United States Securities and Exchange Commission
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
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þ Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013
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or
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¨ Transition Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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For the transition period from ___________to ___________
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Commission file number 001-00035
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General Electric Company
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
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New York
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14-0689340
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(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
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3135 Easton Turnpike, Fairfield, CT
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06828-0001
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203/373-2211
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(Address of principal executive offices)
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(Zip Code)
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(Telephone No.)
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Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Title of each class
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Name of each exchange on which registered
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Common stock, par value $0.06 per share
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New York Stock Exchange
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Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
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(Title of class)
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Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes þ No ¨
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 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 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 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. ¨
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
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Accelerated filer ¨
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Non-accelerated filer ¨
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Smaller reporting company ¨
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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 not held by affiliates as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter was at least $233.8 billion. There were 10,033,130,000 shares of voting common stock with a par value of $0.06 outstanding at February 1, 2014.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The definitive proxy statement relating to the registrant’s Annual Meeting of Shareowners, to be held April 23, 2014, is incorporated by reference into Part III to the extent described therein.
Table of Contents
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Page
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Part I
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Item 1.
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Business
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3
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Item 1A.
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Risk Factors
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15
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Item 1B.
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Unresolved Staff Comments
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21
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Item 2.
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Properties
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21
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Item 3.
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Legal Proceedings
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21
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Item 4.
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Mine Safety Disclosures
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23
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Part II
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Item 5.
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Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer
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Purchases of Equity Securities
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23
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Item 6.
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Selected Financial Data
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26
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Item 7.
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Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
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27
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Item 7A.
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Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
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90
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Item 8.
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Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
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90
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Item 9.
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Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting
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and Financial Disclosure
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192
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Item 9A.
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Controls and Procedures
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192
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Item 9B.
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Other Information
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193
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Part III
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Item 10.
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Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
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193
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Item 11.
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Executive Compensation
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193
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Item 12.
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Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and
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Related Stockholder Matters
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193
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Item 13.
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Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
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194
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Item 14.
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Principal Accounting Fees and Services
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194
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Part IV
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Item 15.
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Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
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194
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Signatures
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199
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Part I
Item 1. Business
General
Unless otherwise indicated by the context, we use the terms “GE” and “GECC” 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 infrastructure and financial services corporations in the world. With products and services ranging from aircraft engines, power generation, oil and gas production equipment, and household appliances to medical imaging, business and consumer financing and industrial products, we serve customers in more than 100 countries and employ approximately 307,000 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 businesses in which General Electric Capital Corporation (GECC) 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.
On November 15, 2013, we announced that we intend to pursue an initial public offering (IPO) of our North American Retail Finance business (Retail Finance) as a first step in a staged exit from that business. We plan to file a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the first quarter of 2014 and complete the IPO later in 2014.
We plan to issue up to 20% of the equity of Retail Finance in the IPO, in exchange for cash that will be used to increase the capital of the new company. We currently intend to complete our exit from Retail Finance in 2015 through a split-off transaction, by making a tax-free distribution of our remaining interest in Retail Finance to electing GE stockholders in exchange for shares of GE’s common stock. We may also decide to exit by selling or otherwise distributing or disposing of all or a portion of our remaining interest in the Retail Finance shares.
Prior to January 28, 2011, we also operated a media company, NBC Universal, Inc. (NBCU). Effective January 28, 2011, we held a 49% interest in a media entity that included the NBC Universal businesses. On March 19, 2013, we completed the sale of our remaining 49% common equity interest to Comcast Corporation.
Forward-Looking Statements
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: current economic and financial conditions, including volatility in interest and exchange rates, commodity and equity prices and the value of financial assets; potential market disruptions or other impacts arising in the United States or Europe from developments in sovereign debt situations; the impact of conditions in the financial and credit markets on the availability and cost of General Electric Capital Corporation’s (GECC) funding and on our ability to reduce GECC’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; pending and future mortgage securitization claims and litigation in connection with WMC, which may affect our estimates of liability, including possible loss estimates; 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 adequacy of our cash flows and earnings and other conditions which may affect our ability to pay our quarterly dividend at the planned level or to repurchase shares at planned levels; GECC’s ability to pay dividends to GE at the planned level; our ability to convert pre-order commitments/wins into orders; the price we realize on orders since commitments/wins are stated at list prices; the level of demand and financial performance of the major industries we serve, including, without limitation, air and rail transportation, energy generation, real estate and healthcare; the impact of regulation and regulatory, investigative and legal proceedings and legal compliance risks, including the impact of financial services regulation; our capital allocation plans, as such plans may change including with respect to the timing and size of share repurchases, acquisitions, joint ventures, dispositions and other strategic actions; our success in completing announced transactions and integrating acquired businesses; our ability to complete the staged exit from our North American Retail Finance business as planned; the impact of potential information technology or data security breaches; 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.
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 Power & Water, Oil & Gas, Energy Management, Aviation, Healthcare, Transportation, Appliances & Lighting and GE Capital. Net earnings of GECC 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. We also continue our longstanding practice of providing supplemental information about the businesses within GE Capital.
Power & Water
Power & Water (16.9%, 19.3% and 17.5% of consolidated revenues in 2013, 2012 and 2011, 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 to produce electric power.
Our operations are located in North America, Europe, Asia, South America, Africa and the Middle East.
Power & Water serves power generation, industrial, government and other customers worldwide with products and services related to energy production. 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) systems. By converting coal and other hydrocarbons into synthetic gas that is used as the primary fuel for gas turbines in combined-cycle systems, fewer air pollutants are produced 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. We offer wind turbines as part of our renewable energy portfolio. We also sell aircraft engine derivatives for use as industrial power sources. Nuclear reactors, fuel and support services for both new and installed boiling water reactors are offered through joint ventures with Hitachi and Toshiba. We provide our customers with solutions to meet their needs through a broad portfolio of aftermarket services, including equipment upgrades, long-term maintenance service agreements, repairs, equipment installation, remote monitoring, performance testing and diagnostics, asset management and performance optimization tools 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.
Power & Water also 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.
On February 1, 2011, we completed the acquisition of Dresser, Inc., which broadened the product portfolio with technologies for gas engines.
Power & Water is party to revenue sharing programs that share the financial results of certain aeroderivative lines. These businesses are controlled by Power & Water, but counterparties have an agreed share of revenues as well as development and component production responsibilities. At December 31, 2013, such counterparty interests ranged from 10% to 33% 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.
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.
Oil & Gas
Oil & Gas (11.6%, 10.4% and 9.3% of consolidated revenues in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively) helps oil and gas companies make more efficient and sustainable use of the world's energy resources.
Our operations are located in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, South America and Africa.
Oil & Gas supplies mission critical equipment for the global oil and gas industry, used in applications spanning the entire value chain from drilling through production, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and pipeline compression, pipeline inspection, and 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 appropriately, 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. We also provide pipeline integrity solutions, sensor-based measurement, inspection, asset condition monitoring, controls, and radiation measurement solutions. Oil & Gas also 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.
On July 1, 2013, we completed the acquisition of Lufkin Industries, Inc., a leading provider of artificial lift technologies for the oil and gas industry and a manufacturer of industrial gears, for $3.3 billion.
On February 4, 2011 and April 26, 2011, we completed the acquisitions of Wellstream PLC and the Well Support division of John Wood Group PLC, respectively. Wellstream PLC expands the Oil & Gas portfolio with flexible subsea risers and flow lines. The Well Support division of John Wood Group PLC adds equipment, including electrical submersible pumps, that helps extract more oil and gas from mature fields. On February 1, 2011, we completed the acquisition of Dresser, Inc., which broadens the Oil & Gas product portfolio in control and relief valves, measurement, regulation and control solutions for gas and fuel distributions.
Demand for oil and gas equipment and services 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.
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.
Energy Management
Energy Management (5.2%, 5.1% and 4.4% of consolidated revenues in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively) designs, manufactures and services leading technology solutions for the delivery, management, conversion and optimization of electrical power for customers across multiple energy-intensive industries.
Our operations are located in North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.
Energy Management provides integrated electrical products and systems used to distribute, protect and control energy and equipment. We manufacture 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 a full portfolio of field services including engineering, inspection, mechanical and emergency services. Energy Management also provides advanced products and services that modernize the grid, from the power plant to the power consumer, such as protection and control, industrial strength communications, smart meters, monitoring & diagnostics, visualization software and advanced analytics. We manufacture advanced motor, drives and control technologies to improve the operational efficiency of energy intensive industries such as metals, mining, marine, oil and gas. Energy Management also provides plant automation, hardware, software and embedded computing systems including advanced software, controllers, single board computers, motion control and operator interfaces.
In August, 2013, GE and XD Electric Group announced the formation of a new global partnership combining GE’s grid automation capabilities and global energy presence with XD Electric’s comprehensive portfolio of high-voltage (HV) power equipment. The partnership also expands GE’s industry capabilities as a leading provider of transmission and distribution (T&D) solutions.
On March 2, 2011 and September 2, 2011, we completed the acquisitions of Lineage Power Holdings, Inc. (Lineage Power) and Converteam, respectively. The acquisition of Lineage Power, a provider of high-efficiency power conversion infrastructure technology and services for the telecommunications and datacenter industries, continues the expansion of Energy Management’s offerings from the electric grid to datacenters, cell towers, routers, servers and circuit board electronics. Converteam, a provider of electrification and automation equipment and systems, adds significant product and service capabilities in power electronics, industrial automation and process controls.
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.
Aviation
Aviation (15.0%, 13.6% and 12.9% of consolidated revenues in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively) is one of the world’s leading providers of jet engines and related services with operations in North America, Europe, Asia and South America.
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 a joint venture with Honda Aero, Inc., a division of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
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.
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.
Aviation is party to agreements in which the financial results, and in most cases production responsibilities, of certain products are shared. These agreements take the form of both joint ventures and revenue sharing programs.
The scope of the joint ventures can range from development through the marketing, sales, production, assembly and aftermarket support of particular products.
Revenue sharing programs are a standard form of cooperation for specific product programs in the aviation industry. These programs are controlled by Aviation, but counterparties have an agreed share of revenues as well as development and component production responsibilities. At December 31, 2013, such counterparty interests ranged from 1% to 39% of various programs; associated distributions to such counterparties are accounted for as costs of production.
On August 1, 2013, we completed the acquisition of the aviation business of Avio S.p.A., a manufacturer of aviation propulsion components and systems for $4.4 billion.
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 relatively 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.
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.
Healthcare
Healthcare (12.5%, 12.5% and 12.3% of consolidated revenues in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively) is one of the world’s leading providers of essential healthcare technologies to developed, developing and emerging countries. Our operations are located in North America, Europe, Asia, South America and Australia.
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 physicians 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 emergency room, view the heart and its function, and identify early stages of cancers or brain disorders. With diagnostic imaging systems such as Magnetic Resonance (MR), Computed Tomography (CT) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanners, X-ray, nuclear imaging, digital mammography, and Molecular Imaging technologies, Healthcare creates products that allow clinicians to see inside the human body more clearly than ever. In addition, Healthcare-manufactured technologies include patient and resident 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 purification, and tools for protein and cellular analysis for pharmaceutical and academic research, including existing and a pipeline of precision molecular diagnostics in development for neurology, cardiology and oncology applications.
Our product services include remote diagnostic and repair services for medical equipment manufactured by GE and by others, as well as computerized data management, information technologies and customer productivity services.
We compete with a variety of U.S. and non-U.S. manufacturers and services providers. 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. Products and services are sold worldwide primarily to hospitals, medical facilities, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, and to the life science research market.
Throughout the world, we deliver healthymagination solutions that provide greater efficiency to help control costs, better quality to improve patient outcomes, and extended access to healthcare for patients in underserved markets.
Our products are subject to regulation by numerous government agencies, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA), as well as various laws that apply to claims submitted under Medicare, Medicaid or other government funded healthcare programs.
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.
Transportation
Transportation (4.0%, 3.8% and 3.3% of consolidated revenues in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively) is a global technology leader and supplier to the railroad, marine, drilling and mining industries. We serve customers in more than 100 countries in North America, Europe, Asia, South America, Africa and Australia.
Transportation manufactures high-horsepower, diesel-electric locomotives, including the Evolution Series™, which meets or exceeds the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Tier III requirements. We also offer leading drive technology solutions to the mining, transit, marine and stationary, and drilling industries. Also, on November 30, 2012, we completed the acquisition of Industrea Limited, a provider of mining products and services with a focus in underground mining.
Transportation 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.
Appliances & Lighting
Appliances & Lighting (formerly Home & Business Solutions) (5.7%, 5.4% and 5.2% of consolidated revenues in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively) sells products that share several characteristics − competitive design, efficient manufacturing and effective distribution and service. Appliance & Lighting products such as major appliances and a subset of lighting products are primarily directed to consumer applications, while other lighting products are directed towards commercial and industrial applications. 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.
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, residential water systems for filtration, softening and heating, and hybrid water heaters. Our brands include GE Monogram®, GE Café™, GE Profile™, GE®, GE Artistry™, and Hotpoint®. 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.
We have global operations located in North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America.
GE Capital
GE Capital (30.2%, 30.9% and 33.0% of consolidated revenues in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively) businesses offer a broad range of financial services and products worldwide for businesses of all sizes. Services include commercial loans and leases, fleet management, financial programs, credit cards, personal loans and other financial services. GE Capital also develops strategic partnerships and joint ventures that utilize GE’s industry-specific expertise in aviation, energy, infrastructure and healthcare to capitalize on market-specific opportunities.
During 2013, GE Capital provided approximately $115 billion of new financings in the U.S. to various companies, infrastructure projects and municipalities. Additionally, we extended approximately $105 billion of credit to approximately 61 million U.S. consumers. GE Capital provided credit to approximately 31,200 new commercial customers and 43,000 new small businesses in the U.S. during 2013 and ended the period with outstanding credit to more than 237,000 commercial customers and 212,000 small businesses through retail programs in the U.S.
GECC is a regulated savings and loan holding company under U.S. law and became subject to Federal Reserve Board (FRB) supervision on July 21, 2011, the one-year anniversary of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (DFA). In addition, on July 8, 2013, the U.S. Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) designated GECC as a nonbank systemically important financial institution (nonbank SIFI) under the DFA. Many of the rulemakings for supervision of nonbank SIFIs are not final and therefore the exact impact and implementation date remain uncertain. GECC continues to plan for the enhanced prudential standards that will apply to nonbank SIFIs. These DFA rulemakings will require, among other items, enhanced capital and liquidity levels, compliance with the comprehensive capital analysis and review regulations (CCAR), compliance with counterparty credit exposure limits, and the development of a resolution plan for submission to regulators.
We have communicated our goal of reducing GE Capital’s ending net investment (ENI), most recently targeting ENI of $300 billion to $350 billion. ENI is a metric used by us to measure the total capital we have invested in our financial services business. GE Capital’s ENI (excluding cash and equivalents) was $380 billion at December 31, 2013. To achieve this goal, we are more aggressively focusing our businesses on selective financial services products where we have deep domain experience, 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 that are deemed to be non-strategic or that are underperforming. We have completed a number of dispositions in our businesses in the past and will continue to evaluate options going forward.
While we are exiting non-core businesses, we are investing in our core businesses in markets where we believe that GECC has deep domain experience and is competitively advantaged. Accordingly, in the short-term, as we reduce our ENI through exiting non-core businesses, the overall level of our future net earnings may be reduced. However, over the long-term, we believe that this strategy will improve our long-term performance through higher returns as we will have a larger concentration of assets in our core businesses, as opposed to the underperforming or non-strategic assets we will be exiting; reduce liquidity risk as we pay down outstanding debt and diversify our sources of funding (with less reliance on the global commercial paper markets and an increase in alternative sources of funding such as deposits); and reduce capital requirements while strengthening capital ratios. Additional information about our liquidity and how we manage this risk can be found in the Financial Resources and Liquidity section in Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of this Form 10-K Report.
Within our GE Capital operating segment, we operate the businesses described below along product lines.
Our operations are located in North America, South America, Europe, Australia and Asia.
Commercial Lending and Leasing (CLL)
CLL has particular mid-market expertise, and primarily offers secured commercial loans, equipment financing and other financial services to companies across a wide range of industries including construction, retail, manufacturing, transportation, media, communications, technology and healthcare. Equipment financing activities include industrial, medical, fleet vehicles, corporate aircraft, construction, office imaging and many other equipment types.
In the first quarter of 2013, we announced the planned disposition of our CLL trailer services business in Europe (CLL Trailer Services) and classified the business as discontinued operations. We completed the sale in the fourth quarter of 2013.
In 2011, we completed the sale of our CLL marine container leasing business, which consists of our controlling interests in the GE SeaCo joint venture along with other owned marine container assets, and our CLL trailer fleet services business in Mexico.
We operate 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. In recent years, there has been a disruption in the capital markets and in access to and availability of capital as well as the exit of some competitors. Profitability is affected not only by broad economic conditions that affect customer credit quality and the availability and cost of capital funding, 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, strong transaction expertise and the ability to reduce costs through technology and productivity.
Consumer
Consumer, through consolidated entities and associated companies, is a leading provider of financial services to consumers and retailers around the world. We offer a full range of 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 the fourth quarter of 2013, we completed a sale of 68.5% of our Swiss consumer finance bank, Cembra Money Bank AG (Cembra), through an IPO; we committed to sell our Consumer banking business in Russia (Consumer Russia) and classified the business as discontinued operations; and we sold our remaining equity interest in the Bank of Ayudhya (Bay Bank).
In November 2013, we announced that we intend to pursue an IPO of our North American Retail Finance business (Retail Finance) as a first step in a staged exit from that business. We plan to file a registration statement with the SEC in the first quarter of 2014 and complete the IPO later in 2014.
We plan to issue up to 20% of the equity of Retail Finance in the IPO, in exchange for cash that will be used to increase the capital of the new company. We currently intend to complete our exit from Retail Finance in 2015 through a split-off transaction, by making a tax-free distribution of our remaining interest in Retail Finance to electing GE stockholders in exchange for shares of GE’s common stock. We may also decide to exit by selling or otherwise distributing or disposing of all or a portion of our remaining interest in the Retail Finance shares.
In the first quarter of 2013, we acquired the deposit business of MetLife Bank, N.A., which is an online banking platform with approximately $6.4 billion in U.S. retail deposits that will allow us to better serve our customers.
In 2011, we sold our Consumer Singapore business and our Consumer home lending operations in Australia and New Zealand (Australian Home Lending) and classified them as discontinued operations. Also in 2011, we sold a substantial portion of our Garanti Bank equity investment. During 2012, we sold our remaining equity interest in Garanti Bank, which was classified as an available-for-sale security.
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, finance companies associated with manufacturers, 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 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, warehouses 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.
During 2013, in conjunction with our initiative to increase our overall real estate lending portfolio and reduce our exposure to real estate equity investments, we acquired certain loan portfolios and sold real estate equity investments when economically advantageous for us to do, including the sale of real estate comprising certain floors located at 30 Rockefeller Center, New York.
In 2012, we completed the sale of a portion of our Business Properties portfolio (Business Property), including certain commercial loans, the origination and servicing platforms and the servicing rights on loans previously securitized by GECC. The portion that we retained comprises our owner-occupied/credit tenant portfolio.
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 invests in long-lived, capital-intensive energy projects and companies by providing structured equity, debt, leasing, partnership financing, project finance and broad-based commercial finance.
We operate in a highly competitive environment. Our competitors include banks, financial institutions, energy 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.
GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS)
GECAS, our commercial aircraft financing and leasing business, offers a wide range of aircraft types and financing options, including operating leases and secured debt financing, and also provides productivity solutions including spare engine leasing, airport and airline consulting services, and spare parts financing and management.
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.
GECC Corporate Items and Eliminations
GECC Corporate Items and Eliminations primarily include unallocated Treasury and Tax operations; Trinity, a group of run-off sponsored special purpose entities; the effects of eliminating transactions between GE Capital’s five operating businesses; results of our run-off insurance operations remaining in continuing operations attributable to GECC; unallocated corporate costs; and certain non-allocated amounts determined by the GECC Chairman.
