GENERAL ELECTRIC CO
10-Q, 2000-05-15
ELECTRONIC & OTHER ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT (NO COMPUTER EQUIP)
Previous: GENERAL CREDIT CORP, NT 10-Q, 2000-05-15
Next: GENERAL ELECTRIC CO, 10-Q, 2000-05-15


Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q


                (Mark One)
 
[x]  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2000

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 1-35

 

GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 
New York 
 14-0689340
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
   
3135 Easton Turnpike, Fairfield, CT
06431-0001
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 
 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) (203) 373-2211

 

  
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

          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    x     No __

          After adjusting to reflect the three-for-one stock split of April 27, 2000, there were 9,893,426,173 shares with a par value of $0.06 per share outstanding at May 7, 2000.


General Electric Company

Part I - Financial Information  
Page
     
    Item 1. Financial Statements    
             Statement of Earnings    3
             Statement of Financial Position   4
             Statement of Cash Flows   5
             Summary of Operating Segments   6
             Notes to Financial Statements   7
    Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition   9
   
Part II - Other Information    
   
    Item 1. Legal Proceedings  
13
    Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K  
14
    Signature  
15

Part I. Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

Condensed Statement of Earnings
General Electric Company and consolidated affiliates

Three months ended March 31 (Unaudited)
(Dollars, except per-share amounts, in millions) Consolidated
GE
GECS
2000 
1999 
2000 
1999 
2000 
1999 
Sales of goods $12,545  $10,011   $10,312  $8,370   $2,233  $1,640  
Sales of services 3,997  3,352  4,058  3,426   –  –  
Earnings of GECS –  –   1,210  1,032   –  –  
GECS revenues from services 13,383  10,699   –  –   13,448  10,743  
Other income 71  103   83  118  –  –  

 
 
 
 
 
     Total revenues 29,996   24,165  15,663  12,946  15,681  12,383  

 
 
 
 
 
Cost of goods sold 9,156  7,237   7,086  5,725   2,070  1,511  
Cost of services sold 2,704  2,330   2,764  2,404   –  –  
Interest and other financial charges 2,782   2,263  253  184   2,570  2,113  
Insurance losses and policyholder
     and annuity benefits 2,930  2,619  –  –   2,930  2,619  
Provision for losses on financing receivables 521   379  –  –  521  379  
Other costs and expenses 7,796  6,039   2,039  1,741  5,794  4,323  
Minority interest in net earnings of 
     consolidated affiliates 98   54  48  16  50  38  

 
 
 
 
 
     Total costs and expenses 25,987   20,921  12,190  10,070   13,935  10,983  

 
 
 
 
 
Earnings before income taxes 4,009  3,244   3,473  2,876  1,746  1,400  
Provision for income taxes (1,417) (1,089)  (881) (721) (536) (368)

 
 
 
 
 
     Net earnings $2,592   $2,155  $2,592  $2,155  $1,210  $1,032  

 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings per share (a)            
     Diluted $0.26   $0.22         
     Basic $0.26  $0.22  ;        
Dividends declared per share (a)$0.13 2/3 $0.11  2/3         
  
(a) Adjusted to reflect the three-for-one stock split effective on April 27, 2000.

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements. Consolidating data are shown for "GE" and "GECS." Transactions between GE and GECS have been eliminated from the "consolidated" columns.


Condensed Statement of Financial Position
General Electric Company and consolidated affiliates

(Dollars in millions) Consolidated
GE
GECS
3/31/00
12/31/99
3/31/00
12/31/99
3/31/00
12/31/99
Cash and equivalents $18,062  $8,554  $2,143  $2,000   $16,297  $6,931  
Investment securities 82,581  81,758  1,451  1,273   81,130  80,485  
Current receivables 8,786  8,531   9,029  8,743  –  –  
Inventories 7,786  7,007   6,538  5,798   1,248  1,209  
Financing receivables – net 140,412  137,629  –  –  140,412  137,629  
Other GECS receivables 28,362  29,708  –  –   29,434  30,681  
Property, plant and equipment              
     (including equipment leased41,080  41,022   12,306  12,381   28,774  28,641  
     to others) – net 
Investment in GECS –  –  20,911  20,321   –  –  
Intangible assets – net 27,159  26,010   11,724  11,262   15,435  14,748  
All other assets 67,409  64,981   21,191  20,805  46,740  44,694  

