GE reported 23Q1 revenues of $14.5 billion, up 14.3% year-over-year; GAAP EPS from continuing operations of $5.61, compared with 22Q1’s $1.17 loss; and non-GAAP EPS of $0.27, reversing 22Q1’s $0.09 loss. I had anticipated a GAAP loss of $0.14 per share and non-GAAP EPS of $0.14.
The company recorded $6.1 billion of other income in the quarter, all of which was due to an unrealized gain on its 19.9% ownership position in GE Healthcare. Excluding that gain, I estimate that GE’s GAAP EPS was $0.06, still better than my expectations. The better-than-anticipated adjusted GAAP and non-GAAP results were due almost entirely to improving performance at GE Aerospace, which posted a 46.0% surge in segment profit to $1.33 billion on a 24.6% increase in revenues to $6.98 billion. Segment profit and loss at GE’s Power and Renewable Energy businesses was essentially flat.
Despite the strong 23Q1 performance, management raised only the low end of its 2023 non-GAAP EPS guidance range – by $0.10 to $1.70-$2.00. That incorporates the 23Q1 earnings beat, but it also implies little or no improvement in earnings expectations beyond the original guidance for the rest of the year.
Yet, GE’s stock has continued to outperform the broader market. Since my previous report (2/27), its total return is 21.7%, far outpacing the S&P 500’s 4.9%. With the stock now trading at 50 times projected 2023 non-GAAP earnings of $2.02, it is evident that the price anticipates the value that will be created in the spin-off of GE Vernova, which is scheduled for early 2024.
Based upon the better-than-anticipated results, I have raised my per share range estimate of GE’s break-up value from $85-$112 previously to $93-$123. The increase mostly reflects the paydown of debt from the application of proceeds of the GE Healthcare spin-off, a $1.8 billion reduction in capital contributions due to run-off insurance operations and the sale of $1.8 billion of its stake in AerCap Holdings (AER). The $108 midpoint of the new valuation range represents a potential return of about 7% from the current price of $101.70. Accordingly, I am reducing my performance rating to “3” (Neutral) from “1” (Strong BUY).
This is a summary of my latest update report on General Electric Company (GE). To obtain a copy of the full report, please reach out to me using the contact information provided below.
May 24, 2023
Stephen P. Percoco
Lark Research
839 Dewitt Street
Linden, New Jersey 07036
(908) 975-0250
admin@larkresearch.com
© 2015-2024 by Stephen P. Percoco, Lark Research. All rights reserved.
This blog post (as with all posts on this website) represents the opinion of Lark Research based upon its own independent research and supporting information obtained from various sources. Although Lark Research believes these sources to be reliable, it has not independently confirmed their accuracy. Consequently, this blog post may contain errors and omissions. Furthermore, this blog post is a summary of a recent report published on this subject and that report provides a more complete discussion and assessment of the risks and opportunities of any investment securities discussed herein. No representation or warranty is expressed or implied by the publication of this blog post. This blog post is for informational purposes only and shall not be construed as investment advice that meets the specific needs of any investor. Investors should, in consultation with their financial advisers, determine the suitability of the post’s recommendations, if any, to their own specific circumstances. Lark Research is not registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission, pursuant to exemptions provided in the Investment Company Act of 1940. This blog post remains the property of Lark Research and may not be reproduced, copied or similarly disseminated, in whole or in part, without its prior written consent.