GE Corporate Items and Eliminations
GE Corporate Items and Eliminations includes the results of disposed businesses in which we retain an unconsolidated interest (including NBC Universal LLC until we sold our equity interest in the first quarter of 2013), principal retirement plan costs and unallocated corporate costs, which includes research and development spending (including our Global Research Centers) and costs related to our Global Growth & Operations organization. Corporate Items and Eliminations also includes certain amounts not allocated to GE industrial operating segments because they are excluded from measurement of their operating performance for external purposes. In this regard, the Chief Executive Officer may exclude matters such as charges for restructuring; rationalization and other similar expenses; acquisition costs and other related charges; 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.
Discontinued Operations
Discontinued operations primarily comprises GE Money Japan (our Japanese personal loan business, Lake, and our Japanese mortgage and card businesses, excluding our investment in GE Nissen Credit Co., Ltd.), our U.S. mortgage business (WMC), our U.S. recreational vehicle and marine equipment financing business (Consumer RV Marine), Consumer Mexico, Consumer Singapore, Australian Home Lending, our Consumer mortgage lending business in Ireland (Consumer Ireland), CLL Trailer Services and Consumer Russia.
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.
Geographic Data
Geographic data is provided in the Geographic Operations section in Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Note 27 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K Report.
Orders and Backlog
Orders and backlog information is provided in the Segment Operations and Other Information sections in Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of this Form 10-K Report.
Research and Development
Research and development expenditures information is provided in Note 19 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” and the Other Information section in Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of this Form 10-K Report.
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 number of remediation actions to clean up hazardous wastes as required by federal and state laws. Additional information is provided in Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of this Form 10-K Report.
Employees and Employee Relations
At year-end 2013, General Electric Company and consolidated affiliates employed approximately 307,000 persons, of whom approximately 135,000 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 16,900 GE manufacturing and service employees in the United States are represented for collective bargaining purposes by a total of approximately 108 different local unions. 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 2011, we negotiated four-year agreements with most of our U.S. unions. These agreements modestly increase ongoing costs over the term of the contracts on an aggregate basis. However, the agreements also implement new features that focus on cost containment for health and pension plans. Effective January 1, 2012, all production employees participate in a new consumer-directed health plan. In addition, production employees who commence service on or after that date will not be eligible to participate in the GE Pension Plan, but will participate in a defined contribution retirement program.
Other GE affiliates are parties to labor contracts with various labor unions, also with varying terms and expiration dates, that cover approximately 4,000 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.
Sales of goods and services to agencies of the U.S. Government as a percentage of revenues follow.
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% of Consolidated Revenues
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2013
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2012
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2011
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Total sales to U.S. Government Agencies
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3
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%
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3
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%
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3
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%
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Aviation segment defense-related sales
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2
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3
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3
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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 SEC. Copies are also available, without charge, from GE Corporate Investor Communications, 3135 Easton Turnpike, Fairfield, CT 06828-0001. 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 business descriptions in Item 1. “Business” and the MD&A section of this Form 10-K Report. Below, we describe certain important strategic, operational, financial, and legal and compliance risks. Our reactions to material future developments as well as our competitors’ reactions to those developments will affect our future results.
Our growth is subject to global economic and political risks.
We operate in virtually every part of the world and serve customers in more than 100 countries. In 2013, approximately 53% of our revenue was attributable to activities outside the United States. Our operations are subject to the effects of global competition and geopolitical risks. They are also affected by local economic environments, including inflation, recession, currency volatility and actual or anticipated default on sovereign debt. 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 global economic and political 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 may decrease or become even more costly as a result of more volatile market conditions.
We are subject to a wide variety of laws, regulations and government policies 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. There can be no assurance that laws, regulations and policies will not be changed in ways that will require us to modify our business models and objectives or affect our returns on investments by restricting existing activities and products, subjecting them to escalating costs or prohibiting them outright. In particular, U.S. and non-U.S. governments are undertaking a substantial 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 changes may have an effect on GE’s and GE Capital’s structure, operations, liquidity, capital requirements, effective tax rate 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. financial institutions in global markets. This provision, which had expired at the end of 2011, was reinstated in January 2013 retroactively for two years through the end of 2013. This provision also had been scheduled to expire and had been extended by Congress on six previous occasions, but there can be no assurance that it will continue to be extended. In the event the provision is not extended after 2013, 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 2014. In addition, efforts by public and private sectors to control the growth of healthcare costs may lead to lower reimbursements and increased utilization controls related to the use of our products by healthcare providers. Continued government scrutiny, including reviews of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) medical device pre-market authorization and post-market surveillance processes, may impact the requirements for marketing our products and slow our ability to introduce new products, resulting in an adverse impact on our business. Furthermore, we have been, and expect to continue, participating in U.S. and international governmental 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.
Under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, we are subject to prudential oversight by the Federal Reserve, including as a result of GECC’s designation as a nonbank systemically important financial institution, which subjects us to increased and evolving regulatory requirements.
GECC is a regulated savings and loan holding company and in 2011 became subject to Federal Reserve Board (FRB) supervision under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (DFA). In 2013, the U.S. Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) designated GECC as a nonbank systemically important financial institution (nonbank SIFI) under the DFA. As a result of this change in supervision and designation, stricter prudential regulatory standards and supervision apply to GECC. Many of the rulemakings for supervision of nonbank SIFIs are not final and therefore the exact impact and implementation date remain uncertain. These DFA rulemakings will require, among other items, enhanced capital and liquidity levels, compliance with the comprehensive capital analysis and review regulations (CCAR), compliance with counterparty credit exposure limits, and the development of a resolution plan for submission to regulators. The FRB recently finalized regulations to revise and replace its current rules on capital adequacy and to extend capital regulations to savings and loan holding companies like GECC. GECC will ultimately also become subject to the Basel III advanced capital rules that will be applicable to institutions with $250 billion or more in assets. The FRB has also indicated in a proposed rulemaking that it will require nonbank SIFIs to submit annual capital plans for review, including institutions’ plans to make capital distributions, such as dividend payments. While GECC is not yet subject to this regulation, GECC’s capital allocation planning remains subject to FRB review as a savings and loan holding company. For additional information, see Liquidity and Borrowings in Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of this Form 10-K Report.
We are subject to legal proceedings and legal compliance risks.
We are subject to a variety of legal proceedings and legal compliance risks in virtually every part of the world. We, our representatives, and the industries in which we operate are subject to continuing scrutiny by regulators and other governmental authorities, which may, in certain circumstances, 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 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 Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” 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.
The success of our business depends on achieving our strategic objectives, including through acquisitions, joint ventures, dispositions and restructurings.
With respect to acquisitions, joint ventures and restructuring actions, we may not achieve expected returns and other benefits as a result of various factors, including integration and collaboration challenges, such as personnel and technology. In addition, we may not achieve anticipated cost savings from restructuring actions, which could result in lower margin rates. We also participate in a number of joint ventures with other companies or government enterprises in various markets around the world, including joint ventures where we may have a lesser degree of control over the business operations, which may expose us to additional operational, financial, legal or compliance risks. We also 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 executing alternative exit strategies on acceptable terms in a timely manner, which could delay the accomplishment of our strategic objectives. For example, delays in obtaining tax rulings and regulatory approvals or clearances, and disruptions or volatility in the capital markets may impact our ability to complete the staged exit from our North American Retail Finance business as planned. Alternatively, we may dispose of a business at a price or on terms that are less than we had anticipated. After reaching an agreement with a buyer or seller for the acquisition or disposition of a business, we are subject to satisfaction of pre-closing conditions as well as to necessary regulatory and governmental approvals on acceptable terms, which may prevent us from completing the transaction. Dispositions may also involve continued financial involvement in the divested business, such as through continuing equity ownership, guarantees, indemnities or other financial obligations. Under these arrangements, performance by the divested businesses or other conditions outside our control could affect our future financial results.
Sustained increases in pension and healthcare benefits costs 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 use to estimate pension expense for 2014 are the discount rate and the expected long-term rate of return on the plan assets. In addition, we are required to make an annual measurement of plan assets and liabilities, which may result in a significant reduction or increase to equity. At the end of 2013, the GE Pension Plan was underfunded, on a U.S. GAAP basis, by $4.7 billion, and the GE Supplementary Pension Plan, an unfunded plan, had a projected benefit obligation of $5.2 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 driven by various factors, which could include a continued environment of low interest rates or sustained market volatility, 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.
Conditions in the financial and credit markets may affect the availability and cost of funding.
As disclosed in more detail in the Liquidity and Borrowings section in Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of this Form 10-K Report, a large portion of our borrowings is in the form of commercial paper and long-term debt. We continue to rely on the availability of the unsecured debt markets to access funding for term and commercial paper maturities for 2014 and beyond and to fund our operations without incurring additional U.S. tax. In addition, we rely on the availability of the commercial paper markets to refinance maturing commercial paper debt throughout the year. In order to further diversify our funding sources, GE Capital continues to expand its 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 increasing the diversification of 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 our overall profitability. Factors that may affect the availability of funding or 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; decreased capacity and increased competition among debt issuers; increased competition for deposits in our affiliate banks’ markets; and potential market disruptions or other impacts arising in the United States or Europe from developments in sovereign debt situations. If GE Capital’s cost of funding were to increase, it may adversely affect its competitive position and result in lower net interest margins, earnings and cash flows as well as lower returns on its shareowner’s equity and invested capital.
A deterioration of conditions in the global economy, the major industries we serve or the financial markets, or the soundness of financial institutions and governments we deal with, may adversely affect our business and results of operations.
The business and operating results of our industrial businesses have been, and will continue to be, affected by worldwide economic conditions, including conditions in the air and rail transportation, energy generation, healthcare, home building and other major industries we serve. 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 as a result of business deterioration, cash flow shortages, and difficulty obtaining financing due to slower global economic growth and other challenges affecting the global economy. 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. An extended period of slow growth in the U.S. or internationally that results 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 or customer dynamics such as early aircraft retirements or reduced energy demand in our Power & Water business 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 slower growth in the global economy continues for a significant period or there is significant deterioration in the global economy, our results of operations, financial position and cash flows could be materially adversely affected.
If conditions in the financial markets deteriorate, there can be no assurance that we will be able to recover fully the value of certain assets, including real estate, goodwill, intangibles and tax assets. Deterioration in the economy and in default and recovery rates could require us to increase allowances for loan losses, impairments or 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.
In addition, GE Capital has exposure to many different industries and counterparties, including sovereign governments, 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 value of collateral held cannot be realized through sale or is liquidated at prices insufficient 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 cash on deposit and unsecured debt instruments held in its investment portfolios. GE Capital has policies relating to 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.
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. As of December 31, 2013, GE and GECC’s long-term unsecured debt credit rating from Standard and Poor’s Ratings Service (S&P) was AA+ (the second highest of 22 rating categories) with a stable outlook. The long-term unsecured debt credit rating from Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s) for GE was Aa3 (the fourth highest of 21 rating categories) and for GECC was A1 (the fifth highest of 21 credit ratings), both with stable outlooks. As of December 31, 2013, GE and GECC’s short-term credit rating from S&P was A-1+ (the highest rating category of six categories) and from Moody’s was P-1 (the highest rating category of four categories). 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 and derivative 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.
Increased cybersecurity requirements, vulnerabilities, threats and more sophisticated and targeted computer crime could pose a risk to our systems, networks, products, solutions, services and data.
Increased global cybersecurity vulnerabilities, threats and more sophisticated and targeted cyber-related attacks pose a risk to the security of our and our customers’, suppliers’ and third-party service providers’ products, systems and networks and the confidentiality, availability and integrity of our data. While we attempt to mitigate these risks by employing a number of measures, including employee training, monitoring and testing, and maintenance of protective systems and contingency plans, we remain potentially vulnerable to additional known or unknown threats. We also may have access to sensitive, confidential or personal data or information in certain of our businesses that is subject to privacy and security laws, regulations and customer-imposed controls. Despite our efforts to protect sensitive, confidential or personal data or information, we may be vulnerable to security breaches, theft, misplaced or lost data, programming errors, employee errors and/or malfeasance that could potentially lead to the compromising of sensitive, confidential or personal data or information, improper use of our systems, software solutions or networks, unauthorized access, use, disclosure, modification or destruction of information, defective products, production downtimes and operational disruptions. In addition, a cyber-related attack could result in other negative consequences, including damage to our reputation or competitiveness, remediation or increased protection costs, litigation or regulatory action.
We may face operational challenges that could have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation, financial position and results of operations, and we are dependent on maintenance of existing product lines, market acceptance of new product and service introductions and product and service innovations for continued revenue and earnings growth.
We produce highly sophisticated products and provide specialized services for both our and third-party products that incorporate or use leading-edge technology, including both hardware and software. While we have built extensive operational processes to ensure that the design, manufacture and servicing of such products meet the most rigorous quality standards, there can be no assurance that we or our customers or other third parties will not experience operational process failures or other problems, including through intentional acts, that could result in potential product, safety, regulatory or environmental risks. Despite the existence of crisis management or business continuity plans, operational failures or quality issues, including as a result of organizational changes, could have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation, financial position and results of operations. In addition, the markets in which we operate are subject to technological change and require skilled talent. Our long-term operating results depend substantially upon our ability to continually develop, introduce, and market new and innovative products and services, to modify existing products and services, to customize products and services, to respond to technological change and to execute our product and service development in line with our projected cost estimates.
Our intellectual property portfolio may not prevent competitors from independently developing products and services similar to or duplicative to ours.
Our patents and other intellectual property may not prevent competitors from independently developing or selling 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. We could also face competition in some countries where we have not invested in an intellectual property portfolio. We also face attempts to gain unauthorized access to our IT systems or products for the purpose of improperly acquiring our trade secrets or confidential business information. The theft or unauthorized use or publication of our trade secrets and other confidential business information as a result of such an incident could adversely affect our competitive position and the value of our investment in research and development. We may be unable to secure or retain ownership or rights to use data in certain software analytics or services offerings. 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 renew 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 and sourcing 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. Some of these suppliers or their sub-suppliers are limited- or sole-source suppliers. 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, including as a result of catastrophic events, could have an adverse effect on our ability to meet our commitments to customers or increase our operating costs. Quality and sourcing 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.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
Not applicable.
Item 2. Properties
Manufacturing operations are carried out at approximately 237 manufacturing plants located in 38 states in the United States and Puerto Rico and at approximately 305 manufacturing plants located in 40 other countries.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
As previously reported, in February and March 2012, two shareholder derivative actions were filed in New York Supreme Court naming as defendants GE, a number of GE officers (including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer) and our directors. The complaints sought unspecified damages and principally alleged breaches of fiduciary duty and other causes of action related to 2009 earnings forecasts for GE Capital, changes in the GE dividend and GE’s credit rating in 2009 and GE’s 2008 commercial paper program. In June 2012, these two cases were consolidated into a single action. GE filed a motion to dismiss the consolidated action in December 2012. On November 7, 2013, the court entered an order dismissing the consolidated complaint and granting plaintiffs leave to serve an amended complaint. Plaintiffs served, and later withdrew, an amended complaint, and on January 3, 2014, the court directed the entry of final judgment in favor of GE.
There are 14 lawsuits relating to pending mortgage loan repurchase claims in which WMC, our U.S. mortgage business that we sold in 2007, is a party. The adverse parties in these cases are securitization trustees or parties claiming to act on their behalf. While the alleged claims for relief vary from case to case, the complaints and counterclaims in these actions generally assert claims for breach of contract, indemnification, and/or declaratory judgment, and seek specific performance (repurchase) and/or monetary damages. In the fourth quarter of 2013, WMC entered into settlements that reduce its exposure on claims asserted in certain securitizations. Pending claim and Litigation Claim amounts reported herein reflect the impact of these settlements.
Five WMC cases are pending in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut. Four of these cases were initiated in 2012, and one was initiated in the third quarter of 2013. Deutsche Bank National Trust Company (Deutsche Bank) is the adverse party in four cases, and Law Debenture Trust Company of New York (Law Debenture) is the adverse party in one case. The Deutsche Bank complaints assert claims on approximately $2,800 million of mortgage loans and seek to recover damages in excess of approximately $1,800 million. The Law Debenture complaint asserts claims on approximately $800 million of mortgage loans, and alleges losses on these loans in excess of approximately $425 million. GECC was initially named a defendant in each of the Connecticut cases and has been dismissed from all of those cases without prejudice.
Four WMC cases are pending in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota against US Bank National Association (US Bank), one of which was initiated by WMC seeking declaratory judgment. Three of these cases were filed in 2012, and one was filed in 2011. One additional case filed by WMC in the fourth quarter 2012 was dismissed without prejudice in July 2013, due to a proceeding involving the same securitization in New York State Supreme Court, as described below. WMC voluntarily dismissed without prejudice in January 2014 two other cases in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota in which WMC had been seeking declaratory judgments. The Minnesota cases still pending involve claims on approximately $800 million of mortgage loans and do not specify the amount of damages sought. In September 2013, the District Court granted in part and denied in part WMC’s motions to dismiss or for summary judgment in these remaining cases, dismissing US Bank’s claims for indemnification and for damages based on WMC’s alleged refusal to repurchase but holding that WMC could be liable for money damages if US Bank can prove that WMC knew of a breach of representation or warranty in the mortgage loan pool of which the trustee had no knowledge and failed to notify the trustee. The court also held that US Bank may seek to recover money damages against WMC for losses incurred by the trustee arising from loans previously liquidated by the trustee if WMC was grossly negligent regarding notifying the trustee of the presence of defects in the loans.
Three cases are pending against WMC in New York State Supreme Court, all of which were initiated by securitization trustees or securities administrators. These cases involve, in the aggregate, claims involving approximately $3,600 million of mortgage loans. One of these lawsuits was initiated by Deutsche Bank in the second quarter 2013 and names as defendants WMC and Barclays Bank PLC. It involves claims against WMC on approximately $1,000 million of mortgage loans and does not specify the amount of damages sought. The second case, in which the plaintiff is The Bank of New York Mellon (BNY), was initiated in the fourth quarter 2012 and names as defendants WMC, J.P. Morgan Mortgage Acquisition Corporation and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. GECC, which was initially named, is no longer a defendant. This case arises from the same securitization as one of the cases initiated by WMC in Minnesota, noted above. BNY asserts claims on approximately $1,300 million of mortgage loans, and seeks to recover damages in excess of $650 million. The third case was initiated by BNY in November 2013 and names as defendants WMC, J.P. Morgan Mortgage Acquisition Corporation and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. In this case, BNY asserts claims on approximately $1,300 million of mortgage loans, and seeks to recover damages in excess of $600 million. An additional case, initiated in the second quarter 2013 by Seagull Point, LLC (Seagull Point), acting individually and purportedly on behalf of Morgan Stanley ABS Capital I Inc. Trust 2007-HE5, named as defendants WMC, Decision One Mortgage Company, LLC (Decision One), Morgan Stanley Mortgage Capital Inc., Morgan Stanley Mortgage Capital Holdings LLC, Morgan Stanley ABS Capital I Inc., and Morgan Stanley ABS Capital I Inc. Trust 2007-HE5 (as nominal defendant), and sought damages against WMC and Decision One in excess of $475 million. Seagull Point dismissed the case in January 2014.
Two cases are pending against WMC in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. One case, in which the plaintiff is BNY, was filed in the third quarter 2012. In the second quarter 2013, BNY filed an amended complaint in which it asserts claims on approximately $900 million of mortgage loans, and seeks to recover damages in excess of $378 million. In September 2013, the District Court issued a ruling from the bench denying WMC’s motion to dismiss the trustee’s claim for damages and holding that the initial submission of claims on certain mortgage loans was sufficient to provide notice to WMC that the entire pool of loans supporting the securitization was potentially subject to claims for relief by the trustee. One case was initiated by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) by filing a summons with notice in the fourth quarter 2012. In the second quarter 2013, Deutsche Bank, in its role as securitization trustee of the trust at issue in the case, intervened as a plaintiff and filed a complaint relating to approximately $1,300 million of loans and alleging losses in excess of approximately $100 million. In December 2013, the District Court issued an order denying WMC’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit on statute of limitations and other grounds.