 
 
 
 
 
Total assets $421,637  $405,200   $85,293  $82,583   $359,470  $345,018   ;

 
 
 
 
 
Short–term borrowings $122,544  $ 130,346  $1,268  $ 2,245  $122,216  $ 129,259  
Accounts payable, principally 
     trade accounts 12,790  13,676  5,562  5,068  9,063  9,749  
Other GE current liabilities 18,245  17,194   17,920  17,013   –  –  
Long–term borrowings 73,413  71,427  605  722  72,784  70,766  
Insurance liabilities, reserves and 
     annuity benefits 108,552  86,776   –  –  108,552  86,776  
All other liabilities 27,458  28,772  14,101  13,872   13,146  14,801  
Deferred income taxes 9,252  9,238   458  283   8,794  8,955  

 
 
 
 
 
Total liabilities 372,254  357,429   39,914  39,203  334,555  320,306  

 
 
 
 
 
Minority interest in equity of              
     consolidated affiliates 4,885  5,214   881  823   4,004  4,391  

 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated unrealized gains on 
     investment securities – net (a)641  626   641  626   101  170  
Accumulated currency translation 
     adjustments (a)(1,690) (1,370)  (1,690) (1,370)  (494) (384)
Common stock (9,882,432,000 and 
     9,854,528,000 shares outstanding              
     at March 31, 2000 and 
     December 31, 1999, respectively) (b)594  594  594  594   1  
Other capital 12,170  10,790   ;12,170  10,790  2,682  2,682  
Retained earnings 55,724  54,484   55,724  54,484  18,621  17,852  
Less common stock held in treasury (22,941) (22,567) (22,941) (22,567) –  –  

 
 
 
 
 
Total share owners' equity 44,498  42,557  44,498  42,557   20,911  20,321  

 
 
 
 
 
Total liabilities and equity $421,637  $ 405,200  $85,293  $ 82,583  $359,470  $ 345,018  

 
 
 
 
 
   
(a)  The sum of accumulated unrealized gains on investment securities-net and accumulated currency translation adjustments constitutes "Accumulated nonowner changes other than earnings," and was $(1,049) million and $(744) million at March 31, 2000 and December 31, 1999, respectively.
  
(b) Adjusted to reflect the three-for-one stock split effective on April 27, 2000.
  
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements. Consolidating data are shown for "GE" and "GECS." March data are unaudited. Transactions between GE and GECS have been eliminated from the "consolidated" columns.

Condensed Statement of Cash Flows
General Electric Company and consolidated affiliates

Three months ended March 31 (Unaudited)
(Dollars in millions) Consolidated
GE
GECS
2000 
1999 
2000 
1999 
2000 
1999 
Cash flows – operating activities             
Net earnings $2,592  $2,155   $2,592  $2,155   $1,210  $1,032  
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash              
     provided from operating activities              
     Depreciation and amortization of property,
           plant and equipment 1,411   1,125  447  440   964  685  
     Amortization of goodwill and other intangibles 564   388  132  124   432  264  
     Earnings retained by GECS –  –   (769) (646)  –  –  
     Deferred income taxes 297  188  194  117  103  71  
     Decrease (increase) in GE current receivables (143)  480  (174) 564   –  –  
     Decrease (increase) in inventories (607) (219)  (568) (350)  (39) 131  
     Increase (decrease) in accounts payable (312) (666)  449  (97)  45  (801)
     Increase (decrease) in insurance liabilities, 
          reserves and annuity benefits (151) 1,115  –  –  (151) 1,115  
     Provision for losses on financing receivables 521   379  –  –  521  379  
     All other operating activities (2,494) (675)  287  (238)  (2,944) (321)

 
 
 
 
 
Cash from operating activities 1,678  4,270   2,590  2,069   141  2,555  

 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows – investing activities              
Additions to property, plant and equipment              
     (including equipment leased to others)(2,774) (1,656)  (353) (288)  (2,421) (1,368)
Net increase in GECS financing receivables (59) (251)  –  –   (59) (251)
Payments for principal businesses purchased (187) (4,302)  (184) (177) (3)  (4,125)
All other investing activities 2,477  (76) (6) 207   2,175  32  

 
 
 
 
