
%
 
 19.8 
%
 
 18.1 
%
   Per common share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      Earnings from continuing operations – diluted
$
 1.03 
 
$
 1.78 
 
$
 2.20 
 
$
 1.86 
 
$
 1.63 
 
      Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations – diluted
 
 (0.02)
 
 
 (0.07)
 
 
 (0.02)
 
 
 0.13 
   
 (0.05)
 
      Net earnings – diluted
 
 1.01 
 
 
 1.72 
 
 
 2.17 
   
 2.00 
   
 1.57 
 
      Earnings from continuing operations – basic
 
 1.03 
 
 
 1.79 
 
 
 2.21 
   
 1.87 
   
 1.63 
 
      Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations – basic
 
 (0.02)
 
 
 (0.07)
 
 
 (0.02)
 
 
 0.14 
   
 (0.05)
 
      Net earnings – basic
 
 1.01 
 
 
 1.72 
 
 
 2.18 
   
 2.00 
   
 1.58 
 
      Dividends declared
 
 0.61 
 
 
 1.24 
 
 
 1.15 
   
 1.03 
   
 0.91 
 
      Stock price range
17.52-5.87
 
38.52-12.58
 
42.15-33.90
 
38.49-32.06
 
37.34-32.67
 
      Year-end closing stock price
 
 15.13 
 
 
 16.20 
 
 
 37.07 
   
 37.21 
   
 35.05 
 
Cash and equivalents
 
 72,260 
 
 
 48,187 
 
 
 15,731 
   
 14,086 
   
 8,608 
 
Total assets of continuing operations
 
 780,298 
 
 
 796,046 
 
 
 786,794 
   
 674,966 
   
 588,821 
 
Total assets
 
 781,818 
 
 
 797,769 
 
 
 795,683 
   
 697,273 
   
 673,210 
 
Long-term borrowings
 
 338,215 
 
 
 322,847 
 
 
 318,530 
   
 260,656 
   
 212,082 
 
Common shares outstanding – average (in thousands)
10,613,717 
 
10,079,923 
 
10,182,083 
 
10,359,320 
 
10,569,805 
 
Common shareowner accounts – average
 
 605,000 
 
 
 604,000 
 
 
 608,000 
   
 624,000 
   
 634,000 
 
Employees at year end
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   United States
 
 134,000 
 
 
 152,000 
 
 
 155,000 
   
 155,000 
   
 161,000 
 
   Other countries
 
 154,000 
 
 
 171,000 
 
 
 172,000 
   
 164,000 
   
 155,000 
 
      BAC Credomatic GECF Inc.(c)
 
 16,000 
 
 
– 
 
 
– 
 
 
– 
 
 
– 
 
Total employees
 
 304,000 
 
 
 323,000 
 
 
 327,000 
   
 319,000 
   
 316,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GE data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Short-term borrowings
$
 504 
 
$
 2,375 
 
$
 4,106 
 
$
 2,076 
 
$
 972 
 
   Long-term borrowings
 
 11,681 
 
 
 9,827 
   
 11,656 
   
 9,043 
   
 8,986 
 
   Noncontrolling interests
 
 5,797 
 
 
 6,678 
   
 6,503 
   
 5,544 
   
 5,308 
 
   GE shareowners’ equity
 
 117,291 
 
 
 104,665 
   
 115,559 
   
 111,509 
   
 108,633 
 
      Total capital invested
$
 135,273 
 
$
 123,545 
 
$
 137,824 
 
$
 128,172 
 
$
 123,899 
 
   Return on average total capital invested(b)
 
 9.5 
%
 
 14.8 
%
 
 18.9 
%
 
 18.5 
%
 
 16.7 
%
   Borrowings as a percentage of total capital invested(b)
 
 9.0 
%
 
 9.9 
%
 
 11.4 
%
 
 8.7 
%
 
 8.0 
%
   Working capital(b)
$
 (1,596)
 
$
 3,904 
 
$
 6,433 
 
$
 7,527 
 
$
 7,853 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GECS data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Revenues
$
 54,163 
 
$
 71,287 
 
$
 71,936 
 
$
 61,351 
 
$
 54,889 
 
   Earnings from continuing operations attributable to GECS
 
 1,590 
 
 
 7,774 
   
 12,417 
   
 10,219 
   
 8,929 
 
   Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      attributable to GECS
 
 (175)
 
 
 (719)
 
 
 (2,116)
 
 
 439 
   
 (1,352)
 
   Net earnings attributable to GECS
 
 1,415 
 
 
 7,055 
   
 10,301 
   
 10,658 
   
 7,577 
 
   GECS shareowner’s equity
 
 70,833 
 
 
 53,279 
   
 57,676 
   
 54,097 
   
 50,812 
 
   Total borrowings and bank deposits
 
 500,334 
 
 
 514,601 
   
 500,922 
   
 426,262 
   
 362,042 
 
   Ratio of debt to equity at GE Capital
 
6.74:1
(d)
 
8.76:1
(d)
 
8.10:1
   
7.52:1
   
7.09:1
 
   Total assets
$
 650,241 
 
$
 660,902 
 
$
 646,485 
 
$
 565,258 
 
$
 540,584 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Transactions between GE and GECS have been eliminated from the consolidated information.
 
(a)
Included $300 million and $75 million of preferred stock dividends in 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
(b)
Indicates terms are defined in the Glossary.
 
(c)
In 2009, we consolidated BAC Credomatic GECF Inc. (BAC) as a result of an increase in our ownership from 49.99% to 75%.
 
(d)
Ratios of 5.22:1 and 7.07:1 for 2009 and 2008, respectively, net of cash and equivalents and with classification of hybrid debt as equity.
 

 
(25)

 


 
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
 
Operations
 
Our consolidated financial statements combine the industrial manufacturing, services and media businesses of General Electric Company (GE) with the financial services businesses of General Electric Capital Services, Inc. (GECS or financial services).