The amounts of the mortgage loans at issue in these cases (discussed above) reflect the purchase price or unpaid principal balances of the loans at the time of purchase and do not give effect to pay downs, accrued interest or fees, or potential recoveries based upon the underlying collateral. Of the mortgage loans involved in these lawsuits, approximately $3,900 million were included in WMC’s pending claims at December 31, 2013. The claims relating to other mortgage loans not included in WMC’s pending claims consist of sampling-based claims in two cases on approximately $600 million of mortgage loans and, in ten cases, claims for repurchase or damages based on the alleged failure to provide notice of defective loans, breach of a corporate representation and warranty, and/or non-specific claims for rescissionary damages on approximately $6,200 million of mortgage loans, as of December 31, 2013. The dismissal of a lawsuit subsequent to December 31, 2013 decreased the pending claims amount by $123 million and the Litigation Claims amount by $318 million. See Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K Report for additional information.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.
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 the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. 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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fourth quarter
|
$
|
28.09
|
|
$
|
23.50
|
|
$
|
0.22
|
Third quarter
|
|
24.95
|
|
|
22.76
|
|
|
0.19
|
Second quarter
|
|
24.45
|
|
|
21.11
|
|
|
0.19
|
First quarter
|
|
23.90
|
|
|
20.68
|
|
|
0.19
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fourth quarter
|
$
|
23.18
|
|
$
|
19.87
|
|
$
|
0.19
|
Third quarter
|
|
22.96
|
|
|
19.36
|
|
|
0.17
|
Second quarter
|
|
20.84
|
|
|
18.02
|
|
|
0.17
|
First quarter
|
|
21.00
|
|
|
18.23
|
|
|
0.17
|
As of January 31, 2014, there were approximately 500,000 shareowner accounts of record.
During the fourth quarter of 2013, 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
|
|
our share
|
|
share
|
|
|
|
of shares
|
|
price paid
|
|
repurchase
|
|
repurchase
|
|
Period(a)
|
|
purchased
|
(a)(b)
|
per share
|
|
program
|
(a)(c)
|
program
|
(c)
|
(Shares in thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
October
|
|
|
6,117
|
|
$
|
25.32
|
|
|
6,010
|
|
|
|
|
November
|
|
|
26,466
|
|
$
|
27.00
|
|
|
26,385
|
|
|
|
|
December
|
|
|
55,610
|
|
$
|
27.18
|
|
|
55,493
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
88,193
|
|
$
|
27.00
|
|
|
87,888
|
$
|
12.3
|
billion
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
Information is presented on a fiscal calendar basis, consistent with our quarterly financial reporting.
|
(b)
|
This category includes 305 thousand shares repurchased from our various benefit plans.
|
(c)
|
Shares are repurchased through the 2007 GE Share Repurchase Program (the Program). Effective December 14, 2012, we increased the existing Program authorization by $10 billion to $25 billion and extended the Program, which would have otherwise expired on December 31, 2013, through 2015. Effective February 12, 2013, we increased this Program authorization by an additional $10 billion resulting in authorization to repurchase up to a total of $35 billion of our common stock through 2015. As of December 31, 2013, we had repurchased a total of approximately $22.7 billion of common stock under the Program. 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, a stock purchase plan that is available to the public.
|
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.
Five-year financial performance graph: 2009-2013
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, 2008, 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, 2013.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GE
|
$
|
100
|
|
$
|
100
|
|
$
|
124
|
|
$
|
125
|
|
$
|
151
|
|
$
|
209
|
S&P 500
|
|
100
|
|
|
126
|
|
|
145
|
|
|
149
|
|
|
172
|
|
|
228
|
DJIA
|
|
100
|
|
|
123
|
|
|
140
|
|
|
152
|
|
|
167
|
|
|
216
|
Item 6. Selected Financial Data.
The following table provides key information for Consolidated, GE and GECC.
(Dollars in millions; per-share amounts in dollars)
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
|
2011
|
|
2010
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General Electric Company and
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated Affiliates
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues and other income
|
$
|
146,045
|
|
$
|
146,684
|
|
$
|
146,542
|
|
$
|
148,875
|
|
$
|
153,686
|
|
Earnings from continuing operations attributable to the
Company
|
|
15,177
|
|
|
14,624
|
|
|
14,122
|
|
|
12,577
|
|
|
10,993
|
|
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
attributable to the Company
|
|
(2,120)
|
|
|
(983)
|
|
|
29
|
|
|
(933)
|
|
|
32
|
|
Net earnings attributable to the Company
|
|
13,057
|
|
|
13,641
|
|
|
14,151
|
|
|
11,644
|
|
|
11,025
|
|
Dividends declared(a)
|
|
8,060
|
|
|
7,372
|
|
|
7,498
|
|
|
5,212
|
|
|
6,785
|
|
Return on average GE shareowners’ equity(b)
|
|
12.2
|
%
|
|
12.1
|
%
|
|
12.1
|
%
|
|
12.3
|
%
|
|
11.7
|
%
|
Per common share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings from continuing operations – diluted
|
$
|
1.47
|
|
$
|
1.38
|
|
$
|
1.23
|
|
$
|
1.15
|
|
$
|
1.00
|
|
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations – diluted
|
|
(0.21)
|
|
|
(0.09)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(0.09)
|
|
|
-
|
|
Net earnings – diluted
|
|
1.27
|
|
|
1.29
|
|
|
1.23
|
|
|
1.06
|
|
|
1.01
|
|
Earnings from continuing operations – basic
|
|
1.48
|
|
|
1.39
|
|
|
1.23
|
|
|
1.15
|
|
|
1.00
|
|
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations – basic
|
|
(0.21)
|
|
|
(0.09)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(0.09)
|
|
|
-
|
|
Net earnings – basic
|
|
1.28
|
|
|
1.29
|
|
|
1.24
|
|
|
1.06
|
|
|
1.01
|
|
Dividends declared
|
|
0.79
|
|
|
0.70
|
|
|
0.61
|
|
|
0.46
|
|
|
0.61
|
|
Stock price range
|
28.09-20.68
|
|
23.18-18.02
|
|
21.65-14.02
|
|
19.70-13.75
|
|
17.52-5.87
|
|
Year-end closing stock price
|
|
28.03
|
|
|
20.99
|
|
|
17.91
|
|
|
18.29
|
|
|
15.13
|
|
Cash and equivalents
|
|
88,555
|
|
|
77,268
|
|
|
84,440
|
|
|
78,917
|
|
|
70,469
|
|
Total assets of continuing operations
|
|
654,221
|
|
|
681,684
|
|
|
714,018
|
|
|
729,895
|
|
|
751,677
|
|
Total assets
|
|
656,560
|
|
|
684,999
|
|
|
718,003
|
|
|
745,426
|
|
|
780,309
|
|
Long-term borrowings
|
|
221,665
|
|
|
236,084
|
|
|
243,459
|
|
|
293,323
|
|
|
336,172
|
|
Common shares outstanding – average (in thousands)
|
10,222,198
|
|
10,522,922
|
|
10,591,146
|
|
10,661,078
|
|
10,613,717
|
|
Common shareowner accounts – average
|
|
512,000
|
|
|
537,000
|
|
|
570,000
|
|
|
588,000
|
|
|
605,000
|
|
Employees at year end(c)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
United States
|
|
135,000
|
|
|
134,000
|
|
|
131,000
|
|
|
121,000
|
|
|
122,000
|
|
Other countries
|
|
172,000
|
|
|
171,000
|
|
|
170,000
|
|
|
152,000
|
|
|
168,000
|
|
Total employees(c)
|
|
307,000
|
|
|
305,000
|
|
|
301,000
|
|
|
273,000
|
|
|
290,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GE data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short-term borrowings
|
$
|
1,841
|
|
$
|
6,041
|
|
$
|
2,184
|
|
$
|
456
|
|
$
|
504
|
|
Long-term borrowings
|
|
11,515
|
|
|
11,428
|
|
|
9,405
|
|
|
9,656
|
|
|
11,681
|
|
Noncontrolling interests
|
|
836
|
|
|
777
|
|
|
1,006
|
|
|
4,098
|
|
|
5,797
|
|
GE shareowners’ equity
|
|
130,566
|
|
|
123,026
|
|
|
116,438
|
|
|
118,936
|
|
|
117,291
|
|
Total capital invested
|
$
|
144,758
|
|
$
|
141,272
|
|
$
|
129,033
|
|
$
|
133,146
|
|
$
|
135,273
|
|
Return on average total capital invested(b)
|
|
11.3
|
%
|
|
11.7
|
%
|
|
11.7
|
%
|
|
12.0
|
%
|
|
10.7
|
%
|
Borrowings as a percentage of total capital invested(b)
|
|
9.2
|
%
|
|
12.4
|
%
|
|
9.0
|
%
|
|
7.6
|
%
|
|
9.0
|
%
|
Working capital(b)
|
$
|
(1,278)
|
|
$
|
(567)
|
|
$
|
(1,712)
|
|
$
|
(3,035)
|
|
$
|
(1,596)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GECC data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
$
|
44,067
|
|
$
|
45,364
|
|
$
|
48,324
|
|
$
|
49,163
|
|
$
|
51,065
|
|
Earnings from continuing operations attributable to GECC
|
|
8,258
|
|
|
7,345
|
|
|
6,480
|
|
|
3,083
|
|
|
1,364
|
|
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
attributable to GECC
|
|
(2,054)
|
|
|
(1,130)
|
|
|
30
|
|
|
(928)
|
|
|
51
|
|
Net earnings attributable to GECC
|
|
6,204
|
|
|
6,215
|
|
|
6,510
|
|
|
2,155
|
|
|
1,415
|
|
Net earnings attributable to GECC common shareowner
|
|
5,906
|
|
|
6,092
|
|
|
6,510
|
|
|
2,155
|
|
|
1,415
|
|
GECC shareowners' equity
|
|
82,694
|
|
|
81,890
|
|
|
77,110
|
|
|
68,984
|
|
|
70,833
|
|
Total borrowings and bank deposits
|
|
371,062
|
|
|
397,039
|
|
|
442,830
|
|
|
470,363
|
|
|
493,223
|
|
Ratio of debt to equity at GECC(d)
|
|
4.49:1
|
|
|
4.85:1
|
|
|
5.74:1
|
|
|
6.82:1
|
|
|
6.96:1
|
|
Total assets(e)
|
$
|
516,829
|
|
$
|
539,351
|
|
$
|
584,643
|
|
$
|
605,365
|
|
$
|
650,465
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Transactions between GE and GECC have been eliminated from the consolidated information.
(a)
|
Included $1,031 million of preferred stock dividends ($806 million related to our preferred stock redemption) in 2011 and $300 million in both 2010 and 2009.
|
(b)
|
Indicates terms are defined in the Glossary.
|
(c)
|
Excludes NBC Universal employees of 14,000 in both 2010 and 2009.
|
(d)
|
Ratios of 3.19:1, 3.66:1, 4.23:1, 5.25:1 and 5.45:1 for 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, net of cash and equivalents and with classification of hybrid debt as equity. For purposes of these ratios, cash and debt balances have been adjusted to include amounts classified as assets and liabilities of businesses held for sale and discontinued operations.
|
(e)
|
GECC’s total assets excludes deferred income tax liabilities, which are presented as assets for purposes of our consolidating balance sheet presentation.
|
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Operations
The consolidated financial statements of General Electric Company (the Company) combine the industrial manufacturing and services businesses of General Electric Company (GE) with the financial services businesses of General Electric Capital Corporation (GECC or financial services). Unless otherwise indicated by the context, we use the terms “GE” and “GECC” 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.
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 2011 through 2013, Global Risk Management, Segment Operations, Geographic Operations and Environmental Matters. Unless otherwise indicated, we refer to captions such as revenues and other income 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. Discussion of GECC’s total assets excludes deferred income tax liabilities, which are presented as assets for purposes of our consolidating balance sheet presentations for this filing.
We supplement our GAAP net earnings and earnings per share (EPS) reporting by also reporting operating earnings and operating EPS (non-GAAP measures). Operating earnings and operating EPS include service costs and plan amendment amortization for our principal pension plans as these costs represent expenses associated with employee benefits earned. Operating earnings and operating EPS exclude non-operating pension cost/income such as interest costs, expected return on plan assets and non-cash amortization of actuarial gains and losses. We believe that this reporting provides better transparency to the employee benefit costs of our principal pension plans and Company operating results.
Overview of Our Earnings from 2011 through 2013
Earnings from continuing operations attributable to the Company increased 4% to $15.2 billion in 2013 and increased 4% to $14.6 billion in 2012, reflecting strong industrial segment growth and continued stabilization in financial services during the last two years. Operating earnings (non-GAAP measure), which exclude non-operating pension costs, increased 5% to $16.9 billion in 2013 compared with an 8% increase to $16.0 billion in 2012. Earnings per share (EPS) from continuing operations increased 7% to $1.47 in 2013 compared with a 12% increase to $1.38 in 2012. Operating EPS (non-GAAP measure) increased 9% to $1.64 in 2013 compared with a 16% increase to $1.51 in 2012. Net earnings attributable to the Company decreased 4% in 2013 reflecting a 4% increase in earnings from continuing operations, more than offset by an increase in losses from discontinued operations. Net earnings attributable to the Company decreased 4% in 2012 reflecting losses from discontinued operations, partially offset by an increase of 4% in earnings from continuing operations. We begin 2014 with a record backlog of $244 billion, continue to invest in market-leading technology and services and expect to continue industrial segment revenue and earnings growth.
Power & Water (18% and 23% of consolidated three-year revenues and total segment profit, respectively) revenues decreased 13% in 2013 primarily as a result of lower volume and the effects of the stronger U.S. dollar, partially offset by higher prices and other income. Revenues increased 10% in 2012 primarily as higher volume and other income were partially offset by the effects of the stronger U.S. dollar and lower prices. Segment profit decreased 8% in 2013 primarily driven by lower volume and lower cost productivity, partially offset by the effects of deflation, higher prices and other income. Segment profit increased 8% in 2012 as higher volume, increased other income and deflation were partially offset by lower prices, lower productivity and the stronger U.S. dollar.
Oil & Gas (10% and 8% of consolidated three-year revenues and total segment profit, respectively) revenues increased 11% in 2013 primarily as a result of higher volume and higher prices. Revenues increased 12% in 2012 as higher volume (driven by acquisitions) and higher sales of both equipment and services were partially offset by the stronger U.S. dollar. Segment profit increased 13% in 2013 primarily on higher volume and higher prices, partially offset by lower cost productivity. Segment profit increased 16% in 2012 on higher volume and increased productivity, partially offset by the effects of the stronger U.S. dollar.
Energy Management (5% and less than 1% of consolidated three-year revenues and total segment profit, respectively) revenues increased 2% in 2013 as higher volume was partially offset by the effects of the stronger U.S. dollar. In 2012, revenues increased 15% as a result of higher volume primarily from acquisitions, higher prices and increased other income offset partially by the effects of the stronger U.S. dollar. Segment profit decreased 16% in 2013 primarily driven by lower productivity. Segment profit increased 68% in 2012 primarily driven by higher prices and increased other income.
Aviation (14% and 17% of consolidated three-year revenues and total segment profit, respectively) revenues increased 10% in 2013 on higher volume and higher prices primarily driven by higher services and equipment sales in commercial spares and commercial engines, respectively. In 2012, Aviation revenues increased 6% as a result of higher prices and higher volume driven by increased commercial and military engine sales. Segment profit increased 16% in 2013 as a result of higher prices, higher volume and increased other income offset partially by the effects of inflation and lower productivity. Segment profit increased 7% in 2012 as higher prices and higher volume were partially offset by the effects of inflation and lower productivity.
Healthcare (12% and 13% of consolidated three-year revenues and total segment profit, respectively) revenues were slightly lower in 2013 on lower prices and the effects of a stronger U.S. dollar, partially offset by higher volume. Revenues increased 1% in 2012 due to higher volume in international equipment sales, with the strongest growth in emerging markets and other income, partially offset by the stronger U.S. dollar and lower prices. Segment profit increased 4% in 2013 as a result of increased productivity and volume, partially offset by lower prices, the effects of inflation and the stronger U.S. dollar. Segment profit increased 4% in 2012 as increased productivity, higher volume and other income were partially offset by lower prices and the effects of inflation.
Transportation (4% and 4% of consolidated three-year revenues and total segment profit, respectively) revenues increased 5% in 2013 due to higher volume, primarily from acquisitions. Revenues increased 15% in 2012 due to higher volume and higher prices related to increased equipment sales and services. Segment profit increased 13% in 2013 as a result of the effects of deflation, higher volume and increased productivity. Segment profit increased 36% in 2012 as a result of higher volume, higher prices and increased productivity, reflecting improved service margins.
Appliances & Lighting (formerly Home & Business Solutions) (5% and 1% of consolidated three-year revenues and total segment profit, respectively) revenues increased 5% in 2013 primarily on higher volume at Appliances. In 2012, revenues increased 4% reflecting higher prices at Appliances, partially offset by lower volume. Segment profit increased 23% in 2013 primarily as a result of improved productivity and higher prices. Segment profit increased 31% in 2012 as a result of higher prices, partially offset by the effects of inflation and lower productivity.
GE Capital (31% and 33% of consolidated three-year revenues and total segment profit, respectively) revenues decreased 3% in 2013 and 6% in 2012, reflecting a reduction in ending net investment (ENI). Net earnings increased 12% in 2013 and 13% in 2012 as a result of dispositions and higher gains, partially offset by higher impairments and higher provisions for losses on financing receivables. We reduced ENI, excluding cash and equivalents, to $380 billion at December 31, 2013. GECC is a diversely funded and smaller, more focused finance company with strong positions in several commercial mid-market and consumer financing segments.
We integrate acquisitions as quickly as possible. Only revenues and earnings from the date we complete the acquisition through the end of the following fourth quarter are attributed to such businesses. Overall, the effects of acquisitions increased consolidated revenues $1.6 billion, $2.0 billion and $4.5 billion in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The effects of acquisitions on our consolidated net earnings were increases of $0.1 billion, $0.1 billion and an insignificant amount in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Dispositions also affected our ongoing results through lower revenues of $0.1 billion, $5.1 billion and $12.6 billion in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The effects of dispositions on net earnings were an increase of $1.4 billion in 2013 and decreases of $0.3 billion in both 2012 and 2011.
Discontinued Operations. In 2013, we sold our CLL trailer services business in Europe (CLL Trailer Services) and announced the planned sale of our Consumer banking business in Russia (Consumer Russia). These actions are consistent with our goal of reducing GECC ENI and focusing our businesses on selective financial services products where we have deep domain experience, broad distribution, and the ability to earn a consistent return on capital, while managing our overall balance sheet size and risk. Discontinued operations also includes GE Money Japan (our Japanese personal loan business, Lake, and our Japanese mortgage and card businesses, excluding our investment in GE Nissen Credit Co., Ltd.), our U.S. mortgage business (WMC), our U.S. recreational vehicle and marine equipment financing business (Consumer RV Marine), Consumer Mexico, Consumer Singapore, our Consumer home lending operations in Australia and New Zealand (Australian Home Lending) and our Consumer mortgage lending business in Ireland (Consumer Ireland). All of these operations were previously reported in the GE Capital segment.
We reported the operations described above as discontinued operations for all periods presented. For further information about discontinued operations, see the Segment Operations – Discontinued Operations section in this Item and 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 $8.1 billion in dividends in 2013. Common per-share dividends increased 13% to $0.79 in 2013 after an increase of 15% to $0.70 in 2012. We increased our quarterly dividend four times between 2011 and 2013, and on February 7, 2014, our Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.22 per share of common stock, which is payable April 25, 2014, to shareowners of record at close of business on February 24, 2014. In 2011, we declared $1.0 billion in preferred stock dividends (including $0.8 billion as a result of our redemption of preferred stock). See Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K Report for additional information.