 
Cash used for investing activities (543) (6,285) (543) (258)  (308) (5,712)

 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows – financing activities              
Net change in borrowings (maturities 
     90 days or less)(8,056) 3,537   (990) (50)  (7,284) 3,489  
Newly issued debt (maturities longer 
     than 90 days)8,723  7,830   95  8,633  7,725  
Repayments and other reductions (maturities              
     longer than 90 days)(4,421) (7,696)  (195) (204)  (4,226) (7,492)
Net dispositions (purchases) of GE shares 623  (490)  623  (490)  –  –  
Dividends paid to share owners (1,347) (1,146) (1,347) (1,146)  (441) (386)
Cash received upon assumption of 
     Toho Mutual Life Insurance Company              
     insurance liabilities 13,177  –   –  –   13,177  –  
All other financing activities (326) 259  –  –   (326) 259  

 
 
 
 
 
Cash from (used for) financing activities 8,373  2,294  (1,904) (1,795)  9,533  3,595  

 
 
 
 
 
Increase in cash and equivalents 9,508  279   143  16  9,366  438  
Cash and equivalents at beginning of year 8,554  4,317  2,000  1,175  6,931  3,342  

 
 
 
 
 
Cash and equivalents at March 31 $18,062  $4,596  $2,143  $1,191  $16,297  $3,780  

 
 
 
 
 
  
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements. Consolidating data are shown for "GE" and "GECS." Transactions between GE and GECS have been eliminated from the "consolidated" columns.


Summary of Operating Segments
General Electric Company and consolidated affiliates

 
Three months ended March 31
(Unaudited)

(Dollars in millions)   2000    1999 
Revenues              
    GE               
          Aircraft Engines          $2,441    $2,418 
          Appliances          1,381    1,201 
          Industrial Products and Systems          2,785    2,539 
          NBC          1,393    1,180 
          Plastics          1,861    1,615 
          Power Systems          3,210    1,709 
          Technical Products and Services          1,753    1,495 
          Eliminations          (492)   (351)


               Total GE segment revenues          14,332    11,806 
    Corporate items          121    108 
    GECS net earnings          1,210    1,032 


               Total GE revenues          15,663    12,946 
    GECS segment revenues          15,681    12,383 
    Eliminations -a)         (1,348)   (1,164)


Consolidated revenues         $29,996    $24,165 


Segment profit              
    GE               
          Aircraft Engines          $558    $482 
          Appliances          150    161 
          Industrial Products and Systems          514    393 
          NBC          394    334 
          Plastics          437    397 
          Power Systems          453    191 
          Technical Products and Services          340    268 


               Total GE operating profit          2,846    2,226 
    GECS net earnings          1,210    1,032 


          Total segment profit          4,056    3,258 
    GE interest and other financial charges          (253)   (184)
    GE provision for income taxes          (881)   (721)
    Corporate items and eliminations          (330)   (198)


Consolidated net earnings         $2,592    $2,155 


(a- Principally the elimination of GECS net earnings.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

         1. The accompanying condensed quarterly financial statements represent the consolidation of General Electric Company and all companies which it directly or indirectly controls, either through majority ownership or otherwise. Reference is made to note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999. That note discusses consolidation and financial statement presentation. As used in this Report and in the Report on Form 10-K, "GE" represents the adding together of all affiliated companies except General Electric Capital Services, Inc. ("GECS"), which is presented on a one-line basis; GECS consists of General Electric Capital Services, Inc. and all of its affiliates; and "consolidated" represents the adding together of GE and GECS with the effects of transactions between the two eliminated.

         2. The condensed consolidated quarterly financial statements are unaudited. These statements include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary by management to present a fair statement of the results of operations, financial position and cash flows. The results reported in these condensed consolidated financial statements should not be regarded as necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the entire year.

         3. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) has issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Statement 133), effective for GE and GECS on January 1, 2001. Upon adoption, all derivative instruments (including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts) will be recognized in balance sheets at fair value, and changes in such fair values must be recognized in earnings unless specific hedging criteria are met. Changes in the values of derivatives meeting these hedging criteria will ultimately offset related earnings effects of the hedged items; effects of qualifying changes in fair value are recorded in equity pending recognition in earnings. Certain significant refinements and interpretations of Statement 133 are being deliberated by the FASB, and the effects on accounting for GE and GECS financial instruments will depend to some degree on the results of such deliberations. Management has not determined the total probable effects on its financial statements of adopting Statement 133 and does not believe that an estimate of such effects would be meaningful at this time.