In the accompanying analysis of financial information, we sometimes use information derived from consolidated financial information but not presented in our financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Certain of these data are considered “non-GAAP financial measures” under the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules. For such measures, we have provided supplemental explanations and reconciliations in the Supplemental Information section.

We present Management’s Discussion of Operations in five parts: Overview of Our Earnings from 2007 through 2009, Global Risk Management, Segment Operations, Geographic Operations and Environmental Matters. Unless otherwise indicated, we refer to captions such as revenues and earnings from continuing operations attributable to the company simply as “revenues” and “earnings” throughout this Management’s Discussion and Analysis. Similarly, discussion of other matters in our consolidated financial statements relates to continuing operations unless otherwise indicated.

Effective January 1, 2010, we reorganized our segments to better align our Consumer & Industrial and Energy businesses for growth. As a result of this reorganization, we created a new segment called Home & Business Solutions that includes the Appliances and Lighting businesses from our previous Consumer & Industrial segment and the retained portion of the GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms business of our previous Enterprise Solutions business (formerly within our Technology Infrastructure segment). In addition, the Industrial business of our previous Consumer & Industrial segment and the Sensing & Inspection Technologies and Digital Energy businesses of our previous Enterprise Solutions business are now part of the Energy business within the Energy Infrastructure segment. The Security business of Enterprise Solutions will be reported in Corporate Items and Eliminations pending its expected sale. Also, effective January 1, 2010, the Capital Finance segment was renamed GE Capital and includes all of the continuing operations of General Electric Capital Corporation. In addition, the Transportation Financial Services business, previously reported in GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), will be included in Commercial Lending and Leasing (CLL) and our Consumer business in Italy, previously reported in Consumer, will be included in CLL.

Results for 2009 and prior periods are reported on the basis under which we managed our business in 2009 and do not reflect the January 2010 reorganization described above.

Overview of Our Earnings from 2007 through 2009
 
Net earnings attributable to the Company decreased 37% in 2009 and 22% in 2008, reflecting the challenging economic conditions of the last two years and the effect on both our industrial and financial services businesses. Our financial services businesses were most significantly affected as GECS net earnings attributable to the Company fell 80% in 2009 and 32% in 2008. Excluding the financial services businesses, our net earnings attributable to the Company decreased 7% in 2009 and 13% in 2008, reflecting the weakened global economy and challenging market conditions. We believe that we are beginning to see signs of stabilization in the global economy. We have a strong backlog entering 2010 and are positioned for global growth in 2011 and 2012.

Energy Infrastructure (21% and 24% of consolidated three-year revenues and total segment profit, respectively) has grown significantly over the last several years as the worldwide demand for energy, and for alternative sources of power, such as wind and thermal, rose to new levels. Revenues decreased 4% in 2009 after increasing 26% in 2008, and segment profit increased 13% and 26% in 2009 and 2008, respectively. We continue to invest in market-leading technology and services at Energy and Oil & Gas.


 
(26)

 

Technology Infrastructure (26% and 31% of consolidated three-year revenues and total segment profit, respectively) revenues and earnings both fell 8% in 2009 after rising 8% and 3%, respectively, in 2008. We continue to invest in market-leading technologies and services at Aviation, Healthcare and Transportation. Aviation generated strong revenues and earnings as one of the world’s leading providers of aircraft engines and services. Healthcare revenues and earnings trended down in 2009, reflecting the generally weak global economic conditions and continued uncertainty in the healthcare markets. Transportation revenues and earnings fell 24% and 51%, respectively, in 2009 after rising 11% and 3%, respectively, in 2008 as the weakened economy has driven overall reductions in U.S. freight traffic and we updated our estimate of long-term product service costs.

NBC Universal (NBCU) (9% and 11% of consolidated three-year revenues and total segment profit, respectively) is a diversified media and entertainment company that has grown over the past several years through business and geographic diversity. NBCU revenues fell 9% and earnings decreased 28% in 2009 compared with a 10% increase in revenues and flat earnings in 2008. While the television and film businesses continue to be challenged by the effects of a difficult economy, our cable business continues to grow and become more profitable. In 2010, we expect to transfer the assets of the NBCU business to a newly formed entity, which will consist of our NBCU businesses and Comcast Corporation's cable networks, regional sports networks, certain digital properties and certain unconsolidated investments. Pursuant to the transaction, we will receive cash and will own a 49% interest in the newly formed entity. As a result, we have classified NBCU assets and liabilities as held for sale in our Statement of Financial Position.

Capital Finance (36% and 31% of consolidated three-year revenues and total segment profit, respectively) earnings declined to $2.3 billion and $8.6 billion in 2009 and 2008, respectively, in a challenging economic environment, including disruptions in capital markets, challenging credit markets and rising unemployment. Throughout 2008 and 2009, we tightened underwriting standards, shifted teams from origination to collection and maintained a proactive risk management focus. We also reduced our ending net investment (ENI), excluding the effects of currency exchange rates, from $525 billion at December 31, 2008 to $472 billion at December 31, 2009. The current credit cycle has begun to show signs of stabilization and we expect further signs of stabilization as we enter 2010. Our focus is to continue to manage through the current challenging credit environment and continue to reposition General Electric Capital Corporation (GE Capital) as a diversely funded and smaller, more focused finance company with strong positions in several mid-market, corporate and consumer financing segments.

Consumer & Industrial (7% and 2% of consolidated three-year revenues and total segment profit, respectively) is also sensitive to changes in economic conditions. Reflective of the downturn in the U.S. housing market, Consumer & Industrial revenues have declined 17% in 2009 and 7% in 2008. Over the past two years, Consumer & Industrial has worked to reposition its business by eliminating capacity in its incandescent lighting manufacturing sites and investing in energy efficient product manufacturing in locations such as Louisville, Kentucky and Bloomington, Indiana. Segment profit increased 10% in 2009 on higher prices and lower material costs and reflects these cost reduction efforts after declining 65% in 2008, primarily on higher material and other costs.

Overall, acquisitions contributed $3.4 billion, $7.4 billion and $7.7 billion to consolidated revenues in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, excluding the effects of acquisition gains following our adoption of an amendment to Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 810, Consolidation. Our consolidated net earnings included approximately $0.5 billion, $0.8 billion and $0.5 billion in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, from acquired businesses. We integrate acquisitions as quickly as possible. Only revenues and earnings from the date we complete the acquisition through the end of the fourth following quarter are attributed to such businesses. Dispositions also affected our ongoing results through lower revenues of $4.7 billion in 2009, higher revenues of $0.1 billion in 2008 and lower revenues of $3.6 billion in 2007. The effects of dispositions on net earnings were increases of $0.6 billion in 2009 and $0.4 billion in both 2008 and 2007.

Significant matters relating to our Statement of Earnings are explained below.


 
(27)

 

Discontinued Operations. In September 2007, we committed to a plan to sell our Japanese personal loan business (Lake) upon determining that, despite restructuring, Japanese regulatory limits for interest charges on unsecured personal loans did not permit us to earn an acceptable return. During 2008, we completed the sale of GE Money Japan, which included Lake, along with our Japanese mortgage and card businesses, excluding our minority ownership in GE Nissen Credit Co., Ltd. In December 2007, we completed the exit of WMC as a result of continued pressures in the U.S. subprime mortgage industry. Both of these businesses were previously reported in the Capital Finance segment.

In August 2007, we completed the sale of our Plastics business. We sold this business because of its cyclicality, rising costs of natural gas and raw materials, and the decision to redeploy capital resources into higher-growth businesses.

We reported the businesses described above as discontinued operations for all periods presented. For further information about discontinued operations, see Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K Report.

We declared $6.8 billion in dividends in 2009. Common per-share dividends of $0.61 were down 51% from 2008, following an 8% increase from the preceding year. In February 2009, we announced the reduction of the quarterly GE stock dividend by 68% from $0.31 per share to $0.10 per share, effective with the dividend approved by the Board in June 2009, which was paid in the third quarter. This reduction had the effect of reducing cash outflows of the company by approximately $4 billion in the second half of 2009 and will save approximately $9 billion annually thereafter. On February 12, 2010, our Board of Directors approved a regular quarterly dividend of $0.10 per share of common stock, which is payable April 26, 2010, to shareowners of record at close of business on March 1, 2010. In 2009, we declared $0.3 billion in preferred stock dividends compared with $0.1 billion in 2008.

Except as otherwise noted, the analysis in the remainder of this section presents the results of GE (with GECS included on a one-line basis) and GECS. See the Segment Operations section for a more detailed discussion of the businesses within GE and GECS.

GE sales of product services were $35.4 billion in 2009, about flat compared with 2008. Increases in product services at Energy Infrastructure were offset by decreases at Technology Infrastructure and Consumer & Industrial. Operating profit from product services was $10.0 billion in 2009, up 7% from 2008.

Postretirement benefit plans costs were $2.6 billion, $2.2 billion and $2.6 billion in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Costs increased in 2009 primarily because of the effects of lower discount rates (principal pension plans discount rate decreased from 6.34% at December 31, 2007 to 6.11% at December 31, 2008) and increases in early retirements resulting from restructuring activities and contractual requirements, partially offset by amortization of prior-years' investment gains and benefits from new healthcare supplier contracts. Costs decreased in 2008 primarily because of the effects of prior years' investment gains, higher discount rates and benefits from new healthcare supplier contracts, partially offset by additional costs of plan benefits resulting from union negotiations and a pensioner increase in 2007.

Considering the current and expected asset allocations, as well as historical and expected returns on various categories of assets in which our plans are invested, we have assumed that long-term returns on our principal pension plan assets will be 8.5% for cost recognition in 2010, the same level as we assumed in 2009, 2008 and 2007. GAAP provides recognition of differences between assumed and actual returns over a period no longer than the average future service of employees.

We expect the costs of our postretirement benefits, excluding the effects of 2009 restructuring activities, to increase in 2010 by approximately $1.0 billion as compared to 2009, primarily because of the effects of prior-year investment losses and lower discount rates.


 
(28)

 

Our principal pension plans were underfunded by $6.0 billion at the end of 2009 as compared to $4.4 billion at December 31, 2008. At December 31, 2009, the GE Pension Plan was underfunded by $2.2 billion and the GE Supplementary Pension Plan, which is an unfunded plan, had a projected benefit obligation of $3.8 billion. The increase in underfunding from year-end 2008 was primarily attributable to lower discount rates (principal pension plans discount rate decreased from 6.11% at December 31, 2008 to 5.78% at December 31, 2009, which increased the pension benefit obligation at year-end 2009 by approximately $1.7 billion). Our principal pension plans’ assets increased from $40.7 billion at the end of 2008 to $42.1 billion at December 31, 2009, a 10.0% increase in investment values during the year, partially offset by benefit payments. Assets of the GE Pension Plan are held in trust, solely for the benefit of Plan participants, and are not available for general company operations.

On an Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) basis, the GE Pension Plan remains fully funded at January 1, 2010. We will not make any contributions to the GE Pension Plan in 2010. Assuming our 2010 actual experience is consistent with our current benefit assumptions (e.g., expected return on assets and interest rates), we will not be required to make contributions to the GE Pension Plan in 2011.

At December 31, 2009, the fair value of assets for our other pension plans was $2.7 billion less than the respective projected benefit obligations. The comparable amount at December 31, 2008, was $2.4 billion. We expect to contribute $0.6 billion to our other pension plans in 2010, compared with actual contributions of $0.7 billion and $0.6 billion in 2009 and 2008, respectively. We fund our retiree health benefits on a pay-as-you-go basis. The unfunded liability for our principal retiree health and life plans was $11.6 billion and $10.8 billion at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. This increase was primarily attributable to lower discount rates (retiree health and life plans discount rate decreased from 6.15% at December 31, 2008 to 5.67% at December 31, 2009), which increased the unfunded liability by approximately $0.6 billion. We expect to contribute $0.7 billion to these plans in 2010 compared with actual contributions of $0.6 billion in 2009 and 2008.

The funded status of our postretirement benefits plans and future effects on operating results depend on economic conditions and investment performance. See Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K Report for additional information about funded status, components of earnings effects and actuarial assumptions.

GE other costs and expenses are selling, general and administrative expenses. These costs were 14.3%, 12.9% and 14.2% of total GE sales in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Interest on borrowings and other financial charges amounted to $18.8 billion, $26.2 billion and $23.8 billion in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Substantially all of our borrowings are in financial services, where interest expense was $17.9 billion, $25.1 billion and $22.7 billion in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. GECS average borrowings declined from 2008 to 2009 after increasing from 2007 to 2008, in line with changes in average GECS assets. Interest rates have decreased over the three-year period attributable to declining global benchmark interest rates, partially offset by higher average credit spreads. GECS average borrowings were $499.2 billion, $521.2 billion and $456.4 billion in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The GECS average composite effective interest rate was 3.6% in 2009, 4.8% in 2008 and 5.0% in 2007. In 2009, GECS average assets of $649.6 billion were 3% lower than in 2008, which in turn were 13% higher than in 2007. We anticipate that GECS composite effective rates will begin to rise in 2010 as benchmark rates begin to rise globally. See the Liquidity and Borrowings section for a discussion of liquidity, borrowings and interest rate risk management.

Income taxes have a significant effect on our net earnings. As a global commercial enterprise, our tax rates are affected by many factors, including our global mix of earnings, the extent to which those global earnings are indefinitely reinvested outside the United States, legislation, acquisitions, dispositions and tax characteristics of our income. Our tax returns are routinely audited and settlements of issues raised in these audits sometimes affect our tax provisions.


 
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Income taxes (benefit) on consolidated earnings from continuing operations were (10.5)% in 2009 compared with 5.3% in 2008 and 15.1% in 2007. Our consolidated income tax rate is lower than the U.S. statutory rate primarily because of benefits from lower-taxed global operations, including the use of global funding structures, and our 2009 and 2008 decisions to indefinitely reinvest prior-year earnings outside the U.S.

Our consolidated income tax rate decreased from 2008 to 2009 primarily because of a reduction during 2009 of income in higher-taxed jurisdictions. This increased the relative effect of our tax benefits from lower-taxed global operations, including the decision, discussed below, to indefinitely reinvest prior-year earnings outside the U.S. These effects were partially offset by a decrease from 2008 to 2009 in the benefit from lower-taxed earnings from global operations.

Cash taxes paid in 2009 were $2.5 billion, reflecting the effects of changes to temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities and their tax bases, including the decision, discussed below, to indefinitely reinvest prior-year earnings outside the U.S.

Our consolidated income tax rate decreased from 2007 to 2008 primarily because of a reduction during 2008 of income in higher-taxed jurisdictions. This increased the relative effect of tax benefits from lower-taxed global operations on the tax rate. In addition, earnings from lower-taxed global operations increased from 2007 to 2008. The increase in the benefit from lower-taxed global operations includes a benefit from the 2008 decision to indefinitely reinvest prior-year earnings outside the U.S., because the use of foreign tax credits no longer required the repatriation of those prior-year earnings.

A more detailed analysis of differences between the U.S. federal statutory rate and the consolidated rate, as well as other information about our income tax provisions, is provided in Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K Report. The nature of business activities and associated income taxes differ for GE and for GECS and a separate analysis of each is presented in the paragraphs that follow.

Because GE tax expense does not include taxes on GECS earnings, the GE effective tax rate is best analyzed in relation to GE earnings excluding GECS. GE pre-tax earnings from continuing operations, excluding GECS earnings from continuing operations, were $12.6 billion, $14.2 billion and $13.5 billion for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. On this basis, GE’s effective tax rate was 21.8% in 2009, 24.2% in 2008 and 20.6% in 2007.

Resolution of audit matters reduced the GE effective tax rate throughout this period. The effects of such resolutions are included in the following captions in Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K Report.
 
 
Audit resolutions –
 
 
effect on GE tax rate, excluding GECS earnings
 
 
2009 
 
2008 
 
2007 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tax on global activities including exports
 
 (0.4)
%
 
– 
%
 
 (2.6)
%
All other – net
 
 (0.2)
 
 
 (0.6)
 
 
 (2.3)
 
 
 
 (0.6)
%
 
 (0.6)
%
 
 (4.9)
%


The GE effective tax rate decreased from 2008 to 2009 primarily because of the 3.6 percentage point increase in the benefit from lower-taxed earnings from global operations, excluding audit resolutions.
 
 
The GE effective tax rate increased from 2007 to 2008 because of the 4.3 percentage point lower 2008 benefit from favorable audit resolutions, partially offset by a 1.2 percentage point increase in the benefit in lower-taxed earnings from global operations, excluding audit resolutions.

The 2007 GE rate reflects the favorable audit resolutions shown above and the benefit of lower-taxed earnings from global operations.


 
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The GECS effective tax rate was 173.4% in 2009, compared with (42.2)% in 2008 and 9.7% in 2007. GE and GECS file a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return that enables GE to use GECS tax deductions and credits to reduce the tax that otherwise would have been payable by GE. The GECS effective tax rate for each period reflects the benefit of these tax reductions. GE makes cash payments to GECS for these tax reductions at the time GE’s tax payments are due.