Except as otherwise noted, the analysis in the remainder of this section presents the results of GE (with GECC included on a one-line basis) and GECC. See the Segment Operations section of this Item and Note 27 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K Report for a more detailed discussion of the businesses within GE and GECC.
Significant matters relating to our Statement of Earnings are explained below.
GE sales of product services were $44.8 billion in 2013, an increase of 3% compared with 2012, and operating profit from product services was $13.4 billion in 2013, an increase of 7% compared with 2012. Both the sales and operating profit of product services increases were at Oil & Gas, Aviation, Energy Management and Transportation. GE sales of product services were $43.4 billion in 2012, an increase of 4% compared with 2011, and operating profit from product services was $12.5 billion in 2012, an increase of 6% compared with 2011. Both the sales and operating profit of product services increases were at Power & Water, Oil & Gas, Transportation and Energy Management.
Postretirement benefit plans costs were $6.0 billion, $5.5 billion and $4.1 billion in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Costs increased in 2013 and 2012 primarily due to the continued amortization of 2008 investment losses and the effects of lower discount rates (principal pension plans discount rate decreased from 5.28% at December 31, 2010 to 4.21% and 3.96% at December 31, 2011 and 2012, respectively.)
Our discount rate for our principal pension plans at December 31, 2013 was 4.85%, which reflected current interest rates. Considering the current and target 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 7.5% for cost recognition in 2014, a reduction from the 8.0% we assumed in 2013, 2012 and 2011. GAAP provides for recognition of differences between assumed and actual returns over a period no longer than the average future service of employees. See the Critical Accounting Estimates section for additional information.
We expect the costs of our postretirement benefits to decrease in 2014 by approximately $1.3 billion as compared to 2013, primarily because of the effects of higher discount rates and lower loss amortization related to our principal pension plans, partially offset by lower expected investment return on pension plan assets.
Pension expense for our principal pension plans on a GAAP basis was $4.4 billion, $3.8 billion and $2.4 billion in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Operating pension costs (non-GAAP) for these plans were $1.8 billion, $1.7 billion and $1.4 billion in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Operating earnings include service cost and prior service cost amortization for our principal pension plans as these costs represent expenses associated with employee service. Operating earnings exclude non-operating pension costs/income such as interest cost, expected return on plan assets and non-cash amortization of actuarial gains and losses. We expect operating pension costs for these plans will be about $1.4 billion in 2014. The expected decrease in operating pension costs is attributable primarily to the effects of higher discount rates and lower early retirement costs.
The GE Pension Plan was underfunded by $4.7 billion at the end of 2013 as compared to $13.3 billion at December 31, 2012. The GE Supplementary Pension Plan, which is an unfunded plan, had projected benefit obligations of $5.2 billion and $5.5 billion at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Our underfunding at year-end 2013 was significantly reduced as compared to 2012 as the effects of higher discount rates and higher investment returns (14.6% return in 2013) more than offset liability growth. Our principal pension plans discount rate increased from 3.96% at December 31, 2012 to 4.85% at December 31, 2013, which decreased the pension benefit obligation at year-end 2013 by approximately $6.8 billion. Our GE Pension Plan assets increased from $44.7 billion at the end of 2012 to $48.3 billion at December 31, 2013, primarily driven by higher investment returns that were partially offset by benefit payments made during the year. 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 July 6, 2012, the U.S. government enacted the “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act”, which contained provisions that changed the interest rate methodology used to calculate Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) minimum pension funding requirements in the U.S. This change reduced our near-term annual cash funding requirements for the GE Pension Plan. We contributed $0.4 billion to the GE Pension Plan in 2012. We did not contribute to the GE Pension Plan in 2013.
On an ERISA basis, our preliminary estimate is that the GE Pension Plan was approximately 97% funded at January 1, 2014. We will contribute approximately $0.5 billion to the GE Pension Plan in 2014. Our current estimate of the projected 2015 GE Pension Plan required contribution is approximately $2.4 billion.
At December 31, 2013, the fair value of assets for our other pension plans was $2.5 billion less than the respective projected benefit obligations. The comparable amount at December 31, 2012, was $3.9 billion. This decrease was primarily attributable to higher discount rates and higher investment returns. We expect to contribute $0.8 billion to our other pension plans in 2014, as compared to $0.7 billion in both 2013 and 2012.
The unfunded liability for our principal retiree health and life plans was $9.0 billion and $10.9 billion at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. This decrease was primarily attributable to the effects of higher discount rates (retiree health and life plans discount rate increased from 3.74% at December 31, 2012 to 4.61% at December 31, 2013) and lower costs from new healthcare supplier contracts. We fund our retiree health benefits on a pay-as-you-go basis. We expect to contribute $0.5 billion to these plans in 2014 compared with actual contributions of $0.5 billion in both 2013 and 2012.
The funded status of our postretirement benefits plans and future effects on operating results depend on economic conditions and investment performance. For additional information about funded status, components of earnings effects and actuarial assumptions, see Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K Report.
Other costs and expenses are primarily selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A). GE’s costs were 15.9%, 17.5% and 18.5% of total sales in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The 2013 decrease was primarily driven by the effects of global cost reduction initiatives both in the industrial segments and corporate as a result of our simplification efforts, partially offset by increased acquisition-related costs and higher restructuring. The 2012 decrease was driven by increased sales and the effects of global cost reduction initiatives, partially offset by increased acquisition-related costs at GE.
Interest on borrowings and other financial charges amounted to $10.1 billion, $12.4 billion and $14.4 billion in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Substantially all of our borrowings are in financial services, where interest expense was $9.3 billion, $11.6 billion and $13.8 billion in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. GECC average borrowings declined from 2012 to 2013 and from 2011 to 2012, in line with changes in average GECC assets. Interest rates have decreased over the three-year period primarily attributable to declining global benchmark interest rates. GECC average borrowings were $379.5 billion, $420.0 billion and $450.5 billion in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The GECC average composite effective interest rate was 2.4% in 2013, 2.8% in 2012 and 3.1% in 2011. In 2013, GECC average assets of $522.7 billion were 7% lower than in 2012, which in turn were 5% lower than in 2011. See the Liquidity and Borrowings section in this Item 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 rates are also affected by tax incentives introduced in the U.S. and other countries to encourage and support certain types of activity. Our tax returns are routinely audited and settlements of issues raised in these audits sometimes affect our tax provisions.
GE and GECC file a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return. This enables GE to use GECC tax deductions and credits to reduce the tax that otherwise would have been payable by GE.
Income taxes on consolidated earnings from continuing operations were 4.2% in 2013 compared with 14.6% in 2012 and 28.5% in 2011.
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. There is a benefit from global operations as non-U.S. income is subject to local country tax rates that are significantly below the 35% U.S. statutory rate. These non-U.S. earnings have been indefinitely reinvested outside the U.S. and are not subject to current U.S. income tax. The rate of tax on our indefinitely reinvested non-U.S. earnings is below the 35% U.S. statutory rate because we have significant business operations subject to tax in countries where the tax on that income is lower than the U.S. statutory rate and because GE funds the majority of its non-U.S. operations through foreign companies that are subject to low foreign taxes.
We expect our ability to benefit from non-U.S. income taxed at less than the U.S. rate to continue, subject to changes in U.S. or foreign law, including the expiration of the U.S. tax law provision deferring tax on active financial services income, as discussed in Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K Report. In addition, since this benefit depends on management’s intention to indefinitely reinvest amounts outside the U.S., our tax provision will increase to the extent we no longer indefinitely reinvest foreign earnings.
Our benefits from lower-taxed global operations increased to $4.0 billion in 2013 from $2.2 billion in 2012 principally because of the realization of benefits related to the sale of 68.5% of our Swiss consumer finance bank, Cembra Money Bank AG (Cembra), through an initial public offering (IPO), the realization of benefits for prior-year losses, and the resolution of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) audits. Our benefits from lower-taxed global operations increased to $2.2 billion in 2012 from $2.1 billion in 2011, principally because of the realization of benefits for prior-year losses and a decrease in current-year losses for which there was not a full tax benefit.
The benefit from lower-taxed global operations included $0.4 billion, $0.1 billion and $0.1 billion in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, due to audit resolutions. Our benefit from lower-taxed global operations included the effect of the lower foreign tax rate on our indefinitely reinvested non-U.S. earnings, which provided a tax benefit of $2.5 billion, $1.3 billion and $1.5 billion in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Included in 2013 is a benefit from the indefinite investment of the eligible earnings from the sale of a portion of Cembra. The tax benefit from non-U.S. income taxed at a local country rather than the U.S. statutory tax rate is reported in the effective tax rate reconciliation in the caption “Tax on global earnings including exports” in Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K Report. To the extent global interest rates and non-U.S. operating income increase, we would expect tax benefits to increase, subject to management’s intention to indefinitely reinvest those earnings.
The decrease in the consolidated effective tax rate from 2012 to 2013 was primarily attributable to an increase in tax benefits on lower-taxed global operations, including the tax benefit on the sale of a portion of Cembra. The effective tax rate was also lower due to favorable resolution of audit matters and lower income taxed at rates above the average tax rate, partially offset by the absence of the 2012 benefit attributable to the high tax basis in the entity sold in the Business Property disposition.
The decrease in the consolidated effective tax rate from 2011 to 2012 was due, in significant part, to the high effective tax rate in 2011 on the pre-tax gain on the NBC Universal (NBCU) transaction with Comcast Corporation (Comcast) discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplemental Data” of this Form 10-K Report. This gain increased the 2011 consolidated effective tax rate by 12.9 percentage points. The effective tax rate was also lower due to the benefit of the high tax basis in the entity sold in the Business Properties disposition.
Cash income taxes paid in 2013 were $2.5 billion, reflecting the effects of changes to temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities and their tax bases and the timing of tax payments to governments.
On January 2, 2013, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 was enacted and the law extended several provisions, including a two-year extension of the U.S. tax provision deferring tax on active financial services income and certain U.S. business credits, retroactive to January 1, 2012. Under accounting rules, a tax law change is taken into account in calculating the income tax provision in the period enacted. Because the extension was enacted into law in 2013, tax expense in 2013 reflected retroactive extension of the previously expired provisions.
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 GECC and a separate analysis of each is presented in the paragraphs that follow.
We believe that the GE effective tax rate is best analyzed in relation to GE earnings before income taxes excluding the GECC net earnings from continuing operations, as GE tax expense does not include taxes on GECC earnings. GE pre-tax earnings from continuing operations, excluding GECC earnings from continuing operations, were $8.8 billion, $9.5 billion and $12.6 billion for 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The decrease in earnings from 2011 to 2012 reflects the non-repeat of the pre-tax gain on sale of NBCU and higher loss amortization related to our principal pension plans. On this basis, GE’s effective tax rate was 18.9% in 2013, 21.3% in 2012 and 38.3% in 2011.
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 GECC earnings
|
|
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
|
2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax on global activities including exports
|
|
(2.4)
|
%
|
|
(0.7)
|
%
|
|
(0.9)
|
%
|
U.S. business credits
|
|
(0.6)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(0.4)
|
|
All other – net
|
|
(1.0)
|
|
|
(0.9)
|
|
|
(0.7)
|
|
|
|
(4.0)
|
%
|
|
(1.6)
|
%
|
|
(2.0)
|
%
|
The GE effective tax rate decreased from 2012 to 2013 primarily because of the benefit of audit resolutions shown above.
The GE effective tax rate decreased from 2011 to 2012 primarily because of the high effective tax rate in 2011 on the pre-tax gain on the NBCU transaction with Comcast reflecting the low tax basis in our investments in the NBCU business and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities related to our 49% investment in NBCUniversal LLC (NBCU LLC) (see Note 2). This gain increased the 2011 GE effective tax rate by 19.7 percentage points. Partially offsetting this decrease was an increase in the GE effective tax rate from 2011 to 2012 due to higher income taxed above the average rate and to the decrease in the benefit from audit resolutions shown above.
The GECC effective 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. There is a tax benefit from global operations as non-U.S. income is subject to local country tax rates that are significantly below the 35% U.S. statutory rate. These non-U.S. earnings have been indefinitely reinvested outside the U.S. and are not subject to current U.S. income tax. The rate of tax on our indefinitely reinvested non-U.S. earnings is below the 35% U.S. statutory rate because we have significant business operations subject to tax in countries where the tax on that income is lower than the U.S. statutory rate and because GECC funds the majority of its non-U.S. operations through foreign companies that are subject to low foreign taxes.
We expect our ability to benefit from non-U.S. income taxed at less than the U.S. rate to continue subject to changes of U.S. or foreign law, including the expiration of the U.S. tax law provision deferring tax on active financial services income, as discussed in Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K Report. In addition, since this benefit depends on management’s intention to indefinitely reinvest amounts outside the U.S., our tax provision will increase to the extent we no longer indefinitely reinvest foreign earnings.
As noted above, GE and GECC file a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return. This enables GE to use GECC tax deductions and credits to reduce the tax that otherwise would have been payable by GE. The GECC effective tax rate for each period reflects the benefit of these tax reductions in the consolidated return. GE makes cash payments to GECC for these tax reductions at the time GE’s tax payments are due.
The GECC effective tax rate was (13.6)% in 2013, compared with 6.6% in 2012. Comparing pre-tax income to a tax benefit resulted in a negative tax rate for 2013. The GECC tax expense decreased by $1.5 billion from an expense of $0.5 billion in 2012 to a benefit of $1.0 billion in 2013. The lower 2013 tax expense is attributable to increased benefits from low-taxed global operations ($1.7 billion), including the significant tax benefit related to the sale of a portion of Cembra ($1.0 billion), and the 2013 tax benefits related to the extension of the U.S. tax provision deferring tax on active financial services income ($0.3 billion). Also lowering the expense is the benefit from the resolution of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) audit of the 2008-2009 tax years and items for other years ($0.1 billion), which is reported partially in the caption “Tax on global activities including exports” and partially in the caption “All other-net” in the effective tax rate reconciliation 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 items lowering the expense are partially offset by the absence of the 2012 benefit attributable to the high tax basis in the entity sold in the Business Property disposition ($0.3 billion).
The GECC effective tax rate was 6.6% in 2012, compared with 12.1% in 2011. The GECC tax expense of $0.5 billion in 2012 decreased by $0.4 billion from $0.9 billion in 2011. The lower 2012 tax expense resulted principally from the benefit attributable to the high-tax basis in the entity sold in the Business Property disposition ($0.3 billion), increased benefits from low-taxed global operations ($0.2 billion) and the absence of the 2011 high-taxed disposition of Garanti Bank ($0.1 billion). Partially offsetting the decrease in tax expense was the absence in 2012 of the 2011 benefit from resolution of the 2006-2007 Internal Revenue Service (IRS) audit ($0.2 billion), which is reported in the caption “All other-net” in the effective tax rate reconciliation in Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K Report, and from higher pre-tax income of $0.3 billion that increased the tax expense ($0.1 billion).
Global Risk Management
A disciplined approach to risk is important in a diversified organization like 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 aggregated risk at the customer, industry, geographic and collateral-type levels, where appropriate.
Risk assessment and risk management are the responsibility of management and are carried out through risk managers who are operationally integrated into each of our businesses. These risk managers have acquired deep domain expertise through their long careers and proximity to the business’ operations and core processes. Both risk managers and the business leadership teams have specific, risk-focused goals and objectives that are aligned with our overall risk framework.
The GE Board of Directors (Board) has oversight for risk management with a focus on the most significant risks facing the Company, including strategic, operational, financial and legal and compliance risks. 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, operational and reputational 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, GE and GECC Chief Risk Officers (CROs), general counsel and other employees. The Board has delegated responsibility for the oversight of specific risks to Board committees as follows:
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The GE Risk Committee oversees risks related to GE Capital and jointly meets throughout the year with the GECC Board of Directors (GECC Board), which is in addition to an annual joint meeting of the GE and GECC Boards. The GE Risk Committee also oversees the Company's four to five most critical enterprise risks and how management is mitigating these risks.
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The Audit Committee oversees GE’s and GE Capital’s policies and processes relating to the financial statements, the financial reporting process, compliance and auditing. The Audit Committee, in coordination with the GE Risk Committee, discusses with management the Company’s risk assessment and risk management practices and, when reviewing and approving the annual audit plan for the internal audit functions, prioritizes audit focus areas based on their potential risk to the Company. The Audit Committee also monitors ongoing compliance issues and matters, and also semi-annually conducts an assessment of compliance issues and programs. The Audit Committee jointly meets with the GECC Board once a year, which is in addition to an annual joint meeting of the GE Risk Committee and Audit Committee.
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The Management Development and Compensation Committee oversees the risk management associated with management resources, structure, succession planning, management development and selection processes, and includes separate reviews of incentive compensation arrangements at GE and GE Capital to confirm that incentive pay does not encourage unnecessary and excessive risk taking and to review and discuss, at least annually, the relationship between risk management policies and practices, corporate strategy and senior executive compensation. The Management Development and Compensation Committee also incentivizes leaders to improve the Company's competitive position.
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The Governance and Public Affairs Committee oversees risk related to the Company’s governance structure and processes and risks arising from related-person transactions, reviews and discusses with management risks related to GE’s public policy initiatives and activities, and monitors the Company’s environmental, health and safety compliance and related risks.
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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; code of conduct compliance under the Company’s The Spirit & The Letter; regulatory compliance; health, safety and environmental compliance; financial reporting and controllership; and information technology and security. A vice-chairman of GE and GE’s CRO are responsible for overseeing and coordinating risk assessment and mitigation on an enterprise-wide basis. They lead the Corporate Risk Function and are responsible for the identification of key business risks, providing for appropriate management of these risks within GE Board guidelines, and enforcement through policies and procedures. In 2013, the Company combined its risk evaluation process with its quarterly operating reviews to simplify the Company’s operating rhythm and added a vice chairman position with responsibility for both enterprise risk and operations. The Policy Compliance Review Board is a management-level committee that further assists in assessing and mitigating risk. The Policy Compliance Review Board, which conducted four compliance operating reviews and met seven times in 2013, 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.
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 operates at the business and functional levels and 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.
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Operational. Operational risk relates to risks (systems, processes, people and external events) that affect the operation of our businesses. It includes product life cycle and execution; product safety and performance; information management and data protection and security, including cyber security; business disruption; human resources; and reputation.
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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 rates and interest rates and commodity prices. Liquidity risk refers to the potential inability to meet contractual or contingent financial obligations (whether on- or off-balance sheet) as they arise, and could potentially impact an institution’s financial condition or overall safety and soundness. 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 GE Capital investing, lending and leasing activities and derivative financial instruments activities.
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Legal and Compliance. Legal and compliance risk relates to risks arising from the government and regulatory environment and action, compliance with integrity policies and procedures, including those relating to financial reporting, environmental health and safety, and intellectual property risks. Government and regulatory risk includes the risk that the government or regulatory actions will impose additional cost on us or cause us to have to change our business models or practices.
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Risks identified through our risk management processes are prioritized and, depending on the probability and severity of the risk, escalated to the CRO. These risks are discussed and responsibility for them is assigned to the business or functional leader most suited to manage the risk in connection with the quarterly operating reviews. Assigned owners are required to continually monitor, evaluate and report on risks for which they bear responsibility. Enterprise risk leaders within each business and corporate function are responsible to present to the CRO risk assessments and key risks at least annually. 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 general guidelines.
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 delegation of authorities, standardized processes and strategic planning reviews, operating reviews, insurance, and hedging. 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 some risks by purchasing insurance, the amount of which is determined by balancing the level of risk retained or assumed with the cost of transferring risk to others. We manage 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, acquisitions and dispositions.
GE Capital Risk Management and Oversight
GE Capital acknowledges risk-taking as a fundamental characteristic of providing financial services. It is inherent to its business and arises in lending, leasing and investment transactions undertaken by GE Capital. GE Capital operates within the parameters of its established risk appetite in pursuit of its strategic goals and objectives.
GE Capital continues to enhance its risk infrastructure and processes to manage risks related to its businesses, and the GE Corporate Risk Function relies upon them in fulfilling its mission.