         4. A summary of changes in share owners' equity that do not result directly from transactions with share owners is provided below. 

 

 
Three months ended
(Dollars in millions)
3/31/00
 
3/31/99


Net earnings  $2,592  $2,155 
Unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities – net 15  (384)
Foreign currency translation adjustments – net (320) (388)


Total $2,287  $1,383 


 

         5. Inventories consisted of the following: 

 

 
At
(Dollars in millions)
3/31/00 
 
12/31/99 


GE
Raw materials and work in process $3,742  $3,438 
Finished goods 3,525  3,054 
Unbilled shipments 189  233 
Revaluation to LIFO (918) (927)


6,538  5,798 


GECS
Finished goods 1,248  1,209 


Total $7,786  $7,007 


 

         6. Property, plant and equipment (including equipment leased to others) - net, consisted of the following: 

 

 
At
(Dollars in millions)
3/31/00
 
12/31/99


Original cost
– GE $30,572 $30,199
– GECS 38,679 38,160


Total 69,251 68,359


Accumulated depreciation and amortization
– GE 18,266 17,818
– GECS 9,905 9,519


Total 28,171 27,337


Property, plant and equipment - net
– GE 12,306 12,381
– GECS  28,774 28,641


Total $41,080 $41,022


 

         7. On April 26, 2000, the share owners of General Electric Company authorized the amendment of its Restated Certificate of Incorporation to change and increase GE's authorized common stock from 4,400,000,000 shares, par value of $0.16 per share, to 13,200,000,000 shares, par value of $0.06 per share, and in doing so to split the common stock (including outstanding shares) on a three-for-one basis. Such split became effective April 27, 2000, and is reflected in all references to the number of common shares and per-share amounts in this report. Information related to the calculation of earnings per share follows. 

 

 
Three months ended
(Dollar amounts and shares in millions;
per-share amounts in dollars)
3/31/00
3/31/99
Diluted
Basic
 
Diluted
Basic




Consolidated operations
Net earnings available to common share owners $2,592 $2,592 $2,155 $2,155
Dividend equivalents - net of tax 2 - 2 -




Net earnings available for per-share calculation $2,594 $2,592 $2,157 $2,155




Average equivalent shares
Shares of GE common stock  9,870 9,870 9,817 9,817
Employee compensation-related shares,
      including stock options 161 - 165 -




Total average equivalent shares 10,031 9,870 9,982 9,817




Net earnings per share $0.26 $0.26 $0.22 $0.22




 

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition

A. Results of Operations - First quarter of 2000 compared with first quarter of 1999

         General Electric Company's earnings increased 20% to $2.592 billion and earnings per share increased 18% to $.26, up from last year's $.22. Both earnings per share and earnings were records for the quarter.

         Revenues for the first quarter of 2000 rose to a record $30.0 billion, 24% higher than last year's quarter. Revenue growth at GE's industrial businesses reached 21%. Volume increased by 25%, reflecting growth across most businesses. The effects of selling prices varied widely across businesses and overall were down slightly.

         Operating profit increased at double-digit rates in six of seven operating segments – led by Power Systems, Technical Products and Services, and NBC.

         GE's first-quarter operating margin increased to 17.3% of sales, up from last year's 16.3%, and was a record for the quarter. The first-quarter increase demonstrates the increasing benefits from GE's focus on product services, Six Sigma quality and e-Business initiatives.

         GE Capital Services' first-quarter earnings rose to $1.210 billion, 17% higher than last year's $1.032 billion. These record results reflect the globalization and diversity of GE Capital's businesses.

         Cash generated from GE's operating activities was $2.6 billion in the first quarter, up 25% over last year's first quarter. As part of the $22 billion share repurchase program, GE purchased $548 million of its stock during the first quarter to reach $16.0 billion - 925 million shares - purchased since December 1994.

Segment Analysis

         The comments that follow compare revenues and operating profit by operating segment for the first quarters of 2000 and 1999.

B. Financial Condition

         With respect to the Condensed Statement of Financial Position, consolidated assets were $421.6 billion at March 31, 2000, compared with $405.2 billion at December 31, 1999.