Comparing a tax benefit to pre-tax income resulted in a negative GECS tax rate in 2008 and comparing a tax benefit to pre-tax loss results in the positive GECS tax rate in 2009. The GECS tax rate increased from 2008 to 2009 primarily because of a reduction during 2009 of income in higher-taxed jurisdictions. This had the effect of increasing the relative impact on the rate of tax benefits from lower-taxed global operations, increasing the rate 253.2 percentage points. This more than offset the decline in those benefits decreasing the rate 68.1 percentage points. The decline in tax benefits from lower-taxed global operations includes an offset of 15.9 percentage points for increased benefits from management’s decision (discussed below) in 2009 to indefinitely reinvest prior-year earnings outside the U.S. that was larger than the 2008 decision to indefinitely reinvest prior-year earnings outside the U.S.

During 2009, following the change in our external credit ratings, funding actions taken and our continued review of our operations, liquidity and funding, we determined that undistributed prior-year earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries of GECS, on which we had previously provided deferred U.S. taxes, would now be indefinitely reinvested outside the U.S. This change increased the amount of prior-year earnings indefinitely reinvested outside the U.S. by approximately $2 billion, resulting in an income tax benefit of $0.7 billion in 2009.

The GECS rate decreased from 2007 to 2008 primarily because of a reduction during 2008 of income in higher-taxed jurisdictions. This increased the relative effect of tax benefits from lower-taxed global operations on the tax rate, reducing the rate 30.8 percentage points. In addition, earnings from lower-taxed global operations increased from 2007 to 2008, causing an additional 19.9 percentage point rate reduction. The increase in the benefit from lower taxed global operations includes 6.2 percentage points from the 2008 decision to indefinitely reinvest prior-year earnings outside the U.S. because the use of foreign tax credits no longer required the repatriation of those prior-year earnings.

Global Risk Management
 
A disciplined approach to risk is important in a diversified organization such as ours in order to ensure that we are executing according to our strategic objectives and that we only accept risk for which we are adequately compensated. We evaluate risk at the individual transaction level, and evaluate aggregate risk at the customer, industry, geographic and collateral-type levels, where appropriate.

The GE Board of Directors (Board) has overall responsibility for risk oversight with a focus on the most significant risks facing the company. At the end of each year, management and the Board jointly develop a list of major risks that GE plans to prioritize in the next year. Throughout the year, the Board and the committees to which it has delegated responsibility dedicate a portion of their meetings to review and discuss specific risk topics in greater detail. Strategic and operational risks are presented and discussed in the context of the CEO’s report on operations to the Board at regularly scheduled Board meetings and at presentations to the Board and its committees by the vice chairmen, general counsel and other officers. The Board has delegated responsibility for the oversight of specific risks to Board committees as follows:


 
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·  
The Audit Committee oversees GE’s risk policies and processes relating to the financial statements and financial reporting processes, and key credit risks, liquidity risks, markets risks, compliance and the guidelines, policies and processes for monitoring and mitigating those risks. As part of its risk oversight responsibilities for GE overall, the Audit Committee also oversees risks related to GECS. At least two times a year, the Audit Committee receives a risk update, which focuses on the principal risks affecting GE as well as reporting on the company’s risk assessment and risk management guidelines, policies and processes; and the Audit Committee annually conducts an assessment of compliance issues and programs.
 
 
·  
The Public Responsibilities Committee oversees risks related to GE’s public policy initiatives, the environment and similar matters.
 
 
·  
The Management Development and Compensation Committee monitors the risks associated with management resources, structure, succession planning, development and selection processes, including evaluating the effect compensation structure may have on risk decisions.
 
 
·  
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee oversees risks related to the company’s governance structure and processes and risks arising from related person transactions.

The GE Board’s risk oversight process builds upon management’s risk assessment and mitigation processes, which include standardized reviews of long-term strategic and operational planning; executive development and evaluation; regulatory and litigation compliance; health, safety and environmental compliance; financial reporting and controllership; and information technology and security. In August 2009, GE appointed a chief risk officer (CRO) with responsibility for overseeing and coordinating risk assessment and mitigation on an enterprise-wide basis. The CRO leads the Corporate Risk Function and is responsible for the identification of key business risks, ensuring appropriate management of these risks within stated limits, and enforcement through policies and procedures. Management has two committees to further assist it in assessing and mitigating risk. The Policy Compliance Review Board (PCRB) meets between 12 and 14 times a year, is chaired by the company’s general counsel and includes the chief financial officer and other senior level functional leaders. It has principal responsibility for monitoring compliance matters across the company. The Corporate Risk Committee (CRC) meets at least four times a year, is chaired by the CRO and comprises the Chairman and CEO and other senior level business and functional leaders. It has principal responsibility for evaluating and addressing risks escalated to the CRO and Corporate Risk Function and also reports to the Board on risk.

GE's Corporate Risk Function leverages the risk infrastructures in each of our businesses, which have adopted an approach that corresponds to the company’s overall risk policies, guidelines and review mechanisms. Our risk infrastructure is designed to identify, evaluate and mitigate risks within each of the following categories:


 
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·  
Strategic. Strategic risk relates to the company’s future business plans and strategies, including the risks associated with the markets and industries in which we operate, demand for our products and services, competitive threats, technology and product innovation, mergers and acquisitions and public policy.
 
 
·  
Operational. Operational risk relates to the effectiveness of our people, integrity of our internal systems and processes, as well as external events that affect the operation of our businesses. It includes product life cycle and execution, product performance, information management and data security, business disruption, human resources and reputation.
 
 
·  
Financial. Financial risk relates to our ability to meet financial obligations and mitigate credit risk, liquidity risk and exposure to broad market risks, including volatility in foreign currency exchange and interest rates and commodity prices. Liquidity risk is the risk of being unable to accommodate liability maturities, fund asset growth and meet contractual obligations through access to funding at reasonable market rates and credit risk is the risk of financial loss arising from a customer or counterparty failure to meet its contractual obligations. We face credit risk in our industrial businesses, as well as in our GECS investing, lending and leasing activities and derivative financial instruments activities.
 
 
·  
Legal and Compliance. Legal and compliance risk relates to changes in the government and regulatory environment, compliance requirements with policies and procedures, including those relating to financial reporting, environmental health and safety, and intellectual property risks. Government and regulatory risk is the risk that the government or regulatory actions will cause us to have to change our business models or practices.

Risks identified through our risk management processes are prioritized and, depending on the probability and severity of the risk, escalated to the CRO. The CRO, in coordination with the CRC, assigns responsibility of the risks to the business or functional leader most suited to manage the risk. Assigned owners are required to continually monitor, evaluate and report on risks for which they bear responsibility. We have general response strategies for managing risks, which categorize risks according to whether the company will avoid, transfer, reduce or accept the risk. These response strategies are tailored to ensure that risks are within acceptable GE Board tolerance levels.

Depending on the nature of the risk involved and the particular business or function affected, we use a wide variety of risk mitigation strategies, including hedging, standardized processes, approvals and operating reviews, insurance and strategic planning reviews. As a matter of policy, we generally hedge the risk of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and commodity prices. Our service businesses employ a comprehensive tollgate process leading up to and through the execution of a contractual service agreement to mitigate legal, financial and operational risks. Furthermore, we centrally manage certain risks through insurance determined by the balance between the level of risk retained or assumed and the cost of transferring risk to others. We counteract the risk of fluctuations in economic activity and customer demand by monitoring industry dynamics and responding accordingly, including by adjusting capacity, implementing cost reductions and engaging in mergers and acquisitions.

GECS Risk Management and Oversight
 
GECS has developed a robust risk infrastructure and processes to manage risks related to its businesses and the GE Corporate Risk Function relies upon them in fulfillment of its mission. As discussed above, the GE Audit Committee oversees GECS’ risk assessment and management processes.

At the GECS level, the GECS Board of Directors oversees the GECS risk management process, and approves all significant acquisitions and dispositions as well as significant borrowings and investments. All participants in the GECS risk management process must comply with approval limits established by the GECS Board.


 
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GE Capital has established an Enterprise Risk Management Committee (ERMC), comprising the most senior leaders in GE Capital, which has oversight responsibility for identifying, assessing, mitigating and monitoring risk across the entire GE Capital enterprise, including credit, market, operational, legal & compliance, liquidity and funding risk. GE Capital, in coordination with and under the oversight of the GE CRO, provides comprehensive risk reports to the GE Audit Committee. At these meetings, which will occur at least four times a year, GE Capital senior management will focus on the risk strategy and financial services portfolio, including the risk oversight processes used to manage all the elements of risk managed by the ERMC.

GE Capital's risk management approach rests upon three major tenets: a broad spread of risk based on managed exposure limits; senior, secured commercial financings; and a hold to maturity model with transactions underwritten to “on-book” standards.

Dedicated risk professionals across the businesses include underwriters, portfolio managers, collectors, environmental and engineering specialists, and specialized asset managers who evaluate leased asset residuals and remarket off-lease equipment. The senior risk officers have, on average, over 25 years of experience.
 
 
Additional information about our liquidity and how we manage this risk can be found in the Financial Resources and Liquidity section of this Item and in Notes 10 and 22 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K Report. Additional information about our credit risk and GECS portfolio can be found in the Financial Resources and Liquidity and Critical Accounting Estimates sections of this Item and Notes 1, 3, 6, 22 and 24 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K Report.

Segment Operations
 
Our five segments are focused on the broad markets they serve: Energy Infrastructure, Technology Infrastructure, NBC Universal, Capital Finance and Consumer & Industrial. In addition to providing information on segments in their entirety, we have also provided supplemental information for certain businesses within the segments for greater clarity.

Segment profit is determined based on internal performance measures used by the Chief Executive Officer to assess the performance of each business in a given period. In connection with that assessment, the Chief Executive Officer may exclude matters such as charges for restructuring; rationalization and other similar expenses; in-process research and development and certain other acquisition-related charges and balances; technology and product development costs; certain gains and losses from acquisitions or dispositions; and litigation settlements or other charges, responsibility for which preceded the current management team.
 
 
Segment profit always excludes the effects of principal pension plans, results reported as discontinued operations, earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests of consolidated subsidiaries and accounting changes. Segment profit excludes or includes interest and other financial charges and income taxes according to how a particular segment’s management is measured – excluded in determining segment profit, which we sometimes refer to as “operating profit,” for Energy Infrastructure, Technology Infrastructure, NBC Universal and Consumer & Industrial; included in determining segment profit, which we sometimes refer to as “net earnings,” for Capital Finance.

We have reclassified certain prior-period amounts to conform to the current period’s presentation. For additional information about our segments, see Item 1. "Business" in Part I and Note 27 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K Report.
 

 
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Summary of Operating Segments
 
General Electric Company and consolidated affiliates
(In millions)
 
2009 
 
 
2008 
 
 
2007 
 
 
2006 
 
 
2005 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Energy Infrastructure
$
37,134 
 
$
38,571 
 
$
30,698 
 
$
25,221 
 
$
21,921 
   Technology Infrastructure
 
42,474 
 
 
46,316 
 
 
42,801 
 
 
37,687 
 
 
33,873 
   NBC Universal
 
15,436 
 
 
16,969 
 
 
15,416 
 
 
16,188 
 
 
14,689 
   Capital Finance
 
50,622 
 
 
67,008 
 
 
66,301 
 
 
56,378 
 
 
49,071 
   Consumer & Industrial
 
9,703 
 
 
11,737 
 
 
12,663 
 
 
13,202 
 
 
13,040 
      Total segment revenues
 
155,369 
 
 
180,601 
 
 
167,879 
 
 
148,676 
 
 
132,594 
Corporate items and eliminations
 
1,414 
 
 
1,914 
 
 
4,609 
 
 
2,892 
 
 
3,668 
Consolidated revenues
$
156,783 
 
$
182,515 
 
$
172,488 
 
$
151,568 
 
$
136,262 
Segment profit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Energy Infrastructure
$
6,842 
 
$
6,080 
 
$
4,817 
 
$
3,518 
 
$
3,222 
   Technology Infrastructure
 
7,489 
 
 
8,152 
 
 
7,883 
 
 
7,308 
 
 
6,188 
   NBC Universal
 
2,264 
 
 
3,131 
 
 
3,107 
 
 
2,919 
 
 
3,092 
   Capital Finance
 
2,344 
 
 
8,632 
 
 
12,243 
 
 
10,397 
 
 
8,414 
   Consumer & Industrial
 
400 
 
 
365 
 
 
1,034 
 
 
970 
 
 
732 
      Total segment profit
 
19,339 
 
 
26,360 
 
 
29,084 
 
 
25,112 
 
 
21,648 
Corporate items and eliminations
 
(3,904)
 
 
(2,691)
 
 
(1,840)
 
 
(1,548)
 
 
(372)
GE interest and other financial
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   charges
 
(1,478)
 
 
(2,153)
 
 
(1,993)
 
 
(1,668)
 
 
(1,319)
GE provision for income taxes
 
(2,739)
 
 
(3,427)
 
 
(2,794)
 
 
(2,552)
 
 
(2,678)
Earnings from continuing operations
 
11,218 
 
 
18,089 
 
 
22,457 
 
 
19,344 
 
 
17,279 
Earnings (loss) from discontinued
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   operations, net of taxes
 
(193)
 
 
(679)
 
 
(249)
 
 
1,398 
 
 
(559)
Consolidated net earnings
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   attributable to the Company
$
11,025 
 
$
17,410 
 
$
22,208 
 
$
20,742 
 
$
16,720 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 


Energy Infrastructure
(In millions)
2009 
 
2008 
 
2007 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$
37,134 
 
$
38,571 
 
$
30,698 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment profit
$
6,842 
 
$
6,080 
 
$
4,817 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Energy(a)
$
30,185 
 
$
31,833 
 
$
24,788 
   Oil & Gas
 
7,743 
 
 
7,417 
 
 
6,849 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment profit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Energy(a)
$
5,782 
 
$
5,067 
 
$
4,057 
   Oil & Gas
 
1,222 
 
 
1,127 
 
 
860 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(a)
Effective January 1, 2009, our Water business was combined with Energy. Prior-period amounts were reclassified to conform to the current-period's presentation.
 

Energy Infrastructure segment revenues decreased 4%, or $1.4 billion, in 2009 as higher prices ($1.3 billion) were more than offset by lower volume ($1.6 billion), the stronger U.S. dollar ($0.7 billion) and lower other income ($0.5 billion), primarily related to lower earnings from associated companies and marks on foreign currency contracts. The increase in price was primarily at Energy. The decrease in volume reflected decreased equipment sales at Energy, partially offset by increased equipment sales at Oil & Gas. The effects of the stronger U.S. dollar were at both Energy and Oil & Gas.


 
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Segment profit increased 13% to $6.8 billion, compared with $6.1 billion in 2008, as higher prices ($1.3 billion) and lower material and other costs ($0.5 billion) were partially offset by lower other income ($0.7 billion), primarily related to lower earnings from associated companies and marks on foreign currency contracts, and lower volume ($0.2 billion). Lower material and other costs were primarily at Energy. Lower volume at Energy was partially offset by higher volume at Oil & Gas.

Energy Infrastructure segment revenues rose 26%, or $7.9 billion, in 2008 on higher volume ($6.0 billion), higher prices ($1.4 billion) and the effects of the weaker U.S. dollar ($0.5 billion). The increase in volume reflected increased sales of thermal and wind equipment at Energy, and the effects of acquisitions and increased sales of services at Oil & Gas. The increase in price was primarily at Energy, while the effects of the weaker U.S. dollar were primarily at Energy and Oil & Gas.

Segment profit rose 26% to $6.1 billion in 2008, compared with $4.8 billion in 2007, as higher prices ($1.4 billion), higher volume ($1.0 billion) and the effects of the weaker U.S. dollar ($0.1 billion) more than offset the effects of higher material and other costs ($0.7 billion) and lower productivity ($0.5 billion). Volume and material and other costs increased across all businesses of the segment. The effects of productivity were primarily at Energy.

Energy Infrastructure segment orders were $36.0 billion in 2009, down from $43.2 billion in 2008. The $28.5 billion total backlog at year-end 2009 comprised unfilled product orders of $19.3 billion (of which 84% was scheduled for delivery in 2010) and product services orders of $9.1 billion scheduled for 2010 delivery. Comparable December 31, 2008, total backlog was $32.5 billion, of which $23.0 billion was for unfilled product orders and $9.5 billion, for product services orders. See Corporate Items and Eliminations for a discussion of items not allocated to this segment.

Technology Infrastructure
(In millions)
2009 
 
2008 
 
2007 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$
42,474 
 
$
46,316 
 
$
42,801 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment profit
$
7,489 
 
$
8,152 
 
$
7,883 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Aviation
$
18,728 
 
$
19,239 
 
$
16,819 
   Enterprise Solutions
 
3,957 
 
 
4,710 
 
 
4,462 
   Healthcare
 
16,015 
 
 
17,392 
 
 
16,997 
   Transportation
 
3,827 
 
 
5,016 
 
 
4,523 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment profit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Aviation
$
3,923 
 
$
3,684 
 
$
3,222 
   Enterprise Solutions
 
704 
 
 
691 
 
 
697 
   Healthcare
 
2,420 
 
 
2,851 
 
 
3,056 
   Transportation
 
473 
 
 
962 
 
 
936 


Technology Infrastructure revenues decreased 8%, or $3.8 billion, in 2009 as lower volume ($4.1 billion), the stronger U.S. dollar ($0.4 billion) and an update at Transportation of our estimate of product service costs in maintenance service agreements ($0.3 billion) were partially offset by higher prices ($0.5 billion) and higher other income ($0.5 billion), primarily including gains on the ATI-Singapore acquisition, dissolution of the joint venture with FANUC Ltd. and the Times Microwave Systems disposition. The decrease in volume was across all businesses in the segment. The effects of the stronger U.S. dollar were at Healthcare, Enterprise Solutions and Aviation. Higher prices, primarily at Aviation, were partially offset by lower prices at Healthcare.

Segment profit decreased 8% to $7.5 billion in 2009, compared with $8.2 billion in 2008, as the effects of lower volume ($1.0 billion) and lower productivity ($0.4 billion) were partially offset by higher prices ($0.5 billion) and higher other income ($0.4 billion), primarily including gains on the ATI-Singapore acquisition, dissolution of the joint venture with FANUC Ltd. and the Times Microwave Systems disposition. The decrease in volume was across all businesses in the segment. Lower productivity at Transportation and Enterprise Solutions was partially offset by Aviation.


 
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Technology Infrastructure revenues rose 8%, or $3.5 billion, in 2008 on higher volume ($3.0 billion), the effects of the weaker U.S. dollar ($0.3 billion) and higher prices ($0.2 billion). The increase in volume reflected the effects of acquisitions and increased sales of military and commercial engines and services at Aviation; increased sales in the international diagnostic imaging, clinical systems and life sciences businesses of Healthcare; increased equipment sales at Transportation; and increases at Sensing and Inspection Technologies and Digital Energy at Enterprise Solutions. The effects of the weaker U.S. dollar were primarily at Healthcare and Enterprise Solutions. Higher prices were primarily at Aviation and Transportation, partially offset by lower prices at Healthcare.

Segment profit rose 3% to $8.2 billion in 2008, compared with $7.9 billion in 2007, as the effects of productivity ($0.5 billion), higher volume ($0.4 billion) and higher prices ($0.2 billion) more than offset the effects of higher material and other costs ($0.9 billion). The effects of productivity were primarily at Healthcare and Aviation. Volume increases were primarily at Aviation and Transportation. The increase in material costs was primarily at Aviation and Transportation, partially offset by a decrease at Healthcare. Labor and other costs increased across all businesses of the segment.

Technology Infrastructure orders were $41.6 billion in 2009, down from $47.2 billion in 2008. The $38.6 billion total backlog at year-end 2009 comprised unfilled product orders of $26.7 billion (of which 45% was scheduled for delivery in 2010) and product services orders of $11.9 billion scheduled for 2010 delivery. Comparable December 31, 2008, total backlog was $37.6 billion, of which $28.4 billion was for unfilled product orders and $9.2 billion, for product services orders. See Corporate Items and Eliminations for a discussion of items not allocated to this segment.

NBC Universal revenues decreased 9%, or $1.5 billion, in 2009 as lower revenues in our broadcast television business ($1.1 billion), reflecting the lack of a current-year counterpart to the 2008 Olympics broadcasts and the effects of lower advertising revenues, lower revenues in film ($0.8 billion) and lower earnings and higher impairments related to associated companies and investment securities ($0.4 billion) were partially offset by the gain relating to A&E Television Network (AETN) ($0.6 billion) and higher revenues in cable ($0.3 billion). Segment profit of $2.3 billion decreased 28%, or $0.9 billion, as lower earnings in film ($0.6 billion), lower earnings and higher impairments related to associated companies and investment securities ($0.4 billion), lack of current-year counterpart to 2008 proceeds from insurance claims ($0.4 billion) and lower earnings in our broadcast television business ($0.2 billion) were partially offset by the gain related to AETN ($0.6 billion) and higher earnings in cable ($0.2 billion).

NBC Universal revenues increased $1.6 billion, or 10%, to $17.0 billion in 2008, as revenues from the Olympics broadcasts ($1.0 billion) and higher revenues in cable ($0.6 billion) and film ($0.4 billion) were partially offset by lower earnings and higher impairments related to associated companies and investment securities ($0.3 billion) and lower revenues from our television business ($0.1 billion). Segment profit of $3.1 billion in 2008 was flat compared with 2007, as higher earnings from cable ($0.3 billion) and proceeds from insurance claims ($0.4 billion) were offset by lower earnings and impairments related to associated companies and investment securities ($0.3 billion), losses from the Olympics broadcasts ($0.2 billion), and lower earnings from our television business ($0.1 billion) and film ($0.1 billion). See Corporate Items and Eliminations for a discussion of items not allocated to this segment.

As of December 31, 2009, our NBC Universal business has been classified as held for sale. For additional information, see Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K Report.

Capital Finance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
 
2009 
 
 
2008 
 
 
2007 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$
50,622 
 
$
67,008 
 
$
66,301 
Segment profit
$
2,344 
 
$
8,632 
 
$
12,243 



 
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December 31 (In millions)
 
2009 
 
 
2008 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets
$
537,060 
 
$
572,903 
 
 


(In millions)
 
2009 
 
 
2008 
 
 
2007 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   CLL(a)
$
20,523 
 
$
26,443 
 
$
26,982 
   Consumer(a)
 
19,268 
 
 
25,311 
 
 
25,054 
   Real Estate
 
4,009 
 
 
6,646 
 
 
7,021 
   Energy Financial Services
 
2,117 
 
 
3,707 
 
 
2,405 
   GECAS
 
4,705 
 
 
4,901 
 
 
4,839 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment profit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   CLL(a)
$
987 
 
$
1,785 
 
$
3,787 
   Consumer(a)
 
1,663 
 
 
3,684 
 
 
4,283 
   Real Estate
 
(1,541)
 
 
1,144 
 
 
2,285 
   Energy Financial Services
 
212 
 
 
825 
 
 
677 
   GECAS
 
1,023