The GE Risk Committee oversees GE Capital’s risk appetite, risk assessment and management processes. The GE Risk Committee and the GECC Board oversee the GE Capital risk management framework, with the GECC Board approving all significant acquisitions and dispositions as well as significant borrowings and investments. The GE Risk Committee and the GECC Board exercise oversight of investment activities in the business units through delegations of authority. All participants in the GE Capital risk management process must comply with approval limits established by the GE Risk Committee and the GECC Board.
The Enterprise Risk Management Committee (ERMC), which comprises the most senior leaders in GE Capital as well as the GE CRO, oversees the implementation of GE Capital’s risk appetite, and senior management’s establishment of appropriate systems (including policies, procedures, and management committees) to ensure enterprise risks are effectively identified, measured, monitored, and controlled. The ERMC has delegated management of specific risks to various sub-committees, including the Operational Risk Management Committee, Asset-Liability Committee, Capital Planning Committee and Asset Quality Committee. Day-to-day risk oversight for GE Capital is provided by an independent global risk management organization that includes the GE Capital corporate function in addition to independent risk officers embedded in the individual business units.
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. The senior risk officers have, on average, over 30 years of experience.
GE Capital manages all risks relevant to its business environment, which if materialized, could prevent GE Capital from achieving its risk objectives and/or result in losses. These risks are defined as GE Capital’s Enterprise Risk Universe, which includes the following risks: strategic, liquidity, credit and investment, market and operational (including financial, compliance, information technology, human resources and legal). Reputational risk is considered and managed across each of the categories. GE Capital continues to make significant investments in resources to enhance its evolving risk management infrastructure.
GE Capital’s Corporate Risk function, in consultation with the ERMC, updates the Enterprise Risk Appetite Statement annually. This document articulates the enterprise risk objectives, its key universe of risks and the supporting limit structure. GE Capital’s risk appetite is determined relative to its desired risk objectives, including, but not limited to, credit ratings, capital levels, liquidity management, regulatory assessments, earnings, dividends and compliance. GE Capital determines its risk appetite through consideration of portfolio analytics, including stress testing and economic capital measurement, experience and judgment of senior risk officers, current portfolio levels, strategic planning, and regulatory and rating agency expectations.
The Enterprise Risk Appetite Statement is presented to the GECC Board and the GE Risk Committee for review and approval at least annually. On a quarterly basis, the status of GE Capital’s performance against these limits is reviewed by the GE Risk Committee.
GE Capital monitors its capital adequacy including through economic capital, regulatory capital and enterprise stress testing methodologies. GE Capital’s economic capital methodology uses internal models to estimate potential unexpected losses across different portfolios with a confidence level equivalent to an AA agency rating. Although GE Capital is not currently subject to risk-based capital standards, GE Capital estimates capital adequacy based on the Basel 1 U.S. and Basel 3 International and U.S. frameworks. GE Capital uses stress testing for risk, liquidity and capital adequacy assessment and management purposes, and as an integral part of GE Capital’s overall planning processes. Stress testing results inform key strategic portfolio decisions such as the amount of capital required to maintain minimum expected regulatory capital levels in severe but plausible stresses, capital allocation, assist in developing the risk appetite and limits, and help in assessing product specific risk to guide the development and modification of product structures. The GE Risk Committee and the GECC Board review stress test results and their expected impact on capital levels and metrics. The GE Risk Committee and the GECC Board are responsible for overseeing the overall capital adequacy process, as well as approving GE Capital’s annual capital plan and capital actions.
Key risk management policies are approved by the GECC Board and the GE Risk Committee at least annually. GE Capital senior management, in coordination with the GE CRO, meets with the GE Risk Committee throughout the year. At these meetings, GE Capital senior management focuses on the risk issues, strategy and governance of the business.
Operational risks are inherent in GE Capital’s business activities and are typical of any large enterprise. GE Capital’s operational risk management program seeks to effectively manage operational risk to reduce the potential for significant unexpected losses, and to minimize the impact of losses experienced in the normal course of business. Additional information about our liquidity and how we manage this risk can be found in the Financial Resources and Liquidity section. Additional information about our credit risk and our portfolio can be found in the Financial Resources and Liquidity and Critical Accounting Estimates sections. Additional information about our market risk and how we manage this risk can be found in the Financial Resources and Liquidity section.
Segment Operations
Our eight segments are focused on the broad markets they serve: Power & Water, Oil & Gas, Energy Management, Aviation, Healthcare, Transportation, Appliances & Lighting and GE Capital. In addition to providing information on segments in their entirety, we have also provided supplemental information about the businesses within GE Capital.
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; acquisition costs and other related charges; 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. See Corporate Items and Eliminations for certain amounts not allocated to GE operating segments because they are excluded from measurement of their operating performance for external purposes.
Segment profit excludes results reported as discontinued operations, earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests of consolidated subsidiaries, GECC preferred stock dividends declared 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. These costs are excluded in determining segment profit, which we sometimes refer to as “operating profit,” for Power & Water, Oil & Gas, Energy Management, Aviation, Healthcare, Transportation, and Appliances & Lighting and are included in determining segment profit, which we sometimes refer to as “net earnings,” for GE Capital. Certain corporate costs, such as shared services, employee benefits and information technology, are allocated to our segments based on usage. A portion of the remaining corporate costs is allocated based on each segment’s relative net cost of operations. Prior to January 1, 2011, segment profit excluded the effects of principal pension plans. Beginning January 1, 2011, we began allocating service costs related to our principal pension plans and no longer allocate the retiree costs of our postretirement healthcare benefits to our segments. This revised allocation methodology better aligns segment operating costs to the active employee costs, which are managed by the segments. This change does not significantly affect reported segment results.
Results of our formerly consolidated subsidiary, NBCU, and our equity method investment in NBCU LLC until we sold it in the first quarter of 2013, are reported in the Corporate items and eliminations line on the Summary of Operating Segments.
We have reclassified certain prior-period amounts to conform to the current-period presentation. For additional information about our segments, see Part I, Item 1. “Business” 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
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General Electric Company and consolidated affiliates
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(In millions)
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|
2013
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2012
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2011
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2010
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2009
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|
|
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Revenues(a)
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|
|
|
|
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Power & Water
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$
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24,724
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|
$
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28,299
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|
$
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25,675
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|
$
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24,779
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|
$
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27,389
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Oil & Gas
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|
16,975
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|
|
15,241
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|
|
13,608
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|
|
9,433
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|
|
9,683
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Energy Management
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|
7,569
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7,412
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6,422
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5,161
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5,223
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Aviation
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21,911
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19,994
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18,859
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17,619
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|
|
18,728
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Healthcare
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|
18,200
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|
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18,290
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18,083
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16,897
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16,015
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Transportation
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5,885
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5,608
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4,885
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3,370
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3,827
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Appliances & Lighting
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8,338
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7,967
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7,693
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7,957
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|
|
7,816
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Total industrial segment revenues
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103,602
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102,811
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|
|
95,225
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85,216
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88,681
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GE Capital
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44,067
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45,364
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|
|
48,324
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|
|
49,163
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|
|
51,065
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Total segment revenues
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|
147,669
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|
|
148,175
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|
|
143,549
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|
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134,379
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139,746
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Corporate items and eliminations(b)
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(1,624)
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(1,491)
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2,993
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14,496
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|
|
13,940
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Consolidated revenues
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$
|
146,045
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$
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146,684
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|
$
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146,542
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|
$
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148,875
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|
$
|
153,686
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Segment profit
|
|
|
|
|
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Power & Water
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$
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4,992
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|
$
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5,422
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$
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5,021
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$
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5,804
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|
$
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5,592
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Oil & Gas
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|
2,178
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|
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1,924
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|
|
1,660
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|
|
1,406
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|
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1,440
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Energy Management
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110
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|
|
131
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|
|
78
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|
|
156
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|
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144
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Aviation
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4,345
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|
|
3,747
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|
|
3,512
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3,304
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|
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3,923
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Healthcare
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|
3,048
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2,920
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2,803
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|
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2,741
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|
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2,420
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Transportation
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|
1,166
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|
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1,031
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|
|
757
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|
|
315
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|
|
473
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Appliances & Lighting
|
|
381
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|
|
311
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|
|
237
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|
|
404
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|
|
360
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Total industrial segment profit
|
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16,220
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|
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15,486
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|
|
14,068
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|
14,130
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14,352
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GE Capital
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|
8,258
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7,345
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|
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6,480
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|
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3,083
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|
|
1,364
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Total segment profit
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|
24,478
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|
|
22,831
|
|
|
20,548
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|
|
17,213
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15,716
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Corporate items and eliminations(b)
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(6,300)
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(4,841)
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|
|
(288)
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|
|
(1,012)
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|
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(506)
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GE interest and other financial
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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charges
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(1,333)
|
|
|
(1,353)
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|
|
(1,299)
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|
|
(1,600)
|
|
|
(1,478)
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GE provision for income taxes
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|
(1,668)
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|
|
(2,013)
|
|
|
(4,839)
|
|
|
(2,024)
|
|
|
(2,739)
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Earnings from continuing operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
attributable to the company
|
|
15,177
|
|
|
14,624
|
|
|
14,122
|
|
|
12,577
|
|
|
10,993
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Earnings (loss) from discontinued
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
operations, net of taxes
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|
(2,120)
|
|
|
(983)
|
|
|
29
|
|
|
(933)
|
|
|
32
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Consolidated net earnings
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
attributable to the Company
|
$
|
13,057
|
|
$
|
13,641
|
|
$
|
14,151
|
|
$
|
11,644
|
|
$
|
11,025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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(a)
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Segment revenues includes both revenues and other income related to the segment.
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(b)
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Includes the results of NBCU, our formerly consolidated subsidiary, and our former equity method investment in NBCUniversal LLC until we sold it in the first quarter of 2013.
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See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K Report.
Power & Water revenues of $24.7 billion decreased $3.6 billion, or 13%, in 2013 as lower volume ($3.9 billion), primarily equipment at Wind and Thermal, and the effects of the stronger U.S. dollar ($0.1 billion) were partially offset by higher prices ($0.2 billion) and other income ($0.2 billion) primarily related to a sale of assets.
Segment profit of $5.0 billion decreased $0.4 billion, or 8%, in 2013 as lower volume ($0.7 billion) and lower cost productivity ($0.3 billion), despite SG&A cost reductions, were partially offset by the effects of deflation ($0.2 billion), higher prices ($0.2 billion) and other income ($0.2 billion) primarily related to a sale of assets.
Power & Water revenues of $28.3 billion increased $2.6 billion, or 10%, in 2012 as higher volume ($3.4 billion), driven by an increase in sales of equipment at Wind, and an increase in other income ($0.2 billion) were partially offset by the effects of the stronger U.S. dollar ($0.6 billion) and lower prices ($0.4 billion).
Segment profit of $5.4 billion increased $0.4 billion, or 8%, in 2012 as higher volume ($0.7 billion), increased other income ($0.2 billion) and the impacts of deflation ($0.1 billion) were partially offset by lower prices ($0.4 billion), lower productivity ($0.1 billion) and the effects of the stronger U.S. dollar ($0.1 billion).
Power & Water orders increased 13% to $27.4 billion in 2013. Total Power & Water backlog increased 10% to $64.6 billion at December 31, 2013, composed of equipment backlog of $11.4 billion and services backlog of $53.2 billion. Comparable December 31, 2012 equipment and service order backlogs were $8.6 billion and $50.2 billion, respectively.
Oil & Gas revenues of $17.0 billion increased $1.7 billion (including $0.7 billion from acquisitions), or 11%, in 2013 primarily due to higher volume ($1.5 billion) and higher prices ($0.2 billion).
Segment profit of $2.2 billion increased $0.3 billion, or 13%, in 2013 as higher volume ($0.2 billion) and higher prices ($0.2 billion) were partially offset by lower cost productivity ($0.1 billion).
Oil & Gas revenues of $15.2 billion increased $1.6 billion (including $0.7 billion from acquisitions), or 12%, in 2012 as higher volume ($2.3 billion) driven by acquisitions and an increase in sales of both equipment and services was partially offset by the effects of the stronger U.S. dollar ($0.7 billion).
Segment profit of $1.9 billion increased $0.3 billion, or 16%, in 2012 as higher volume ($0.3 billion) and increased productivity ($0.1 billion), reflecting increased equipment margins, were partially offset by the effects of the stronger U.S. dollar ($0.1 billion).
Oil & Gas orders increased 8% to $19.7 billion in 2013. Total Oil & Gas backlog increased 27% to $18.8 billion at December 31, 2013, composed of equipment backlog of $13.0 billion and services backlog of $5.8 billion. Comparable December 31, 2012 equipment and service order backlogs were $10.2 billion and $4.5 billion, respectively.
Energy Management revenues of $7.6 billion increased $0.2 billion, or 2%, in 2013 as higher volume ($0.2 billion) was partially offset by the effects of the stronger U.S. dollar ($0.1 billion).
Segment profit of $0.1 billion decreased 16% in 2013 as a result of lower productivity ($0.1 billion).
Energy Management revenues of $7.4 billion increased $1.0 billion (including $1.0 billion from acquisitions), or 15%, in 2012 as higher volume ($1.1 billion), primarily driven by acquisitions, higher prices ($0.1 billion) and increased other income ($0.1 billion) were partially offset by the effects of the stronger U.S. dollar ($0.2 billion).
Segment profit of $0.1 billion increased $0.1 billion, or 68%, in 2012 as a result of higher prices ($0.1 billion) and increased other income ($0.1 billion).
Energy Management orders increased 12% to $8.8 billion in 2013. Total Energy Management backlog increased 20% to $4.6 billion at December 31, 2013, composed of equipment backlog of $3.6 billion and services backlog of $1.0 billion. Comparable December 31, 2012 equipment and service order backlogs were $3.2 billion and $0.6 billion, respectively.
Aviation revenues of $21.9 billion increased $1.9 billion (including $0.5 billion from acquisitions), or 10%, in 2013 due primarily to higher volume ($1.4 billion) and higher prices ($0.6 billion). Higher volume and higher prices were driven by increased services revenues ($0.7 billion) and equipment ($1.2 billion). The increase in services revenue was primarily due to higher commercial spares sales, while the increase in equipment revenue was primarily due to increased commercial engine shipments.
Segment profit of $4.3 billion increased $0.6 billion, or 16%, in 2013 as higher prices ($0.6 billion), higher volume ($0.2 billion) and increased other income ($0.1 billion) were partially offset by the effects of inflation ($0.2 billion) and lower productivity ($0.1 billion).
Aviation revenues of $20.0 billion increased $1.1 billion, or 6%, in 2012 due primarily to higher prices ($0.8 billion) and higher volume ($0.4 billion), which were driven by increased commercial and military engine sales.
Segment profit of $3.7 billion increased $0.2 billion, or 7%, in 2012 as higher prices ($0.8 billion) and higher volume ($0.1 billion) were partially offset by higher inflation ($0.3 billion) and lower productivity ($0.3 billion).
Aviation orders increased 16% to $27.2 billion in 2013. Total Aviation backlog increased 22% to $125.1 billion at December 31, 2013, composed of equipment backlog of $28.4 billion and services backlog of $96.7 billion. Comparable December 31, 2012 equipment and service order backlogs were $22.9 billion and $79.5 billion, respectively.
Healthcare revenues of $18.2 billion decreased $0.1 billion in 2013. Revenues decreased as lower prices ($0.3 billion), the effects of the stronger U.S. dollar ($0.2 billion) and lower other income were partially offset by higher volume ($0.5 billion).
Segment profit of $3.0 billion increased $0.1 billion, or 4%, in 2013 as higher productivity ($0.6 billion), driven by SG&A cost reductions, and higher volume ($0.1 billion) were partially offset by lower prices ($0.3 billion), the effects of inflation ($0.2 billion), the stronger U.S. dollar ($0.1 billion) and lower other income.
Healthcare revenues of $18.3 billion increased $0.2 billion, or 1%, in 2012 as higher volume ($0.8 billion) and other income ($0.1 billion) were partially offset by the stronger U.S. dollar ($0.4 billion) and lower prices ($0.3 billion). The revenue increase, driven by higher equipment sales, is attributable to international markets, with the strongest growth in emerging markets.
Segment profit of $2.9 billion increased $0.1 billion, or 4%, in 2012 as increased productivity ($0.4 billion), higher volume ($0.1 billion) and other income ($0.1 billion) were partially offset by lower prices ($0.3 billion) and higher inflation ($0.2 billion), primarily non-material related.
Healthcare orders increased 1% to $19.2 billion in 2013. Total Healthcare backlog increased 5% to $16.1 billion at December 31, 2013, composed of equipment backlog of $5.0 billion and services backlog of $11.1 billion. Comparable December 31, 2012 equipment and service order backlogs were $4.5 billion and $10.9 billion, respectively.
Transportation revenues of $5.9 billion increased $0.3 billion, or 5%, in 2013 due to higher volume ($0.3 billion) primarily from acquisitions.
Segment profit of $1.2 billion increased $0.1 billion, or 13%, in 2013 as a result of effects of material deflation ($0.1 billion) and higher volume and productivity.
Transportation revenues of $5.6 billion increased $0.7 billion, or 15%, in 2012 due to higher volume ($0.6 billion) and higher prices ($0.1 billion). The revenue increase was split between equipment sales ($0.4 billion) and services ($0.3 billion). The increase in equipment revenue was primarily driven by an increase in U.S. locomotive sales and growth in our global mining equipment business. The increase in service revenue was due to higher overhauls and increased service productivity.
Segment profit of $1.0 billion increased $0.3 billion, or 36%, in 2012 as a result of higher volume ($0.1 billion), higher prices ($0.1 billion) and increased productivity ($0.1 billion), reflecting improved service margins.
Transportation orders decreased 8% to $5.1 billion in 2013. Total Transportation backlog increased 3% to $14.9 billion at December 31, 2013, composed of equipment backlog of $2.5 billion and services backlog of $12.4 billion. Comparable December 31, 2012 equipment and service order backlogs were $3.3 billion and $11.1 billion, respectively.
Appliances & Lighting revenues of $8.3 billion increased $0.4 billion, or 5%, in 2013 reflecting higher volume ($0.4 billion), primarily at Appliances.
Segment profit of $0.4 billion increased 23%, or $0.1 billion, in 2013 primarily due to improved productivity ($0.1 billion) and higher prices.
Appliances & Lighting revenues of $8.0 billion increased $0.3 billion, or 4%, in 2012 reflecting an increase at Appliances, partially offset by lower revenues at Lighting. Overall, revenues increased as higher prices ($0.3 billion) principally at Appliances were partially offset by lower volume ($0.1 billion).
Segment profit of $0.3 billion increased 31%, or $0.1 billion, in 2012 as higher prices ($0.3 billion) were partially offset by the effects of inflation ($0.2 billion) and lower productivity ($0.1 billion).
GE Capital
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In millions)
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
$
|
44,067
|
|
$
|
45,364
|
|
$
|
48,324
|
Segment profit
|
$
|
8,258
|
|
$
|
7,345
|
|
$
|
6,480
|
December 31 (In millions)
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$ |
516,829 |
|
|
$ |
539,351 |
|
(In millions)
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commercial Lending and Leasing (CLL)
|
$
|
14,316
|
|
$
|
16,458
|
|
$
|
17,714
|
Consumer
|
|
15,741
|
|
|
15,303
|
|
|
16,487
|
Real Estate
|
|
3,915
|
|
|
3,654
|
|
|
3,712
|
Energy Financial Services
|
|
1,526
|
|
|
1,508
|
|
|
1,223
|
GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS)
|
|
5,346
|
|
|
5,294
|
|
|
5,262
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment profit (loss)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CLL
|
$
|
1,965
|
|
$
|
2,401
|
|
$
|
2,703
|
Consumer
|
|
4,319
|
|
|
3,207
|
|
|
3,616
|
Real Estate
|
|
1,717
|
|
|
803
|
|
|
(928)
|
Energy Financial Services
|
|
410
|
|
|
432
|
|
|
440
|
GECAS
|
|
896
|
|
|
1,220
|
|
|
1,150
|
December 31 (In millions)
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
CLL
|
$
|
174,357
|
|
$
|
181,375
|
Consumer
|
|
132,236
|
|
|
138,002
|
Real Estate
|
|
38,744
|
|
|
46,247
|
Energy Financial Services
|
|
16,203
|
|
|
19,185
|
GECAS
|
|
45,876
|
|
|
49,420
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GE Capital 2013 revenues decreased 3% and net earnings increased 12% compared with 2012. Revenues for 2013 included $0.1 billion from acquisitions and $0.1 billion as a result of dispositions. Additionally, revenues decreased as a result of organic revenue declines, primarily due to lower ENI, and higher impairments, partially offset by higher gains. Net earnings increased as a result of dispositions, primarily related to the sale of a portion of Cembra through an IPO and higher gains primarily related to the sale of our remaining equity interest in Bank of Ayudhya (Bay Bank), partially offset by higher impairments and higher provisions for losses on financing receivables. GE Capital net earnings in 2013 also included restructuring, rationalization and other charges of $0.2 billion and net losses of $0.1 billion related to our Treasury operations. GE Capital net earnings excluded $0.3 billion of preferred stock dividends declared in 2013.
GE Capital 2012 revenues decreased 6% and net earnings increased 13% compared with 2011. Revenues for 2012 included $0.1 billion from acquisitions and were reduced by $0.6 billion as a result of dispositions. Revenues in 2012 also decreased as a result of organic revenue declines, primarily due to lower ENI, the stronger U.S. dollar, and the absence of the 2011 gain on sale of a substantial portion of our Garanti Bank equity investment (the Garanti Bank transaction). Net earnings increased by $0.9 billion in 2012, primarily due to lower impairments and core increases, including higher tax benefits, partially offset by the absence of the 2011 gain on the Garanti Bank transaction and operations. GE Capital net earnings in 2012 also included restructuring, rationalization and other charges of $0.1 billion and net losses of $0.2 billion related to our Treasury operations. GE Capital net earnings excluded $0.1 billion of preferred stock dividends declared in 2012.
Additional information about certain GE Capital businesses follows.
CLL 2013 revenues decreased 13% and net earnings decreased 18% compared with 2012. Revenues for 2013 were reduced by $0.1 billion as a result of dispositions. Revenues in 2013 also decreased as a result of organic revenue declines ($1.2 billion), primarily due to lower ENI ($0.8 billion), and higher impairments ($0.7 billion). Net earnings decreased reflecting higher impairments ($0.6 billion), partially offset by dispositions ($0.1 billion).
CLL 2012 revenues decreased 7% and net earnings decreased 11% compared with 2011. Revenues for 2012 were reduced by $0.4 billion as a result of dispositions. Revenues in 2012 also decreased as a result of organic revenue declines ($0.6 billion), primarily due to lower ENI ($0.5 billion), and the stronger U.S. dollar ($0.2 billion). Net earnings decreased reflecting core decreases ($0.2 billion) and dispositions ($0.1 billion).
Consumer 2013 revenues increased 3% and net earnings increased 35% compared with 2012. Revenues for 2013 included $0.1 billion from acquisitions and $0.3 billion as a result of dispositions. Revenues in 2013 also increased as a result of higher gains ($0.5 billion), partially offset by organic revenue declines ($0.4 billion). The increase in net earnings resulted primarily from the sale of a portion of Cembra ($1.2 billion), higher gains ($0.3 billion) related to the sale of Bay Bank and core increases ($0.1 billion). These increases were partially offset by higher provisions for losses on financing receivables ($0.5 billion) reflecting the use of a more granular portfolio segmentation approach, by loss type, in determining the incurred loss period and projected net write-offs over the next 12 months in our installment and revolving credit portfolios.
Consumer 2012 revenues decreased 7% and net earnings decreased 11% compared with 2011. Revenues for 2012 included $0.1 billion from acquisitions and were reduced by $0.1 billion as a result of dispositions. Revenues in 2012 also decreased as a result of the absence of the 2011 gain on the Garanti Bank transaction ($0.7 billion), the stronger U.S. dollar ($0.4 billion) and organic revenue declines ($0.2 billion). The decrease in net earnings resulted primarily from the absence of the 2011 gain on the Garanti Bank transaction and operations ($0.4 billion), higher provisions for losses on financing receivables ($0.1 billion) and dispositions ($0.1 billion), partially offset by core increases ($0.2 billion). The higher provisions for losses on financing receivables reflected the use of a more granular portfolio segmentation approach, by loss type, in determining the incurred loss period in our U.S. Installment and Revolving Credit portfolio.
Real Estate 2013 revenues increased 7% and net earnings were favorable compared with 2012. Revenues in 2013 increased primarily as a result of increases in net gains on property sales ($1.1 billion) mainly due to the sale of real estate comprising certain floors located at 30 Rockefeller Center, New York, partially offset by organic revenue declines ($0.7 billion), primarily due to lower ENI ($0.6 billion). Real Estate net earnings increased as a result of core increases ($0.9 billion) including increases in net gains on property sales ($0.7 billion) and higher tax benefits ($0.3 billion). Depreciation expense on real estate equity investments totaled $0.6 billion and $0.8 billion in 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Real Estate 2012 revenues decreased 2% and net earnings were favorable compared with 2011. Revenues in 2012 decreased as a result of organic revenue declines ($0.2 billion), primarily due to lower ENI, and the stronger U.S. dollar ($0.1 billion), partially offset by increases in net gains on property sales ($0.2 billion). Real Estate net earnings increased as a result of lower impairments ($0.7 billion), core increases ($0.7 billion) including higher tax benefits of $0.5 billion, lower provisions for losses on financing receivables ($0.2 billion) and increases in net gains on property sales ($0.1 billion). Depreciation expense on real estate equity investments totaled $0.8 billion and $0.9 billion in 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Energy Financial Services 2013 revenues increased 1% and net earnings decreased 5% compared with 2012. Revenues in 2013 increased as a result of dispositions ($0.1 billion) and organic revenue growth ($0.1 billion), partially offset by lower gains ($0.1 billion) and higher impairments. The decrease in net earnings resulted primarily from lower gains ($0.1 billion), partially offset by core increases and dispositions.
Energy Financial Services 2012 revenues increased 23% and net earnings decreased 2% compared with 2011. Revenues in 2012 increased primarily as a result of organic revenue growth ($0.3 billion), including the consolidation of an entity involved in power generating activities and asset sales by investees, and higher gains.
GECAS 2013 revenues increased 1% and net earnings decreased 27% compared with 2012. Revenues in 2013 increased as a result of lower finance lease impairments and higher gains. The decrease in net earnings resulted primarily from higher equipment leased to others (ELTO) impairments ($0.3 billion) related to our operating lease portfolio of commercial aircraft, and core decreases, partially offset by higher gains.
GECAS 2012 revenues increased 1% and net earnings increased 6% compared with 2011. Revenues in 2012 increased as a result of organic revenue growth ($0.2 billion) and higher gains, partially offset by higher impairments ($0.2 billion). The increase in net earnings resulted primarily from core increases ($0.1 billion) and higher gains, partially offset by higher impairments ($0.1 billion).
Corporate Items and Eliminations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In millions)
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NBCU/NBCU LLC
|
$
|
1,528
|
|
$
|
1,615
|
|
$
|
5,686
|
Gains (losses) on disposed or held for sale businesses
|
|
453
|
|
|
186
|
|
|
-
|
Eliminations and other
|
|
(3,605)
|
|
|
(3,292)
|
|
|
(2,693)
|
Total
|
$
|
(1,624)
|
|
$
|
(1,491)
|
|
$
|
2,993
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit (cost)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NBCU/NBCU LLC
|
$
|
1,528
|
|
$
|
1,615
|
|
$
|
4,535
|
Gains (losses) on disposed or held for sale businesses
|
|
447
|
|
|
186
|
|
|
-
|
Principal retirement plans(a)
|
|
(3,222)
|
|
|
(3,098)
|
|
|
(1,898)
|
Unallocated corporate and other costs
|
|
(5,053)
|
|
|
(3,544)
|
|
|
(2,925)
|
Total
|
$
|
(6,300)
|
|
$
|
(4,841)
|
|
$
|
(288)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
Included non-operating pension income (cost) for our principal pension plans (non-GAAP) of $(2.6) billion, $(2.1) billion and $(1.1) billion in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, which includes expected return on plan assets, interest costs and non-cash amortization of actuarial gains and losses.
|
Revenues in 2013 decreased $0.1 billion from 2012. This decrease was primarily a result of $0.1 billion lower income related to the operations and disposition of NBCU LLC, a $0.1 billion pre-tax loss related to the impairment of an investment in a Brazilian company and $0.2 billion of lower revenues related to a plant that was sold in 2012, partially offset by $0.3 billion of higher gains from disposed businesses. The higher gains from disposed businesses reflect the net effect of $0.5 billion of gains from industrial business dispositions in 2013 compared with a $0.3 billion gain on joint venture formation and a $0.1 billion loss on sale of a plant in 2012.
Operating costs in 2013 increased $1.5 billion from 2012. Costs increased primarily as a result of $1.3 billion of higher restructuring and other charges, $0.2 billion of higher GECC preferred stock dividends, $0.1 billion of higher principal retirement plan costs, $0.1 billion of lower NBCU related income and $0.1 billion of impairment referred to above, partially offset by $0.3 billion of higher gains on disposed businesses.
Revenues decreased $4.5 billion in 2012 as $4.1 billion of lower NBCU/NBCU LLC related revenues (primarily due to the non-repeat of the pre-tax gain on the NBCU transaction and the deconsolidation of NBCU in 2011, partially offset by higher earnings at NBCU LLC due to a gain on disposition in 2012) and $0.1 billion of pre-tax losses related to the sale of a plant in the U.K. were partially offset by $0.3 billion of gains on the formation of a joint venture at Aviation.
Operating costs in 2012 increased $4.6 billion from 2011. Costs increased primarily as a result of $2.9 billion of lower NBCU/NBCU LLC related earnings (primarily due to the non-repeat of the 2011 gain related to the NBCU transaction, partially offset by earnings at NBCU LLC due to a gain on disposition in 2012), $1.2 billion of higher costs of our principal retirement plans and $0.4 billion of higher research and development spending and global corporate costs, partially offset by $0.2 billion of lower restructuring and other charges.
Certain amounts included in corporate items and eliminations cost are not allocated to GE operating segments because they are excluded from the measurement of their operating performance for internal purposes. These costs include certain restructuring and other charges, technology and product development costs and acquisition-related costs. For 2013, these amounts totaled $2.4 billion, including Power & Water ($0.4 billion), Oil & Gas ($0.3 billion), Energy Management ($0.2 billion), Aviation ($0.6 billion), Healthcare ($0.6 billion), Transportation ($0.1 billion) and Appliances & Lighting ($0.2 billion). In 2013, Corporate items and eliminations also included $0.5 billion of gains from business disposition including Power & Water ($0.1 billion), Oil & Gas ($0.1 billion) and Healthcare ($0.2 billion).
For 2012, these amounts totaled $1.5 billion, including Power & Water ($0.2 billion), Oil & Gas ($0.1 billion), Energy Management ($0.2 billion), Aviation ($0.3 billion), Healthcare ($0.5 billion), Transportation ($0.1 billion) and Appliances & Lighting ($0.1 billion). In 2012, Corporate items and eliminations also included $0.3 billion of gains related to formation of a joint venture at Aviation.
For 2011, these amounts totaled $1.5 billion, including Power & Water ($0.2 billion), Oil & Gas ($0.3 billion), Energy Management ($0.2 billion), Aviation ($0.2 billion), Healthcare ($0.4 billion), Transportation ($0.1 billion) and Appliances & Lighting ($0.1 billion).
Discontinued Operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In millions)
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings (loss) from discontinued
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
operations, net of taxes
|
$
|
(2,120)
|
|
$
|
(983)
|
|
$
|
29
|
Discontinued operations primarily comprised GE Money Japan, WMC, Consumer RV Marine, Consumer Mexico, Consumer Singapore, Australian Home Lending, Consumer Ireland, CLL Trailer Services and Consumer Russia. Associated results of operations, financial position and cash flows are separately reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented.
In 2013, loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes, reflected a $1.6 billion after-tax effect of incremental reserves, primarily related to an agreement to extinguish our loss-sharing arrangement for excess interest claims associated with the 2008 sale of GE Money Japan, a $0.2 billion after-tax effect of incremental reserves related to retained representation and warranty obligations to repurchase previously sold loans on the 2007 sale of WMC and a $0.2 billion after-tax loss on the planned disposal of Consumer Russia.
In 2012, loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes, primarily reflected a $0.6 billion after-tax effect of incremental reserves for excess interest claims related to our loss-sharing arrangement on the 2008 sale of GE Money Japan, a $0.3 billion after-tax effect of incremental reserves related to retained representation and warranty obligations to repurchase previously sold loans on the 2007 sale of WMC and a $0.2 billion loss (including a $0.1 billion loss on disposal) related to Consumer Ireland, partially offset by a $0.1 billion tax benefit related to the resolution with the IRS regarding the tax treatment of the 2007 sale of our Plastics business.
In 2011, earnings from discontinued operations, net of taxes, included a $0.3 billion gain on disposal related to the sale of Consumer Singapore and $0.1 billion earnings from operations at Consumer Russia, partially offset by a $0.2 billion after-tax effect of incremental reserves for excess interest claims related to our loss-sharing arrangement on the 2008 sale of GE Money Japan and a $0.2 billion loss from operations at Consumer Ireland.
For additional information related to 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.
Geographic Operations
Our global activities span all geographic regions and primarily encompass manufacturing for local and export markets, import and sale of products produced in other regions, leasing of aircraft, sourcing for our plants domiciled in other global regions and provision of financial services within these regional economies. Thus, when countries or regions experience currency and/or economic stress, we often have increased exposure to certain risks, but also often have new opportunities that include, among other things, more opportunities for expansion of industrial and financial services activities through purchases of companies or assets at reduced prices and lower U.S. debt financing costs.
Revenues are classified according to the region to which products and services are sold. For purposes of this analysis, the U.S. is presented separately from the remainder of the Americas. We classify certain assets that cannot meaningfully be associated with specific geographic areas as “Other Global” for this purpose.
Geographic Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In billions)
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S.
|
$
|
68.6
|
|
$
|
70.5
|
|
$
|
69.9
|
Europe
|
|
25.3
|
|
|
26.7
|
|
|
28.2
|
Pacific Basin
|
|
25.5
|
|
|
24.4
|
|
|
23.2
|
Americas
|
|
13.1
|
|
|
13.2
|
|
|
13.2
|
Middle East and Africa
|
|
13.5
|
|
|
11.9
|
|
|
12.0
|
Total
|
$
|
146.0
|
|
$
|
146.7
|
|
$
|
146.5
|
Non-U.S. revenues were $77.4 billion in 2013, compared with $76.2 billion and $76.6 billion in 2012 and 2011, respectively. Non-U.S. revenues to external customers as a percentage of consolidated revenues were 53% in 2013, compared with 52% in both 2012 and 2011.
GE non-U.S. revenues, excluding GECC, in 2013 were $59.0 billion, up 3% over 2012. Increases in growth markets of 72% in Algeria, 38% in Sub-Sahara and 7% in China offset a decrease of 9% in Europe. These revenues as a percentage of GE total revenues, excluding GECC, were 58% in 2013, compared with 57% and 55% in 2012 and 2011, respectively. GE non-U.S. revenues, excluding GECC, were $57.3 billion in 2012, up 5% from 2011, primarily resulting from increases of 22% in Australia and New Zealand, 20% in China and 8% in Latin America, partially offset by a decrease of 36% in India. The effects of currency fluctuations on reported results decreased revenues by $0.3 billion in 2013, primarily driven by the Japanese yen ($0.3 billion) and Brazilian real ($0.2 billion), partially offset by the euro ($0.4 billion). The effect of currency fluctuations on reported results decreased revenues by $1.9 billion in 2012, primarily driven by the euro ($1.4 billion) and Brazilian real ($0.2 billion). The effects of currency fluctuations on reported results increased revenues by $1.4 billion in 2011, primarily driven by the euro ($0.8 billion) and Japanese yen ($0.2 billion).
GECC non-U.S. revenues decreased 3% to $18.4 billion in 2013, compared with $19.0 billion and $22.3 billion in 2012 and 2011, respectively, primarily as a result of decreases in Europe. Non-U.S. revenues as a percentage of total revenues were 42% in 2013 and 2012, compared with 46% in 2011. Non-U.S. revenues decreased by 15% in 2012 from $22.3 billion in 2011, primarily as a result of decreases in Europe. The effects of currency fluctuations on reported results decreased revenues by $0.2 billion in 2013, primarily driven by the Japanese yen ($0.2 billion). The effects of currency fluctuations on reported results decreased revenues by $0.7 billion in 2012, primarily driven by the euro ($0.3 billion), Polish zloty ($0.1 billion), Hungarian forint ($0.1 billion) and Czech koruna ($0.1 billion). The effects of currency fluctuations on reported results increased revenues by $1.0 billion in 2011, primarily driven by the Australian dollar ($0.3 billion), euro ($0.2 billion), Japanese yen ($0.1 billion), Canadian dollar ($0.1 billion) and British pound ($0.1 billion).
The effects of foreign currency fluctuations on earnings were minimal, with no single currency having a significant impact.
Total Assets (continuing operations)
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31 (In billions)
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S.
|
$
|
325.4
|
|
$
|
350.7
|
Europe
|
|
195.1
|
|
|
188.9
|
Pacific Basin
|
|
51.8
|
|
|
55.7
|
Americas
|
|
32.9
|
|
|
32.9
|
Other Global
|
|
49.0
|
|
|
53.5
|
Total
|
$
|
654.2
|
|
$
|
681.7
|
Total assets of non-U.S. operations on a continuing basis were $328.8 billion in 2013, a decrease of $2.2 billion from 2012. This decrease reflected declines in Pacific Basin and Other Global, primarily due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the Japanese yen and dispositions at various businesses, partially offset by increases in Europe, primarily due to acquisitions.
Financial results of our non-U.S. activities reported in U.S. dollars are affected by currency exchange. We use a number of techniques to manage the effects of currency exchange, including selective borrowings in local currencies and selective hedging of significant cross-currency transactions. Such principal currencies are the pound sterling, the euro, the Japanese yen, the Swiss franc and the Australian dollar.
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 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 $0.4 billion in both 2013 and 2012 and $0.3 billion in 2011. We presently expect that such remediation actions will require average annual expenditures of about $0.4 billion for each of the next two years.
In 2006, we entered into a consent decree with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to dredge PCB-containing sediment from the upper Hudson River. The consent decree provided that the dredging would be performed in two phases. Phase 1 was completed in May through November of 2009. Between Phase 1 and Phase 2 there was an intervening peer review by an independent panel of national experts. The panel evaluated the performance of Phase 1 dredging operations with respect to Phase 1 Engineering Performance Standards and recommended proposed changes to the standards. On December 17, 2010, EPA issued its decision setting forth the final performance standards for Phase 2 of the Hudson River dredging project, incorporating aspects of the recommendations from the independent peer review panel and from GE. In December 2010, we agreed to perform Phase 2 of the project in accordance with the final performance standards set by EPA and increased our reserve by $0.8 billion in the fourth quarter of 2010 to account for the probable and estimable costs of completing Phase 2. In 2011, we completed the first year of Phase 2 dredging and commenced work on planned upgrades to the Hudson River wastewater processing facility. Over the past three years we have dredged 1.7 million cubic yards from the river and, based upon that result and our best professional engineering judgment, we believe that our current reserve continues to reflect our probable and estimable costs for the remainder of Phase 2 of the dredging project.
Financial Resources and Liquidity
This discussion of financial resources and liquidity addresses the Statement of Financial Position; Liquidity and Borrowings; Debt and Derivative Instruments, Guarantees and Covenants; Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareowners’ Equity and Comprehensive Income; Statement of Cash Flows – Overview from 2011 through 2013; Contractual Obligations; and Variable Interest Entities (VIEs).
Overview of Financial Position
Major changes to our shareowners’ equity are discussed in the Shareowners’ Equity and Comprehensive Income section. In addition, other significant changes to balances in our Statement of Financial Position follow.
Statement of Financial Position
Because GE and GECC share certain significant elements of their Statements of Financial Position – property, plant and equipment and borrowings, for example – the following discussion addresses significant captions in the consolidated statement. Within the following discussions, however, we distinguish between GE and GECC activities in order to permit meaningful analysis of each individual consolidating statement.
Investment securities comprise mainly investment-grade debt securities supporting obligations to annuitants and policyholders in our run-off insurance operations and supporting obligations to holders of guaranteed investment contracts (GICs) in Trinity, and investments held in our CLL business collateralized by senior secured loans of high-quality, middle-market companies in a variety of industries. The fair value of investment securities decreased to $44.0 billion at December 31, 2013 from $48.5 billion at December 31, 2012, primarily due to the sale of U.S. government and federal agency securities at our treasury operations and the impact of higher interest rates. At December 31, 2013, we held debt securities with an estimated fair value of $43.3 billion, which included corporate debt securities, asset-backed securities (ABS), commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) and residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) with estimated fair values of $23.5 billion, $7.4 billion, $3.0 billion and $1.9 billion, respectively. Net unrealized gains on debt securities were $2.5 billion and $4.8 billion at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. This amount included unrealized losses on corporate debt securities, state and municipal securities and CMBS of $0.3 billion, $0.2 billion and $0.1 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2013, as compared with $0.4 billion, $0.1 billion, and $0.1 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2012.
We regularly review investment securities for impairment using both qualitative and quantitative criteria. For debt securities, our qualitative review considers our intent to sell the security and the financial health of and specific prospects for the issuer, including whether the issuer is in compliance with the terms and covenants of the security. Our quantitative review considers whether there has been an adverse change in expected future cash flows. Unrealized losses are not indicative of the amount of credit loss that would be recognized. We presently do not intend to sell the vast majority of our debt securities that are in an unrealized loss position and believe that it is not more likely than not that we will be required to sell the vast majority of these securities before recovery of our amortized cost. For equity securities, we consider the length of time and magnitude of the amount that each security is in an unrealized loss position. We believe that the unrealized loss associated with our equity securities will be recovered within the foreseeable future. Uncertainty in the capital markets may cause increased levels of other-than-temporary impairments. For additional information relating to how credit losses are calculated, see Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K Report.
Our RMBS portfolio is collateralized primarily by pools of individual, direct mortgage loans (a majority of which were originated in 2006 and 2005), not other structured products such as collateralized debt obligations. The vast majority of our RMBS are in a senior position in the capital structure of the deals and more than 70% are agency bonds or insured by Monoline insurers (Monolines) (on which we continue to place reliance). Of our total RMBS portfolio at December 31, 2013 and 2012, approximately $0.4 billion and $0.5 billion, respectively, relates to residential subprime credit, primarily supporting our guaranteed investment contracts. A majority of this exposure is related to investment securities backed by mortgage loans originated in 2006 and 2005. Substantially all of the subprime RMBS were investment grade at the time of purchase and approximately 70% have been subsequently downgraded to below investment grade.
Our CMBS portfolio is collateralized by both diversified pools of mortgages that were originated for securitization (conduit CMBS) and pools of large loans backed by high-quality properties (large loan CMBS), the majority of which were originated in 2007 and 2006. The vast majority of the securities in our CMBS portfolio have investment-grade credit ratings and the vast majority of the securities are in a senior position in the capital structure of the deals.
Our ABS portfolio is collateralized by senior secured loans of high-quality, middle-market companies in a variety of industries, as well as a variety of diversified pools of assets such as student loans and credit cards. The vast majority of the securities in our ABS portfolio are in a senior position in the capital structure of the deals. In addition, substantially all of the securities that are below investment grade are in an unrealized gain position.
If there has been an adverse change in cash flows for RMBS, management considers credit enhancements such as Monoline insurance (which are features of a specific security). In evaluating the overall creditworthiness of the Monoline, we use an analysis that is similar to the approach we use for corporate bonds, including an evaluation of the sufficiency of the Monoline’s cash reserves and capital, ratings activity, whether the Monoline is in default or default appears imminent, and the potential for intervention by an insurance or other regulator.
Monolines provide credit enhancement for certain of our investment securities, primarily RMBS and municipal securities. The credit enhancement is a feature of each specific security that guarantees the payment of all contractual cash flows, and is not purchased separately by GE. The Monoline industry continues to experience financial stress from increasing delinquencies and defaults on the individual loans underlying insured securities. We continue to rely on Monolines with adequate capital and claims paying resources. We have reduced our reliance on Monolines that do not have adequate capital or have experienced regulator intervention. At December 31, 2013, our investment securities insured by Monolines on which we continue to place reliance were $1.0 billion, including $0.3 billion of our $0.4 billion investment in subprime RMBS. At December 31, 2013, the unrealized loss associated with securities subject to Monoline credit enhancement, for which there is an expected credit loss, was $0.1 billion.
Total pre-tax, other-than-temporary impairment losses during 2013 were $0.8 billion, which was recognized in earnings and primarily relates to credit losses on corporate debt securities and other-than-temporary losses on equity securities and an insignificant amount primarily relates to non-credit-related losses on RMBS and is included within accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI).
Total pre-tax, other-than-temporary impairment losses during 2012 were $0.2 billion, of which $0.1 billion was recognized in earnings and primarily relates to credit losses on non-U.S. corporate, U.S. corporate and RMBS securities and other-than-temporary losses on equity securities and $0.1 billion primarily relates to non-credit-related losses on RMBS and is included within AOCI.
At December 31, 2013 and 2012, unrealized losses on investment securities totaled $0.7 billion and $0.8 billion, respectively, including $0.4 billion and $0.8 billion, respectively, aged 12 months or longer. Of the amount aged 12 months or longer at December 31, 2013, more than 70% are debt securities that were considered to be investment grade by the major rating agencies. In addition, of the amount aged 12 months or longer, $0.1 billion and $0.2 billion related to structured securities (mortgage-backed and asset-backed) and corporate debt securities, respectively. With respect to our investment securities that are in an unrealized loss position, aged 12 months or longer at December 31, 2013, the majority relate to debt securities held to support obligations to holders of GICs. We presently do not intend to sell the vast majority of our debt securities that are in an unrealized loss position and believe that it is not more likely than not that we will be required to sell these securities before recovery of our amortized cost. For additional information, see Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K Report.
Fair value measurements. For financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, fair value is the price we would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction with a market participant at the measurement date. In the absence of active markets for the identical assets or liabilities, such measurements involve developing assumptions based on market observable data and, in the absence of such data, internal information that is consistent with what market participants would use in a hypothetical transaction that occurs at the measurement date. Additional information about our application of this guidance is provided in Notes 1 and 21 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K Report. At December 31, 2013, the aggregate amount of investments that are measured at fair value through earnings totaled $3.2 billion and consisted primarily of various assets held for sale in the ordinary course of business, as well as equity investments.
Working capital, representing GE current receivables and inventories, less GE accounts payable and progress collections, decreased $0.7 billion at December 31, 2013, compared to December 31, 2012 due to increases in accounts payable and progress collections, partially offset by increases in current receivables and inventory. As Power & Water, Oil & Gas and Aviation deliver units out of their backlogs to fulfill commitments over the next few years, progress collections of $13.2 billion at December 31, 2013, will be earned, which, along with progress collections on new orders, will impact working capital. We discuss current receivables and inventories, two important elements of working capital, in the following paragraphs.
Current receivables, before allowance for losses, for GE totaled to $11.4 billion at December 31, 2013 and $9.7 billion at December 31, 2012, and included $7.4 billion due from customers at the end of 2013 compared with $6.3 billion at the end of 2012. GE current receivables turnover was 9.9 in 2013, compared with 10.5 in 2012. The overall increase in current receivables was primarily due to higher volume at Power & Water and Oil & Gas. See Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K Report.
Inventories for GE totaled $17.3 billion at December 31, 2013, an increase of $2.0 billion from 2012. This increase reflected higher inventories at Power & Water, Oil & Gas and Aviation to fulfill commitments and backlog. GE inventory turnover was 6.1 and 6.7 in 2013 and 2012, respectively. See Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K Report.
Financing receivables is our largest category of assets and represents one of our primary sources of revenues. Our portfolio of financing receivables is diverse and not directly comparable to major U.S. banks. A discussion of the quality of certain elements of the financing receivables portfolio follows.
Our consumer portfolio is composed primarily of non-U.S. mortgage, sales finance, auto and personal loans in various European and Asian countries and U.S. consumer credit card and sales finance receivables. In 2007, we exited the U.S. mortgage business and we have no U.S. auto or student loans.
Our commercial portfolio primarily comprises senior secured positions with comparatively low loss history. The secured receivables in this portfolio are collateralized by a variety of asset classes, which for our CLL business primarily 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. The portfolios in our Real Estate, GECAS and Energy Financial Services businesses are collateralized by commercial real estate, commercial aircraft and operating assets in the global energy and water industries, respectively. We are in a secured position for substantially all of our commercial portfolio.
Losses on financing receivables are recognized when they are incurred, which requires us to make our best estimate of probable losses inherent in the portfolio. The method for calculating the best estimate of losses depends on the size, type and risk characteristics of the related financing receivable. Such an estimate requires consideration of historical loss experience, adjusted for current conditions, and judgments about the probable effects of relevant observable data, including present economic conditions such as delinquency rates, financial health of specific customers and market sectors, collateral values (including housing price indices as applicable), and the present and expected future levels of interest rates. The underlying assumptions, estimates and assessments we use to provide for losses are updated periodically to reflect our view of current conditions and are subject to the regulatory examinations process, which can result in changes to our assumptions. Changes in such estimates can significantly affect the allowance and provision for losses. It is possible to experience credit losses that are different from our current estimates.
Our risk management process includes standards and policies for reviewing major risk exposures and concentrations, and evaluates relevant data either for individual loans or financing leases, or on a portfolio basis, as appropriate.
Loans acquired in a business acquisition are recorded at fair value, which incorporates our estimate at the acquisition date of the credit losses over the remaining life of the portfolio. As a result, the allowance for losses is not carried over at acquisition. This may have the effect of causing lower reserve coverage ratios for those portfolios.
For purposes of the discussion that follows, “delinquent” receivables are those that are 30 days or more past due based on their contractual terms, and “nonearning” receivables are those that are 90 days or more past due (or for which collection is otherwise doubtful). Nonearning receivables exclude loans purchased at a discount (unless they have deteriorated post acquisition). These loans are initially recorded at fair value and accrete interest income over the estimated life of the loan based on reasonably estimable cash flows even if the underlying loans are contractually delinquent at acquisition. In addition, nonearning receivables exclude loans that are paying on a cash accounting basis but are classified as nonaccrual and impaired. “Nonaccrual” financing receivables include all nonearning receivables and are those on which we have stopped accruing interest. We stop accruing interest at the earlier of the time at which collection of an account becomes doubtful or the account becomes 90 days past due, with the exception of consumer credit card accounts, on which we accrue interest until the account becomes 180 days past due, as discussed below. Recently restructured financing receivables are not considered delinquent when payments are brought current according to the restructured terms, but may remain classified as nonaccrual until there has been a period of satisfactory payment performance by the borrower and future payments are reasonably assured of collection.
Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2013, we revised our methods for classifying financing receivables as nonaccrual and nonearning to more closely align with regulatory guidance. Under the revised methods, we continue to accrue interest on consumer credit cards until the accounts are written off in the period the account becomes 180 days past due. Previously, we stopped accruing interest on consumer credit cards when the account became 90 days past due. In addition, the revised methods limit the use of the cash basis of accounting for nonaccrual financing receivables.
As a result of these revisions, consumer credit card receivables of $1.1 billion that were previously classified as both nonaccrual and nonearning were returned to accrual status in the fourth quarter of 2013. In addition, $1.5 billion of Real Estate and CLL financing receivables previously classified as nonaccrual, paying in accordance with contractual terms and accounted for on the cash basis, were returned to accrual status, while $2.2 billion of financing receivables previously classified as nonaccrual and accounted for on the cash basis (primarily in Real Estate and CLL) were placed into the nonearning category based on our assessment of the short-term outlook for resolution through payoff or refinance. These changes had an insignificant effect on earnings.
Given that the revised methods result in nonaccrual and nonearning amounts that are substantially the same, we plan to discontinue the reporting of nonearning financing receivables, one of our internal performance metrics, and report selected ratios related to nonaccrual financing receivables in the first quarter of 2014.
Further information on the determination of the allowance for losses on financing receivables and the credit quality and categorization of our financing receivables is provided in the Critical Accounting Estimates section in this Item and Notes 1 and 6 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K Report.
|
Financing receivables at
|
|
Nonearning receivables at
|
|
Allowance for losses at
|
|
December 31,
|
|
December 31,
|
|
December 31,
|
|
December 31,
|
|
December 31,
|
|
December 31,
|
(In millions)
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commercial
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CLL
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Americas
|
$
|
68,585
|
|
$
|
72,517
|
|
$
|
1,243
|
|
$
|
1,333
|
|
$
|
473
|
|
$
|
490
|
Europe(a)
|
|
37,962
|
|
|
37,037
|
|
|
1,046
|
|
|
1,299
|
|
|
415
|
|
|
445
|
Asia
|
|
9,469
|
|
|
11,401
|
|
|
413
|
|
|
193
|
|
|
90
|
|
|
80
|
Other(a)
|
|
451
|
|
|
603
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
52
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
6
|
Total CLL
|
|
116,467
|
|
|
121,558
|
|
|
2,702
|
|
|
2,877
|
|
|
978
|
|
|
1,021
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Energy
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Services
|
|
3,107
|
|
|
4,851
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GECAS
|
|
9,377
|
|
|
10,915
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
|
|
318
|
|
|
486
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
3
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commercial
|
|
129,269
|
|
|
137,810
|
|
|
2,712
|
|
|
2,890
|
|
|
1,005
|
|
|
1,041
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Real Estate
|
|
19,899
|
|
|
20,946
|
|
|
2,301
|
|
|
444
|
|
|
192
|
|
|
320
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consumer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-U.S.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
residential
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
mortgages(b)
|
|
30,501
|
|
|
33,350
|
|
|
1,766
|
|
|
2,567
|
|
|
358
|
|
|
480
|
Non-U.S.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
installment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
and revolving
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
credit
|
|
13,677
|
|
|
17,816
|
|
|
88
|
|
|
213
|
|
|
594
|
|
|
582
|
U.S. installment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
and revolving
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
credit
|
|
55,854
|
|
|
50,853
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
1,026
|
|
|
2,823
|
|
|
2,282
|
Non-U.S. auto
|
|
2,054
|
|
|
4,260
|
|
|
18
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
56
|
|
|
67
|
Other
|
|
6,953
|
|
|
8,070
|
|
|
345
|
|
|
351
|
|
|
150
|
|
|
172
|
Total Consumer
|
|
109,039
|
|
|
114,349
|
|
|
2,219
|
|
|
4,181
|
|
|
3,981
|
|
|
3,583
|
Total
|
$
|
258,207
|
|
$
|
273,105
|
|
$
|
7,232
|
|
$
|
7,515
|
|
$
|
5,178
|
|
$
|
4,944
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
During 2013, we transferred our European equipment services portfolio from CLL Other to CLL Europe. Prior-period amounts were reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.
|
(b)
|
Included financing receivables of $12,025 million and $12,221 million, nonearning receivables of $751 million and $1,036 million and allowance for losses of $139 million and $142 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, primarily related to loans, net of credit insurance, whose terms permitted interest-only payments and high loan-to-value ratios at inception (greater than 90%). At origination, we underwrite loans with an adjustable rate to the reset value. Of these loans, about 85% are in our U.K. and France portfolios, which comprise mainly loans with interest-only payments, high loan-to-value ratios at inception and introductory below market rates, have a delinquency rate of 14%, have a loan-to-value ratio at origination of 82% and have re-indexed loan-to-value ratios of 84% and 64%, respectively. Re-indexed loan-to-value ratios may not reflect actual realizable values of future repossessions. At December 31, 2013, 11% (based on dollar values) of these loans in our U.K. and France portfolios have been restructured.
|
The portfolio of financing receivables, before allowance for losses, was $258.2 billion at December 31, 2013, and $273.1 billion at December 31, 2012. Financing receivables, before allowance for losses, decreased $14.9 billion from December 31, 2012, primarily as a result of dispositions ($6.5 billion), write-offs ($5.9 billion), collections (which includes sales) exceeding originations ($3.6 billion) and the stronger U.S. dollar ($1.7 billion).
Related nonearning receivables totaled $7.2 billion (2.8% of outstanding receivables) at December 31, 2013, compared with $7.5 billion (2.8% of outstanding receivables) at December 31, 2012. Nonearning receivables decreased from December 31, 2012, primarily due to collections and write-offs at CLL and the placing of consumer credit card accounts on accrual status, partially offset by nonearning receivables previously classified as cash basis resulting from a revision to our nonaccrual and nonearning methods to more closely align with regulatory guidance in the fourth quarter of 2013.
The allowance for losses at December 31, 2013 totaled $5.2 billion compared with $4.9 billion at December 31, 2012, representing our best estimate of probable losses inherent in the portfolio. Allowance for losses increased $0.2 billion from December 31, 2012, primarily because provisions were higher than write-offs, net of recoveries by $0.4 billion, which is attributable to an increase in provision in our Consumer installment and revolving portfolios. The allowance for losses as a percent of total financing receivables increased from 1.8% at December 31, 2012 to 2.0% at December 31, 2013 primarily due to an increase in the allowance for losses and a decline in the overall financing receivables balance as discussed above. Further information surrounding the allowance for losses related to each of our portfolios is detailed below.
The following table provides information surrounding selected ratios related to nonearning financing receivables and the allowance for losses.
|
Nonearning financing receivables
|
|
Allowance for losses
|
|
Allowance for losses
|
|
|
as a percent of
|
|
as a percent of
|
|
as a percent of
|
|
December 31
|
financing receivables at
|
|
nonearning financing receivables at
|
|
total financing receivables at
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
|
Commercial
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CLL
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Americas
|
1.8
|
%
|
1.8
|
%
|
38.1
|
%
|
36.8
|
%
|
0.7
|
%
|
0.7
|
%
|
Europe
|
2.8
|
|
3.5
|
|
39.7
|
|
34.3
|
|
1.1
|
|
1.2
|
|
Asia
|
4.4
|
|
1.7
|
|
21.8
|
|
41.5
|
|
1.0
|
|
0.7
|
|
Other
|
–
|
|
8.6
|
|
–
|
|
11.5
|
|
–
|
|
1.0
|
|
Total CLL
|
2.3
|
|
2.4
|
|
36.2
|
|
35.5
|
|
0.8
|
|
0.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Energy
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Services
|
0.1
|
|
–
|
|
200.0
|
|
–
|
|
0.3
|
|
0.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GECAS
|
–
|
|
–
|
|
–
|
|
–
|
|
0.2
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
|
1.9
|
|
2.7
|
|
33.3
|
|
23.1
|
|
0.6
|
|
0.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Commercial
|
2.1
|
|
2.1
|
|
37.1
|
|
36.0
|
|
0.8
|
|
0.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Real Estate
|
11.6
|
|
2.1
|
|
8.3
|
|
72.1
|
|
1.0
|
|
1.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consumer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-U.S.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
residential mortgages(a)
|
5.8
|
|
7.7
|
|
20.3
|
|
18.7
|
|
1.2
|
|
1.4
|
|
Non-U.S.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
installment and
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
revolving credit
|
0.6
|
|
1.2
|
|
675.0
|
|
273.2
|
|
4.3
|
|
3.3
|
|
U.S. installment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
and revolving credit
|
–
|
|
2.0
|
|
(b)
|
|
222.4
|
|
5.1
|
|
4.5
|
|
Non-U.S. auto
|
0.9
|
|
0.6
|
|
311.1
|
|
279.2
|
|
2.7
|
|
1.6
|
|
Other
|
5.0
|
|
4.3
|
|
43.5
|
|
49.0
|
|
2.2
|
|
2.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Consumer
|
2.0
|
|
3.7
|
|
179.4
|
|
85.7
|
|
3.7
|
|
3.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
2.8
|
|
2.8
|
|
71.6
|
|
65.8
|
|
2.0
|
|
1.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
Included nonearning financing receivables as a percent of financing receivables of 6.2% and 8.5%, allowance for losses as a percent of nonearning receivables of 18.5% and 13.7% and allowance for losses as a percent of total financing receivables of 1.2% and 1.2% at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, primarily related to loans, net of credit insurance, whose terms permitted interest-only payments and high loan-to-value ratios at inception (greater than 90%). Compared to the overall Non-U.S. residential mortgage loan portfolio, the ratio of allowance for losses as a percent of nonearning financing receivables for these loans is lower, driven primarily by the higher mix of such products in the U.K. and France portfolios and as a result of the better performance and collateral realization experience in these markets.
|
Included below is a discussion of financing receivables, allowance for losses, nonearning receivables and related metrics for each of our significant portfolios.
CLL – Americas. Nonearning receivables of $1.2 billion represented 17.2% of total nonearning receivables at December 31, 2013. The ratio of allowance for losses as a percent of nonearning receivables increased from 36.8% at December 31, 2012, to 38.1% at December 31, 2013, reflecting a decrease in nonearning receivables. The ratio of nonearning receivables as a percent of financing receivables remained constant at 1.8% at December 31, 2013 primarily due to decreased nonearning exposures in our industrial and consumer-facing portfolios, partially offset by our materials, media and Latin America portfolios. Collateral supporting these nonearning financing receivables primarily includes assets in the restaurant and hospitality, trucking and industrial equipment industries and corporate aircraft, and for our leveraged finance business, equity of the underlying businesses.
CLL – Europe. Nonearning receivables of $1.0 billion represented 14.5% of total nonearning receivables at December 31, 2013. The ratio of allowance for losses as a percent of nonearning receivables increased from 34.3% at December 31, 2012 to 39.7% at December 31, 2013, reflecting a decrease in nonearning receivables and allowance for losses in our Interbanca S.p.A. and asset-backed lending portfolios primarily as a result of write-offs. The majority of our CLL – Europe nonearning receivables are attributable to the Interbanca S.p.A. portfolio, which was acquired in 2009. The loans acquired with Interbanca S.p.A. were recorded at fair value, which incorporates an estimate at the acquisition date of credit losses over their remaining life. Accordingly, these loans generally have a lower ratio of allowance for losses as a percent of nonearning receivables compared to the remaining portfolio. Excluding the nonearning loans attributable to the 2009 acquisition of Interbanca S.p.A., the ratio of allowance for losses as a percent of nonearning receivables increased from 58.4% at December 31, 2012, to 70.8% at December 31, 2013, primarily due to a decrease in nonearning receivables as a result of write-offs and sales in our acquisition finance and asset-backed lending portfolios. The ratio of nonearning receivables as a percent of financing receivables decreased from 3.5% at December 31, 2012, to 2.8% at December 31, 2013, for the reasons described above. Collateral supporting these secured nonearning financing receivables are primarily equity of the underlying businesses for our Interbanca S.p.A. business and acquisition finance businesses, the purchased receivables for our asset-backed lending portfolio, and equipment for our equipment finance portfolio.
CLL – Asia. Nonearning receivables of $0.4 billion represented 5.7% of total nonearning receivables at December 31, 2013. The ratio of allowance for losses as a percent of nonearning receivables decreased from 41.5% at December 31, 2012, to 21.8% at December 31, 2013, primarily due to an increase in nonearning receivables in Australia, South Korea and Thailand, partially offset by restructuring activities and write-offs resulting in a reduction of nonearning receivables in our asset-based financing businesses in Japan. The ratio of nonearning receivables as a percent of financing receivables increased from 1.7% at December 31, 2012, to 4.4% at December 31, 2013, primarily due to increased nonearning receivables mentioned above and a decline in financing receivables primarily in our asset-based financing businesses in Japan and Australia. Collateral supporting these nonearning financing receivables is primarily commercial real estate, manufacturing equipment and corporate aircraft.
Real Estate – Debt. Nonearning receivables of $2.3 billion represented 31.8% of total nonearning receivables at December 31, 2013. The increase in nonearning receivables from December 31, 2012, was primarily due to $2.1 billion of financing receivables previously classified as cash basis resulting from a revision to our nonaccrual and nonearning methods to more closely align with regulatory guidance in the fourth quarter of 2013, partially offset by the resolution of North American multi-family and hotel nonearning loans, as well as European retail and mixed-use loans through payoffs, foreclosures and write-offs. The ratio of allowance for losses as a percent of nonearning receivables decreased from 72.1% to 8.3% reflecting the increase in nonearning loans as mentioned above. The ratio of allowance for losses as a percent of total financing receivables decreased from 1.5% at December 31, 2012 to 1.0% at December 31, 2013, driven primarily by the reduction in overall reserves due to improving market conditions and new loan originations in 2013.
The Real Estate financing receivables portfolio is collateralized by income-producing or owner-occupied commercial properties across a variety of asset classes and markets. At December 31, 2013, total Real Estate financing receivables of $19.9 billion were primarily collateralized by office buildings ($5.9 billion), apartment buildings ($3.2 billion), retail facilities ($2.8 billion), warehouse properties ($2.6 billion) and hotel properties ($2.2 billion). In 2013, commercial real estate markets continue to show signs of improved stability and liquidity in certain markets; however, the pace of improvement varies significantly by asset class and market and the long-term outlook remains uncertain. We have and continue to maintain an intense focus on operations and risk management. Loan loss reserves related to our Real Estate–Debt financing receivables are particularly sensitive to declines in underlying property values. Estimating the impact of global property values on loss performance across our portfolio depends on a number of factors, including macroeconomic conditions, property level operating performance, local market dynamics and individual borrower behavior. As a result, any attempts to forecast potential losses carry a high degree of imprecision and are subject to change. At December 31, 2013, we had 116 foreclosed commercial real estate properties totaling $1.0 billion.
Consumer − Non-U.S. residential mortgages. Nonearning receivables of $1.8 billion represented 24.4% of total nonearning receivables at December 31, 2013. The ratio of allowance for losses as a percent of nonearning receivables increased from 18.7% at December 31, 2012, to 20.3% at December 31, 2013, as a result of lower nonearning receivables due to improved collections and higher property values primarily in our U.K. portfolio. Our non-U.S. mortgage portfolio has a loan-to-value ratio of approximately 75% at origination and the vast majority are first lien positions. Our U.K. and France portfolios, which comprise a majority of our total mortgage portfolio, have reindexed loan-to-value ratios of 77% and 56%, respectively, and about 9% of these loans are without mortgage insurance and have a reindexed loan-to-value ratio equal to or greater than 100%. Re-indexed loan-to-value ratios may not reflect actual realizable values of future repossessions. Loan-to-value information is updated on a quarterly basis for a majority of our loans and considers economic factors such as the housing price index. At December 31, 2013, we had in repossession stock 447 houses in the U.K., which had a value of approximately $0.1 billion. The ratio of nonearning receivables as a percent of financing receivables decreased from 7.7% at December 31, 2012 to 5.8% at December 31, 2013 for the reasons described above.
Consumer − Non-U.S. installment and revolving credit. Nonearning receivables of $0.1 billion represented 1.2% of total nonearning receivables at December 31, 2013. The ratio of allowance for losses as a percent of nonearning receivables increased from 273.2% at December 31, 2012 to 675.0% at December 31, 2013, reflecting an increase in the allowance for losses primarily due to the approach described below and a decrease in nonearning receivables reflect the placing of consumer credit card accounts on accrual status.
Consumer − U.S. installment and revolving credit. Nonearning receivables at December 31, 2013, reflect the placing of consumer credit card accounts on accrual status. The ratio of allowance for losses as a percent of financing receivables increased from 4.5% at December 31, 2012 to 5.1% at December 31, 2013, reflecting an increase in the allowance for losses primarily due to the approach described below.
In 2013, we completed our implementation of a more granular portfolio segmentation approach, by loss type, in determining the incurred loss period in our consumer revolving credit portfolios, which resulted in an increase to the incurred loss period and included a qualitative assessment of the adequacy of the consumer revolving credit portfolios’ allowance for losses, which compares this allowance for losses to projected net write-offs over the next 12 months, in a manner consistent with regulatory guidance. This resulted in an increase of $0.6 billion to the allowance for losses on financing receivables ($0.3 billion, after tax), the vast majority of which was attributable to our U.S. consumer revolving credit portfolios.
Nonaccrual Financing Receivables
The following table provides details related to our nonaccrual and nonearning financing receivables. Nonaccrual financing receivables include all nonearning receivables and are those on which we have stopped accruing interest. We stop accruing interest at the earlier of the time at which collection becomes doubtful or the account becomes 90 days past due, with the exception of consumer credit card accounts, as discussed below.
Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2013, we revised our methods for classifying financing receivables as nonaccrual and nonearning to more closely align with regulatory guidance. Under the revised methods, we continue to accrue interest on consumer credit cards until the accounts are written off in the period the account becomes 180 days past due. Previously, we stopped accruing interest on consumer credit cards when the account became 90 days past due. In addition, the revised methods limit the use of the cash basis of accounting for nonaccrual financing receivables.
As a result of these revisions, consumer credit card receivables of $1.1 billion that were previously classified as both nonaccrual and nonearning were returned to accrual status in the fourth quarter of 2013. In addition, $1.5 billion of Real Estate and CLL financing receivables previously classified as nonaccrual, paying in accordance with contractual terms and accounted for on the cash basis, were returned to accrual status, while $2.2 billion of financing receivables previously classified as nonaccrual and accounted for on the cash basis (primarily in Real Estate and CLL) were placed into the nonearning category based on our assessment of the short-term outlook for resolution through payoff or refinance. These changes had an insignificant effect on earnings.
Given that the revised methods result in nonaccrual and nonearning amounts that are substantially the same, we plan to discontinue the reporting of nonearning financing receivables, one of our internal performance metrics, and report selected ratios related to nonaccrual financing receivables in the first quarter of 2014.
Substantially all of the differences between nonearning and nonaccrual financing receivables relate to loans that are classified as nonaccrual financing receivables but are paying on a cash accounting basis, and therefore excluded from nonearning receivables. Of our $7.9 billion nonaccrual loans at December 31, 2013, $4.2 billion are currently paying in accordance with their contractual terms. Further information on our nonaccrual and nonearning financing receivables is provided in Notes 1 and 6 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K Report.
|
Nonaccrual financing
|
|
Nonearning financing
|
December 31 (In millions)
|
receivables
|
|
receivables
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2012
|
Commercial
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CLL
|
$
|
2,734
|
|
$
|
4,138
|
|
$
|
2,702
|
|
$
|
2,877
|
Energy Financial Services
|
|
4
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
-
|
GECAS
|
|
-
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
Other
|
|
6
|
|
|
25
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
13
|
Total Commercial
|
|
2,744
|
|
|
4,166
|
|
|
2,712
|
|
|
2,890
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Real Estate(a)
|
|
2,551
|
|
|
4,885
|
|
|
2,301
|
|
|
444
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consumer(b)
|
|
2,620
|
|
|
4,288
|
|
|
2,219
|
|
|
4,181
|
Total
|
$
|
7,915
|
|
$
|
13,339
|
|
$
|
7,232
|
|
$
|
7,515
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
During the fourth quarter of 2013, we reclassified financing receivables of $1.0 billion from nonaccrual to accrual status and $2.1 billion from nonaccrual to nonearning, as discussed above.
|
(b)
|
During the fourth quarter of 2013, we reclassified consumer credit card receivables of $1.1 billion from both nonaccrual and nonearning to accrual status, as discussed above.
|
Impaired Loans
“Impaired” loans in the table below are defined as larger-balance or restructured loans for which it is probable that the lender will be unable to collect all amounts due according to original contractual terms of the loan agreement. The vast majority of our Consumer and a portion of our CLL nonaccrual receivables are excluded from this definition, as they represent smaller-balance homogeneous loans that we evaluate collectively by portfolio for impairment.
Impaired loans include nonearning receivables on larger-balance or restructured loans, loans that are currently paying interest under the cash basis (but are excluded from the nonearning category), and loans paying currently that had been previously restructured.
Specific reserves are recorded for individually impaired loans to the extent we have determined that it is probable that we will be unable to collect all amounts due according to original contractual terms of the loan agreement. Certain loans classified as impaired may not require a reserve because we believe that we will ultimately collect the unpaid balance (through collection or collateral repossession).
Further information pertaining to loans classified as impaired and specific reserves is included in the table below.
December 31 (In millions)
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loans requiring allowance for losses
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commercial(a)
|
$
|
1,116
|
|
$
|
1,372
|
Real Estate
|
|
1,245
|
|
|
2,202
|
Consumer
|
|
2,879
|
|
|
3,103
|
Total loans requiring allowance for losses
|
|
5,240
|
|
|
6,677
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loans expected to be fully recoverable
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commercial(a)
|
|
2,776
|
|
|
3,697
|
Real Estate
|
|
2,615
|
|
|
3,491
|
Consumer
|
|
109
|
|
|
105
|
Total loans expected to be fully recoverable
|
|
5,500
|
|
|
7,293
|
Total impaired loans
|
$
|
10,740
|
|
$
|
13,970
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allowance for losses (specific reserves)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commercial(a)
|
$
|
328
|
|
$
|
487
|
Real Estate
|
|
74
|
|
|
188
|
Consumer
|
|
567
|
|
|
673
|
Total allowance for losses (specific reserves)
|
$
|
969
|
|
$
|
1,348
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average investment during the period
|
$
|
12,347
|
|
$
|
16,262
|
Interest income earned while impaired(b)
|
|
626
|
|
|
750
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
Includes CLL, Energy Financial Services, GECAS and Other.
|
(b)
|
Recognized principally on an accrual basis.
|
We regularly review our Real Estate loans for impairment using both quantitative and qualitative factors, such as debt service coverage and loan-to-value ratios. We evaluate a Real Estate loan for impairment when the most recent valuation reflects a projected loan-to-value ratio at maturity in excess of 100%, even if the loan is currently paying in accordance with its contractual terms.
Of our $3.9 billion of impaired loans at Real Estate at December 31, 2013, $3.6 billion are currently paying in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan and are typically loans where the borrower has adequate debt service coverage to meet contractual interest obligations. Impaired loans at CLL primarily represent senior secured lending positions.
Our impaired loan balance at December 31, 2013 and 2012, classified by the method used to measure impairment was as follows.
December 31 (In millions)
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discounted cash flow
|
$
|
5,558
|
|
$
|
6,693
|
Collateral value
|
|
5,182
|
|
|
7,277
|
Total
|
$
|
10,740
|
|
$
|
13,970
|
See Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K Report.
Our loss mitigation strategy is intended to minimize economic loss and, at times, can result in rate reductions, principal forgiveness, extensions, forbearance or other actions, which may cause the related loan to be classified as a troubled debt restructuring (TDR), and also as impaired. Changes to Real Estate’s loans primarily include maturity extensions, principal payment acceleration, changes to collateral terms and cash sweeps, which are in addition to, or sometimes in lieu of, fees and rate increases. The determination of whether these changes to the terms and conditions of our commercial loans meet the TDR criteria includes our consideration of all relevant facts and circumstances. At December 31, 2013, TDRs included in impaired loans were $9.5 billion, primarily relating to Real Estate ($3.6 billion), CLL ($3.0 billion) and Consumer ($2.9 billion).
Real Estate TDRs decreased from $5.1 billion at December 31, 2012 to $3.6 billion at December 31, 2013, primarily driven by resolution of TDRs through paydowns, partially offset by extensions of loans scheduled to mature during 2013, some of which were classified as TDRs upon modification. For borrowers with demonstrated operating capabilities, we work to restructure loans when the cash flow and projected value of the underlying collateral support repayment over the modified term. We deem loan modifications to be TDRs when we have granted a concession to a borrower experiencing financial difficulty and we do not receive adequate compensation in the form of an effective interest rate that is at current market rates of interest given the risk characteristics of the loan or other consideration that compensates us for the value of the concession. For the year ended December 31, 2013, we modified $1.6 billion of loans classified as TDRs, substantially all in our Debt portfolio. Changes to these loans primarily included maturity extensions, principal payment acceleration, changes to collateral or covenant terms and cash sweeps that are in addition to, or sometimes in lieu of, fees and rate increases. The limited liquidity and higher return requirements in the real estate market for loans with higher loan-to-value (LTV) ratios have typically resulted in the conclusion that the modified terms are not at current market rates of interest, even if the modified loans are expected to be fully recoverable. We received the same or additional compensation in the form of rate increases and fees for the majority of these TDRs. Of our $1.6 billion and $4.4 billion of modifications classified as TDRs in the last 12 months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, $0.2 billion have subsequently experienced a payment default in both 2013 and 2012.
The substantial majority of the Real Estate TDRs have reserves determined based upon collateral value. Our specific reserves on Real Estate TDRs were $0.1 billion at December 31, 2013 and $0.2 billion at December 31, 2012, and were 1.9% and 3.1%, respectively, of Real Estate TDRs. In many situations these loans did not require a specific reserve as collateral value adequately covered our recorded investment in the loan. While these modified loans had adequate collateral coverage, we were still required to complete our TDR classification evaluation on each of the modifications without regard to collateral adequacy.
We utilize certain short-term (three months or less) loan modification programs for borrowers experiencing temporary financial difficulties in our Consumer loan portfolio. These loan modification programs are primarily concentrated in our non-U.S. residential mortgage and non-U.S. installment and revolving portfolios. We sold our U.S. residential mortgage business in 2007 and, as such, do not participate in the U.S. government-sponsored mortgage modification programs. For the year ended December 31, 2013, we provided short-term modifications of approximately $0.1 billion of consumer loans for borrowers experiencing financial difficulties, substantially all in our non-U.S. residential mortgage, credit card and personal loan portfolios, which are not classified as TDRs. For these modified loans, we provided insignificant interest rate reductions and payment deferrals, which were not part of the terms of the original contract. We expect borrowers whose loans have been modified under these short-term programs to continue to be able to meet their contractual obligations upon the conclusion of the short-term modification. In addition, we have modified $1.4 billion of Consumer loans for the year ended December 31, 2013, which are classified as TDRs. Further information on Consumer impaired loans is provided in Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K Report.
Delinquencies
For additional information on delinquency rates at each of our major portfolios, see Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K Report.
GECC Selected European Exposures
At December 31, 2013, we had $81.8 billion in financing receivables to consumer and commercial customers in Europe. The GECC financing receivables portfolio in Europe is well diversified across European geographies and customers. Approximately 88% of the portfolio is secured by collateral and represents approximately 500,000 commercial customers. Several European countries, including Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Hungary (focus countries), have been subject to credit deterioration due to weaknesses in their economic and fiscal situations. The carrying value of GECC funded exposures in these focus countries and in the rest of Europe comprised the following at December 31, 2013.
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Rest of
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Total
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December 31, 2013 (In millions)
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Spain
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Portugal
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Ireland
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Italy
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Greece
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Hungary
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Europe
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Europe
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Financing receivables,
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before allowance
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for losses on
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financing receivables
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$
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1,605
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$
|
262
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$
|
290
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|
$
|
7,149
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$
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5
|
|
$
|
3,014
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|
$
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70,734
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|
$
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83,059
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Allowance for losses on
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financing receivables
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(106)
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|
(18)
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(4)
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(254)
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|
-
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(68)
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(787)
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|
(1,237)
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Financing receivables,
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net of allowance
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for losses on
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financing receivables(a)(b)
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|
1,499
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|
|
244
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|
|
286
|
|
|
6,895
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