         GE assets were $85.3 billion at March 31, 2000, an increase of $2.7 billion from December 31, 1999. The increase was primarily attributable to increases in inventories, investment in GECS and intangible assets. Inventories were $0.7 billion higher than at year-end 1999, primarily reflecting normal seasonal increases. Investment in GECS increased $0.6 billion, primarily as a result of GECS earnings in excess of dividends paid. Intangible assets increased $0.5 billion, reflecting goodwill associated with recent acquisitions, the largest of which was OEC Medical Systems.

         GECS assets increased by $14.5 billion from the end of 1999, largely as a result of the acquisition of certain assets and liabilities of Toho Mutual Life Insurance of Japan (Toho), an entity that was insolvent when acquired. That acquisition included approximately $13 billion in cash, as well as financing receivables and other assets, in exchange for assumption of Toho's existing insurance policyholder liabilities. The significant cash position of Toho at the date of acquisition was appropriate given expected liquidity needs of the business, particularly policyholder redemptions expected to occur over the succeeding six months.

         GECS cash increased $9.4 billion, largely as a result of cash acquired with Toho. GE Capital's financing receivables, which, net of the allowance for losses, aggregated $140.4 billion at the end of the first quarter, increased $2.8 billion from year-end 1999, principally the result of the addition of financing receivables of Toho. Management believes that GE Capital's allowance for losses of $4.0 billion at March 31, 2000, is the best estimate of probable losses inherent in the portfolio given its strength and diversity and current economic circumstances. Other assets increased $2.0 billion, primarily reflecting growth in "separate accounts," which are investments controlled by policyholders, as well as acquired real estate ventures of Toho.

         Consolidated liabilities of $372.3 billion at March 31, 2000, were $14.8 billion higher than the year-end 1999 balance of $357.4 billion. GE liabilities increased by $0.7 billion; GECS liabilities increased by $14.2 billion.

         GE borrowings were $1.9 billion ($1.3 billion short-term and $0.6 billion long-term) at March 31, 2000, a decrease of $1.1 billion from December 31, 1999. GE's ratio of debt to total capital at the end of March 2000 was 4.0% compared with 6.4% at the end of last year and 9.3% at March 31, 1999. Other changes in GE's liabilities comprised numerous, relatively small items.

         GECS liabilities increased by $14.2 billion, principally as a result of acquisition-related increases in insurance liabilities. Insurance liabilities increased $21.8 billion from year-end 1999, reflecting primarily the assumption of policyholder liabilities of Toho, as well as increases in separate accounts and additions to reserves related to core growth. Short-term borrowings decreased $7.0 billion from year-end 1999, while long-term borrowings increased by $2.0 billion.

         With respect to cash flows, consolidated cash and equivalents amounted to $18.1 billion at March 31, 2000, an increase of about $9.5 billion during the quarter. Cash and equivalents were $4.6 billion at March 31, 1999, an increase of about $0.3 billion during last year's first quarter.

         GE cash and equivalents were $2.1 billion at March 31, 2000, about the same as at year-end 1999. During the first quarter of 2000, operating cash flows increased to $2.6 billion, an increase of 25% over the first quarter of 1999, primarily as a result of improvements in earnings and higher progress collections. Cash used for investing activities ($0.5 billion) principally represented acquisitions and investments in new plant and equipment for a wide variety of capital expenditure projects to reduce costs and improve efficiencies. Cash used for financing activities ($1.9 billion) included $1.3 billion for dividends paid to share owners -- a 17% increase in the per-share dividend rate compared with first quarter of last year -- and $0.5 billion for repurchases of the Company's common stock under the share repurchase program. Funds used for dividends and the share repurchases were generated from operating cash flow.

         GE cash and equivalents amounted to $1.2 billion at March 31, 1999, about the same as at year-end 1998. During the first quarter of 1999, operating cash flows increased to $2.1 billion, an increase of 37% over the first quarter of 1998, primarily as a result of improvements in earnings and higher progress collections. Cash used for investing activities ($0.3 billion) principally represented acquisitions and investments in new plant and equipment for a wide variety of capital expenditure projects to reduce costs and improve efficiencies. Cash used for financing activities ($1.8 billion) included $1.1 billion for dividends paid to share owners -- a 17% increase in the per-share dividend rate compared with first quarter of 1998 -- and $0.4 billion for repurchases of the Company's common stock under the share repurchase program. Funds used for dividends and the share repurchases were generated from operating cash flow.

         GECS cash and equivalents increased by $9.4 billion during the first quarter of 2000 to $16.3 billion, principally as a result of cash acquired in connection with the Toho acquisition. Cash provided from operating activities amounted to $0.1 billion during the first three months of 2000. The decrease in cash from operating activities compared with last year was largely attributable to insurance policyholder redemptions associated with the Toho acquisition. Cash from financing activities totaled $9.5 billion, primarily as a result of insurance policyholder liabilities assumed in the Toho acquisition, the effect of which was partially offset by net reductions in debt. The principal use of GECS cash during the period was for investing activities ($0.3 billion), a majority of which was attributable to investments in property plant and equipment.

         GECS cash and equivalents increased $0.4 billion during the first quarter of 1999, when $2.6 billion of cash was provided from operating activities. The principal use of GECS cash during the period was for investing activities ($5.7 billion), a majority of which was attributable to payments for principal businesses acquired ($4.1 billion), the largest of which were Japan Leasing and Eagle Star, and additions to equipment that is provided to third parties on operating leases ($1.4 billion).

Part II. Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

         As previously reported, on March 12, 1993, a complaint was filed in United States District Court for the District of Connecticut by ten employees of the Company's former Aerospace business, purportedly on behalf of all GE Aerospace employees whose GE employment status is or was affected by the then planned transfer of GE Aerospace to a new company controlled by the stockholders of Martin Marietta Corporation. The complaint sought to clarify and enforce the plaintiffs' claimed rights to pension benefits in accordance with, and rights to assets then held in, the GE Pension Plan (the "Plan"). The complaint named the Company, the trustees of the GE Pension Trust ("Trust"), and Martin Marietta Corporation and one of its former plan administrators as defendants. The complaint alleged primarily that the Company's planned transfer of certain assets of the Trust to a Martin Marietta pension trust, in connection with the transfer of the Aerospace business, violated the rights of the plaintiffs under the Plan and applicable provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code. The complaint sought equitable and declaratory relief, including an injunction against transfer of the Plan assets except under circumstances and protections, if any, approved by the court, an order that the Company disgorge all profits allegedly received by it as a result of any such transfer and the making of restitution to the Trust for alleged investment losses resulting from the Company's treatment of Plan assets in connection with the transaction or alternatively the transfer of additional assets from the Trust to a new Martin Marietta pension trust, and an order requiring Martin Marietta to continue to offer transferred employees all accrued pension-related benefits for which they were eligible under the Plan as of the closing date of the transfer of the GE Aerospace business to Martin Marietta. On March 23, 1993, the Company and Martin Marietta Corporation filed motions to dismiss the complaint on the basis that the complaint does not state any claim upon which relief can be granted as a matter of law. On April 2, 1993, the transfer of the Aerospace business occurred, and on June 7, 1993, the court issued an order denying plaintiffs' request for injunctive relief. On September 26, 1996, the District Court granted defendants' motion to dismiss those claims which were based on allegations that the transfer of plan assets was unlawful, and ordered discovery on the remaining claims. On September 28, 1998, the class was certified as to the remaining claims. On March 29, 2000, the District Court dismissed the complaint. Plaintiffs have filed an appeal from the District Court's order.
 
Environmental

         In March 2000, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation informed the Company that it was seeking penalties of $204,000 for violations of the state's hazardous waste rules at its Waterford, NY facility. The state alleges violations of requirements for labeling, inspection and management of hazardous waste. The matter is currently under negotiation.

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
 
a. Exhibits
 
  Exhibit 11. Computation of Per Share Earnings*
Exhibit 12. Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
Exhibit 27. Financial Data Schedule
*
Data required by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, Earnings per Share, is provided in note 7 to the condensed consolidated financial statements in this report.
b. Reports on Form 8-K during the quarter ended March 31, 2000.
 
  No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the quarter ended March 31, 2000.


Signatures

          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
General Electric Company
            (Registrant)

 

May 15, 2000
 /s/ Philip D. Ameen 
Date Philip D. Ameen
Vice President and Comptroller
Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Accounting Officer


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission