UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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FORM 10-K
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(Mark One)
[x] Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001 Commission file number 1-35
or
[ ] Transition Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from ______to _______
General Electric Company
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
New York 14-0689340
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(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
3135 Easton Turnpike, Fairfield, CT 06431-0001 203/373-2211
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) (Telephone No.)
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Name of each exchange
Title of each class on which registered
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Common stock, par value $0.06 per share New York Stock Exchange
Boston Stock Exchange
There were 9,935,629,691 shares of voting common stock with a par value
of $0.06 outstanding at March 3, 2002. These shares, which constitute all of the
outstanding common equity of the registrant, had an aggregate market value on
March 4, 2002, of $396.1 billion. Affiliates of the Company beneficially own, in
the aggregate, less than one-tenth of one percent of such shares.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No
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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. x
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DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The definitive proxy statement relating to the registrant's Annual
Meeting of Share Owners, to be held April 24, 2002, is incorporated by reference
in Part III to the extent described therein.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
PART I
Item 1 Business ........................................................................... 3
Item 2 Properties ......................................................................... 20
Item 3 Legal Proceedings .................................................................. 20
Item 4 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders ................................ 22
PART II
Item 5 Market for the Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters .......... 22
Item 6 Selected Financial Data ............................................................ 22
Item 7 Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations ...................... 23
Item 7A Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk ......................... 23
Item 8 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data ........................................ 23
Item 9 Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 23
PART III
Item 10 Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant ................................. 23
Item 11 Executive Compensation ............................................................. 24
Item 12 Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management ..................... 24
Item 13 Certain Relationships and Related Transactions ..................................... 24
PART IV
Item 14 Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K ................... 24
Signatures ......................................................................... 28
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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
GENERAL
Unless otherwise indicated by the context, the terms "GE," "GECS" and
"GE Capital Services" are used on the basis of consolidation described in note 1
to the consolidated financial statements on page 67 of the 2001 Annual Report to
Share Owners of General Electric Company. The financial section of such Annual
Report to Share Owners (pages 41 through 92 of that document) is set forth in
Part IV Item 14(a)(1) of this 10-K Report and is an integral part hereof.
References in Parts I and II of this 10-K Report are to the page numbers of the
2001 Annual Report to Share Owners included in Part IV of this 10-K Report.
Also, unless otherwise indicated by the context, "General Electric" means the
parent company, General Electric Company.
General Electric's address is 1 River Road, Schenectady, NY 12345-6999;
the Company also maintains executive offices at 3135 Easton Turnpike, Fairfield,
CT 06431-0001.
GE is one of the largest and most diversified industrial corporations
in the world. GE has engaged in developing, manufacturing and marketing a wide
variety of products for the generation, transmission, distribution, control and
utilization of electricity since its incorporation in 1892. Over the years, GE
has developed or acquired new technologies and services that have broadened
considerably the scope of its activities.
GE's products include major appliances; lighting products; industrial
automation products; medical diagnostic imaging equipment; motors; electrical
distribution and control equipment; locomotives; power generation and delivery
products; nuclear power support services and fuel assemblies; commercial and
military aircraft jet engines; and engineered materials, such as plastics,
silicones and superabrasive industrial diamonds.
GE's services include product services; electrical product supply
houses; electrical apparatus installation, engineering, repair and rebuilding
services; and computer-related information services. Through its affiliate, the
National Broadcasting Company, Inc., GE delivers network television services,
operates television stations, and provides cable, Internet and multimedia
programming and distribution services. Through another affiliate, General
Electric Capital Services, Inc., GE offers a broad array of financial and other
services including consumer financing, commercial and industrial financing, real
estate financing, asset management and leasing, mortgage services, consumer
savings and insurance services, and specialty insurance and reinsurance.
In virtually all of its global business activities, GE encounters
aggressive and able competition. In many instances, the competitive climate is
characterized by changing technology that requires continuing research and
development, as well as customer commitments. With respect to manufacturing
operations, management believes that, in general, GE is one of the leading firms
in most of the major industries in which it participates. The NBC Television
Network is one of four major U.S. commercial broadcast television networks. It
also competes with two relatively new commercial broadcast networks, syndicated
broadcast television programming and cable and satellite television programming
activities. The businesses in which GE Capital Services 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, finance
companies associated with manufacturers, and insurance and reinsurance
companies.
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This 10-K Report includes certain "forward-looking statements" within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These
statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to
uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may differ materially
from these expectations due to changes in global political, economic, business,
competitive, market and regulatory factors.
GE has substantial export sales from the United States. In addition,
the Company has expanded significantly its non-U.S. activities through majority,
minority or other joint venture interests in companies engaged primarily in
manufacturing and distributing products and providing nonfinancial services
similar to those sold within the United States. GECS financial services
operations outside the United States also have expanded considerably over the
past several years.
OPERATING SEGMENTS
Revenue and segment profit information about the Company's operating
segments in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS)
No. 131, DISCLOSURES ABOUT SEGMENTS OF AN ENTERPRISE AND RELATED INFORMATION, is
presented on page 51 of the 2001 Annual Report to Share Owners. Additional
financial data and commentary on recent financial results for operating segments
are provided on pages 50-57 of that Report and in note 27 (pages 86 and 87) to
the consolidated financial statements.
Operating businesses that are reported as segments under SFAS No. 131
include Aircraft Engines, Appliances, GECS, NBC and Power Systems. The remaining
key businesses do not meet the definition of a reportable segment and have been
aggregated into three operating segments based on common characteristics of
their activities (Industrial Products and Systems, Materials, and Technical
Products and Services). For the GECS segment, revenues and net earnings are
presented and analyzed on pages 53-57 of the 2001 Annual Report to Share Owners
by the five major operating activities in which it conducts its business
(consumer services, equipment management, mid-market financing, specialized
financing and specialty insurance). There is appropriate elimination of the net
earnings of GECS and the immaterial effect of transactions between GE and GECS
segments to arrive at total consolidated data. A summary description of each of
the Company's operating segments follows.
AIRCRAFT ENGINES
Aircraft Engines (9.0%, 8.3% and 9.6% of consolidated revenues in 2001,
2000 and 1999, respectively) produces, sells and services jet engines, turboprop
and turboshaft engines, and related replacement parts for use in military and
commercial aircraft. GE's military engines are used in a wide variety of
aircraft that includes fighters, bombers, tankers, helicopters and surveillance
aircraft. The CFM56, produced by CFMI, a company jointly owned by GE and Snecma
of France, and GE's CF6 engines power aircraft in all categories of large
commercial aircraft: short/medium, intermediate and long-range. Applications for
the CFM56 engine include: Boeing's 737-300/-400/-500 series, the next generation
737-600X/-700/-800/-900 series, and the 737 business jet; Airbus Industrie's
A318, A319, A320, A321 and A340-300 series; and military aircraft such as the
KC-135R, E/KE-3 and E-6. The CF6 family of engines powers intermediate and
long-range aircraft such as Boeing's 747, 767, DC-10 and MD-11 series, as well
as Airbus Industrie's A300, A310 and A330 series. The GE90 engine is used to
power Boeing's 777 series twin-engine aircraft. The GP7000, being designed and
marketed in a joint venture with the Pratt & Whitney division of United
Technologies Corporation, is offered on Airbus Industrie's A380. The business
produces jet engines, such as the CF34, for executive aircraft and regional
commuter aircraft. The business also manufactures aircraft engine derivatives
used for marine propulsion, mechanical drives and industrial power generation
sources, the latter of which are reported as part of the Power Systems segment.
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Maintenance, overhaul and component repair (MRO) services, including sales of
replacement parts, are provided for many models of engines, including engines
manufactured by competitors, and represents a significant portion of this
segment's margins.
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, both customer-financed and
internally funded, are important in this segment. Focused intellectual property
strategies and protection of key aircraft engine design, manufacture, repair and
product upgrade technologies are also important. 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 the state of the art, by the
small number of potential customers and by the limited number of applicable
airframe applications. Aircraft engine orders tend to follow military and
airline procurement cycles, although cycles for military and commercial engine
procurement are different. Procurements of military jet engines are affected by
changes in global political and economic factors.
In line with industry practice, airframe manufacturers support their
sales of commercial jet aircraft from time to time with long-term financing
commitments to customers, and engine manufacturers are often asked to
participate in such financings. In making such commitments, it is GE's general
practice to require that it have or be able to establish a secured position in
the aircraft being financed. Under such airline financing programs, GE had
issued guarantees amounting to $1.2 billion at year-end 2001, and had entered
into commitments totaling $1.5 billion to provide financial assistance on future
aircraft engine sales. Net of reserves, the estimated fair values of the
aircraft securing these guarantees exceeded the related guaranteed amounts at
December 31, 2001. See page 50 of the 2001 Annual Report to Share Owners for
information about Aircraft Engines orders and backlog.
APPLIANCES
Appliances (4.6%, 4.5% and 5.1% of consolidated revenues in 2001, 2000
and 1999, respectively) manufactures and/or markets a single class of product -
major appliances - that includes refrigerators, electric and gas cooking
products, microwave ovens, freezers, dishwashers, clothes washers and dryers,
water-softening and filtering products, and room air conditioning equipment.
These are sold under GE, Hotpoint, Monogram, and Profile brands as well as under
private brands for retailers and others. GE microwave ovens, gas and electric
ranges, room air conditioners, water-softening and filtering products, freezers
and some refrigerators are sourced from suppliers while investment in
Company-owned facilities is focused on refrigerators, dishwashers, electric
ranges and home laundry equipment. A large portion of appliance sales is for
replacement of installed units. Such sales are effected through a variety of
retail outlets. The other principal channel consists of residential building
contractors who install appliances in new dwellings. GE has an extensive U.S.
product services network that provides repair services, extended service plans,
warranty administration and risk management services.
Demand for appliances is influenced by economic trends such as
increases or decreases in consumer disposable income, availability of credit and
housing construction. Competition is very active in all products and comes from
a number of principal manufacturers and suppliers. An important factor is the
degree of product differentiation achieved through innovation and new product
features. GE Appliances continued to use its Six Sigma new product introduction
process to bring new and differentiated products to the consumer. 2001 marked
the introduction of GE Appliances' highly successful Arctica(TM) refrigerator.
Industry exclusive features - speed and an advanced temperature management
system, resulted in the POPULAR SCIENCE Grand Award for Home Technology and a
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GOOD HOUSEKEEPING Good Buy Award. Appliances also introduced the Triton XL(TM)
dishwasher, with industry claims of "Highest performance dishwasher you can buy"
and "America's most energy efficient dishwashers", as well as the Advantium
120(TM) which expands the business' speedcooking oven line. GE Appliances is
actively seeking patent protection to preserve the exclusivity of its product
innovations with a focus on those innovations that are important to the
consumer. Quality is also a key element to success in the appliance market. The
Six Sigma quality initiative continues to enable the business to improve the
quality of products to record levels, reduce waste and provide better product
services. Other significant factors include product cost, brand recognition,
customer responsiveness and appliance service capability.
GE Appliances continued to grow e-commerce revenues in 2001, selling
approximately $3.4 billion of appliances electronically and more than $1.3
billion using its state-of-the-art CustomerNet website. The business has also
used web-based technology to improve efficiency in its procurement process,
purchasing more than $3.5 billion through its SupplierNet web site.
INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS AND SYSTEMS
Industrial Products and Systems (9.3%, 9.0% and 10.2% of consolidated
revenues in 2001, 2000, and 1999, respectively) encompasses the following
businesses: Lighting, Transportation Systems, Industrial Systems, and GE Supply.
Products and services provided by each of the businesses in this segment are
sold primarily to industrial customers, including original equipment
manufacturers, industrial end users, utilities, electrical contractors, as well
as to distributors. These businesses compete against a variety of both U.S. and
non-U.S. manufacturers and service providers. Markets for industrial products
and services are diverse, global and highly price competitive. The aggregate
level of economic activity in markets for such products and services generally
lag overall economic slowdowns as well as subsequent recoveries. In the United
States, industrial markets are undergoing significant structural changes
reflecting, among other factors, increased international competition and
pressures to modernize productive capacity. A description of products and
services provided by each of the businesses in this segment follows.
Lighting includes a wide variety of lamps -- incandescent, fluorescent,
HID (high intensity discharge), halogen and specialty -- as well as wiring
device products and outdoor lighting fixtures. Customers for lighting products
are diverse, ranging from household consumers to commercial and industrial end
users and original equipment manufacturers. Markets and customers generally are
global. In 2001, the business introduced the Reveal(TM) family of lightbulbs,
the largest and most extensive product launch in Lighting's 120 year history. In
1999, the business formed GELcore LLC, a joint venture with Emcore Corporation,
focusing on the technology and market development of "white light" LEDs
(light-emitting diodes). Additionally, its industrial fixtures business acquired
a majority interest in Hadasa, a Spanish company specializing in the manufacture
and sale of high-intensity discharge lighting fixtures. Lighting is actively
developing intellectual property in the high growth areas such as specialty and
HID lamps, LED, organic electroluminescent devices and electronics.
Transportation Systems is one of the world's leading suppliers to the
railroad, transit, and mining industries, providing freight and passenger
locomotives, motorized drive systems for mining trucks and drills, diesel
engines for marine and stationary markets, electrical propulsion and control
systems for rapid transit cars, railway signaling and communications systems,
value added services, and information technology solutions. Product services
include maintenance and repair of locomotives and communications and logistics
systems for locomotive and train control. In 2000, to further enhance product
services offerings, the business acquired Harmon Industries, a leading provider
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of wayside signaling and crossing warning systems as well as
microprocessor-based signal and train control systems and services. In 2001, the
business acquired locomotive service assets from the Wabtec Corporation -
establishing the capability to provide aftermarket products and perform full
maintenance services on General Motors EMD locomotives. GE locomotives currently
operate in more than 50 countries worldwide. Information about Transportation
Systems orders and backlog is provided on page 50 of the 2001 Annual Report to
Share Owners.
Industrial Systems includes electric motors and related products and
services for the appliance, commercial, industrial, heating, air conditioning,
automotive and utility markets; power delivery and control products such as
circuit breakers, transformers, electricity meters, relays, capacitors and
arresters sold for installation in commercial, industrial and residential
facilities; electrical and electronic industrial automation products, including
drive systems, for metal and paper processing, mining, utilities and marine
applications. In 2001, the business expanded its portfolio by acquiring Sensing
Solutions group of Spirent plc, a manufacturer of products and subsystems for
sensing temperature, humidity and pressure in multiple industries, and agreeing
to purchase Interlogics, Inc., delivering products with leading- edge security
technology. These two acquisitions introduce innovative products and attract new
platforms for continued growth. Product services include engineering, management
and technical expertise for power plants and other large projects; maintenance,
inspection, repair and rebuilding of electrical apparatus produced by GE and
others; and on-site engineering and upgrading of already installed products sold
by GE and others. Other product services include the integration of software
with hardware (principally motors, drives and programmable controls) into
customized systems solutions for customers in the semiconductor, water
treatment, pulp and paper, and petroleum industries. Acquiring the Lentronics
line of advanced multiplexer product offerings in 2001 added communication
products used primarily for telecommunications and intelligent transport
applications energy sectors. In 1999, the business strengthened its position in
the equipment market by acquiring the GEC Alstom Low Voltage business in the
United Kingdom and the GEC Alstom and AEG-NGEF Ltd. businesses in India. Through
a 50-50 joint venture (GE Fanuc Automation Corporation), which has two operating
subsidiaries (one in North America and the other in Europe), the business offers
a wide range of high-technology industrial automation systems and equipment,
including computer numerical controls and programmable logic controls. In 1999,
GE Fanuc acquired Total Control Products, Inc., strengthening its position in
the emerging market for open control systems. In 2001, it acquired VMIC, a
manufacturer of high-performance communications, data acquisition and control
products for industrial automation and other uses.
GE Supply operates a U.S. network of electrical supply houses and,
through its affiliates, has operations in Mexico, Brazil and Ireland. GE Supply
offers products of GE and other manufacturers to electrical contractors and to
industrial, commercial and utility customers.
MATERIALS
Materials (5.6%, 6.2% and 6.4% of consolidated revenues in 2001, 2000
and 1999, respectively) consists of the Plastics and Specialty Materials
businesses.
Plastics includes high-performance plastics used by compounders,
molders and major original equipment manufacturers for use in a variety of
applications, including fabrication of automotive parts, computer enclosures,
compact disks and optical-quality media, major appliance parts,
telecommunications equipment and construction materials. Market opportunities
for many of these products are created by substituting resins for other
materials, which can provide customers with productivity through improved
material performance at lower system costs. These materials are sold to a
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diverse worldwide customer base, mainly manufacturers. The business has a
significant operating presence around the world and participates in numerous
manufacturing and distribution joint ventures. During 2000, Plastics opened new
compounding plants in Thailand and China to support demand in Asia. Also in
2000, Plastics acquired both the Cadillac Plastic Group and Commercial Plastics
& Supply Company, global distributors of plastic sheet, rod, tube, film and
shapes. During 2001, the business expanded its polycarbonate resins plants in
Cartagena, Spain and Burkville, Alabama and announced plans to acquire LNP
Engineering Plastics. LNP is a global manufacturer of high-performance,
high-value compounded thermoplastics for a variety of applications.
The materials business environment is characterized by technological
innovation and heavy capital investment. Being competitive requires emphasis on
efficient manufacturing process implementation and significant resources devoted
to market and application development. Competitors include large,
technology-driven suppliers of the same, as well as other functionally
equivalent, materials. The business is cyclical and is subject to variations in
price and in the availability of raw materials, such as cumene, benzene and
methanol. Availability of manufacturing capacity from the business or its
competitors and anticipation of new product or material performance requirements
are key factors affecting competition. Application development and associated
technology assistance create incremental market demand. In addition, product and
manufacturing process patents establish barriers to entry in many product lines.
Specialty Materials was formed in June 2001 and operates from 24
locations in 11 countries. With a broad product offering, GESM serves diverse
industries, including automotive, cosmetics, semiconductors, oil drilling and
telecommunications. The business manufactures and sells high performance
specialty materials including silicones, polymer additives, high purity
quartzware and industrial grade and gem quality diamonds. These products are
used by compounders, molders and major original equipment manufacturers in a
variety of applications, including fabrication of automotive parts, medical
parts, electronics equipment, semi-conductor equipment and construction tools.
Market opportunities for many of these products are created by substituting
specialty materials for other materials, providing customers with productivity
through improved material performance at lower system costs. These materials are
sold to a diverse worldwide customer base, mainly manufacturers with smaller
portfolios of consumer products. The business has a significant operating
presence around the world and participates in numerous manufacturing and
distribution joint ventures. Early in 2002, Specialty Materials signed a
definitive agreement to acquire BetzDearborn, a global water treatment service
company.
The specialty materials business environment is characterized by
technological innovation and heavy capital investment. Being competitive
requires emphasis on efficient manufacturing process implementation and
significant resources devoted to market and application development. Competitors
include large, technology-driven suppliers of the same, as well as other
functionally equivalent, materials.
NBC
NBC (4.6%, 5.2% and 5.2% of consolidated revenues in 2001, 2000 and
1999, respectively) is principally engaged in the broadcast of network
television services to affiliated television stations within the United States;
the production of live and recorded television programs; the operation, under
licenses from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), of television
broadcasting stations; the ownership of four cable/satellite networks around the
world, and investment and programming activities in multimedia, the Internet and
cable television. The NBC Television Network is one of four major U.S.
commercial broadcast television networks and serves more than 220 affiliated
stations within the United States. At December 31, 2001, NBC owned and/or
operated 13 VHF and UHF television stations located in Birmingham, AL;
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Los Angeles, CA; San Diego, CA; Hartford, CT; Miami, FL; Chicago, IL; Columbus,
OH; New York, NY; Raleigh-Durham, NC; Philadelphia, PA; Providence, RI; Dallas,
TX; and Washington, DC. Broadcasting operations, including the NBC Television
Network and owned stations, are subject to FCC regulation. NBC's operations
include investment and programming activities in cable television, principally
through CNBC, MSNBC, CNBC Europe, and CNBC Asia; equity investments in Arts and
Entertainment, The History Channel, ValueVision, Inc., Rainbow Media Holdings,
Inc. and Rainbow Media Group; and a non-voting interest in Paxson Communications
Corporation. In 2001, NBC Internet, Inc. (NBCi) became a wholly-owned subsidiary
of NBC by merger, and was thereafter dissolved and its remaining assets and
liabilities distributed to NBC in a final liquidation distribution. NBCi was
formed in 1999 by combining certain of NBC's Internet assets with businesses of
Xoom.com, a community services Internet site, and Snap.com. NBC's strategic
alliance with Dow Jones merged the European and Asian business news services of
Dow Jones with those of CNBC to form CNBC Europe and CNBC Asia, and in addition
permits NBC to use Dow Jones editorial resources in the United States. In
October 2001, NBC announced plans to acquire Spanish language broadcaster,
Telemundo. NBC has entered into long-term arrangements with Triple Crown
Productions and the National Association For Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) that
give NBC exclusive American broadcast rights to the Kentucky Derby, the
Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes beginning in 2001 through 2005 and, in
conjunction with Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., to the exclusive television
rights to 20 NASCAR races per network per year beginning in 2001 through 2006.
The business has entered into a long-term arrangement with the United States
Golf Association (USGA) that gives NBC exclusive national over-the-air broadcast
rights to the USGA's major golf championships through the year 2005. The
business also has the exclusive national over-the-air broadcast rights to the
National Basketball Association (NBA) games through the 2002 season. NBC also
has secured United States television rights to the 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008
Olympic Games.
POWER SYSTEMS
Power Systems (16.1%, 11.4% and 9.0% of consolidated revenues in 2001,
2000, and 1999, respectively) serves utility, industrial and governmental
customers worldwide with electricity generating products, services and energy
management systems. Gas turbines are used principally in power plants for
generation of electricity and for industrial cogeneration and mechanical drive
applications. In 2001, the business made several acquisitions including the A-C
Compressor Group from Dover Corporation and the Tensor and Advanced Composites
operations from Honeywell. The A-C Compressor Group serves the power generation
and oil and gas industries worldwide. The business acquired several key European
businesses in 2000, including the hydro power generation and gas turbine
divisions of Kvaerner, Smallworld energy management solutions and Thermodyn's
centrifugal compressor and steam turbine operations. These acquisitions continue
to improve the ability of the business to serve its global customers. In 1999,
the business acquired the heavy-duty gas turbine division at Alstom with
manufacturing facilities in France and Germany. Power Systems also packages
aircraft engine derivatives for use as industrial power sources. This activity
is also reported in the Aircraft Engines segment. Centrifugal compressors are
sold for application in gas reinjection, pipeline services and such process
applications as refineries and ammonia plants. Steam turbine-generators are sold
to the electric utility industry and to private industrial customers for
cogeneration applications. Nuclear reactors, fuel and support services for both
new and installed boiling water reactors are also a part of this segment. There
have been no nuclear power plant orders in the United States since the
mid-1970's. However, the business is currently participating in the construction
of nuclear power plants in Taiwan. The business continues to invest in advanced
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technology development and to focus its resources in refueling and servicing its
installed boiling-water reactors. The business continues to invest in
intellectual property in order to further advance and protect its proprietary
technological knowledge related to its electricity generating products and
services.
Worldwide competition for power generation products and services is
intense. Demand for most power generation products and services is global and
as a result is sensitive to the economic and political environment of each
country in which the business participates. In the United States, demand for
power generation equipment is sensitive to regional load growth requirements and
demand side management. Internationally, the influence of available fuels and
related prices has a large impact on demand. For information about orders and
backlog, see page 52 of the 2001 Annual Report to Share Owners.
TECHNICAL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
Technical Products and Services (7.2%, 6.1% and 6.1% of consolidated
revenues in 2001, 2000, and 1999, respectively) consists of technology
operations providing products, systems and services to a variety of customers.
Principal businesses included in this segment are Medical Systems and
Information Services.
Medical Systems includes magnetic resonance (MR) scanners, computed
tomography (CT) scanners, Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanners, x-ray,
patient monitoring, diagnostic cardiology, nuclear imaging, ultrasound, bone
densitometry and other diagnostic and therapy equipment, and product services
sold to hospitals and medical facilities worldwide. Product services include
remote diagnostic and repair services for medical equipment manufactured by GE
and by others, as well as computerized data management and customer productivity
services. GE Medical Systems has a significant operating presence in Europe and
Asia, including the operations of its affiliates, GE Medical Systems S.A.
(France), GE Yokogawa Medical Systems (Japan) and WIPRO GE Medical Systems
(India). In 2001, GE Medical Systems accelerated growth with several strategic
acquisitions including Imatron, Inc. a leading developer of Electron Beam
Tomography (EBT) scanners. GE Medical Systems also strengthened geographic and
product positions in its Global Ultrasound business by acquiring Kretztechnik
AG, an Austrian company, and EchoTech 3D Imaging Systems, based in Germany. GE
Medical Systems INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES expanded its products offerings by
acquiring ProAct Medical and Data Critical, the latter a leading innovator of
wireless communication technologies for health care customers. In 2001, GE
Medical Systems enhanced its position in functional and molecular imaging by
entering into numerous strategic agreements with companies such as
GlaxoSmithKline and Amersham Health. The functional imaging business also
acquired Coincidence Technologies SA, a leading developer of PET synthesis and
handling units based in France. In 2000, the business entered the Bone Mineral
Densitometry market through the acquisition of Lunar, a leading player in the
segment, and also made a number of acquisitions to strengthen geographic and
product positions in diagnostic cardiology and patient monitoring devices,
including: NEC, Prucka, and Critikon. Other acquisitions in 2000 included Sopha
Medical Vision, a France based global nuclear medicine company; Parallel Design,
a leader in ultrasound imaging transducers; SEC, a provider of
leading-technology clinical information systems; and MECON, a leader in
healthcare data mining. Acquisitions in 1999 included OEC Medical Systems, a
leader in mobile and surgical x-ray systems, and Applicare, a leading supplier
of web-based archiving and imaging services. In 1998, the business completed
three strategic acquisitions: Marquette Medical Systems, a global leader in
diagnostic cardiology and patient monitoring devices, Diasonics Vingmed
Ultrasound, a leading maker of cardiac ultrasound systems, and Elscint Ltd.,
which enhances Medical Systems' position in the nuclear imaging and magnetic
resonance imaging segments. See page 53 of the 2001 Annual Report to Share
Owners for information about orders and backlog of GE Medical Systems.
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GE Global eXchange Services (GXS) operates one of the largest
business-to-business e-commerce networks in the world. GXS provides an extensive
range of software and services to optimize and digitize customer supply chain
management. From Integration Solutions, which enable information sharing across
internal applications and between business partners, to Interchange Solutions,
which provide electronic machine-to-machine communications across trading
communities and finally Marketplace Solutions, with internet-based offerings for
cost effective public and private exchanges, GXS provides tools to add value and
lower costs for global B2B e-commerce.
Serving a range of customers with special needs (which are rapidly
changing in areas such as medical and information systems), businesses in this
segment compete against a variety of both U.S. and non-U.S. manufacturers or
services operations. Technological competence and innovation, excellence in
design, high product performance, quality of services and competitive pricing
are among the key factors affecting competition for these products and services.
Throughout the world, demands on health care providers to control costs have
become much more important for the Medical Systems business.
GECS
GE Capital Services (46.3%, 51.0% and 49.9% of consolidated revenues in
2001, 2000, and 1999, respectively) consists of ownership of two principal
subsidiaries which, together with their affiliates, constitute GE's principal
financial services businesses. GE Capital Services is the sole owner of the
common stock of General Electric Capital Corporation ("GE Capital") and GE
Global Insurance Holding Corporation ("GE Global Insurance Holdings").
GE Capital's activities are subject to a variety of federal and state
regulations including, at the U.S. Federal level, the Consumer Credit Protection
Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and certain regulations issued by the
Federal Trade Commission. A majority of states have ceilings on rates chargeable
to customers in retail time sales transactions, installment loans and revolving
credit financing. Certain GECS consolidated affiliates are restricted from
remitting funds to GECS in the form of dividends or loans by a variety of
regulations, the purpose of which is to protect affected insurance
policyholders, depositors or investors. GECS international operations are also
subject to regulation in their respective jurisdictions. To date, compliance
with the regulations discussed above has not had a material adverse effect on GE
Capital's financial position or results of operations.
GECS businesses are generally affected by general business and economic
conditions in countries in which GECS conducts business. When overall economic
conditions deteriorate in those countries, there generally are adverse effects
on GECS operations, although those effects are dynamic and complex. For example,
a downturn in employment or economic growth in a particular national or regional
economy will generally increase the pressure on customers, which generally will
result in deterioration of repayment patterns and a reduction in the value of
collateral. However, in such a downturn, demand for loans and other products and
services offered by GECS may actually increase. Interest rates, another
macro-economic factor, are important to GECS businesses. In the lending and
leasing businesses, higher real interest rates increase GECS cost to borrow
funds, but also provide higher levels of return on new investments. For GECS
operations that are less directly linked to interest rates, such as the
insurance operations, rate changes generally affect returns on investment
portfolios. Further information about business and financial risks affecting
GECS can be found in its Annual Report on Form 10-K.
12
On March 28, 1991, GE entered into an agreement to make payments to GE
Capital, constituting additions to pre-tax income, to the extent necessary to
cause the ratio of earnings to fixed charges of GE Capital and consolidated
affiliates (determined on a consolidated basis) to be not less than 1.10 for the
period, as a single aggregation, of each GE Capital fiscal year commencing with
fiscal year 1991. The agreement can only be terminated by written notice and
termination is not effective until the third anniversary of the date of such
notice. GE Capital's ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the years 2001,
2000 and 1999, respectively, were 1.72, 1.52 and 1.60, substantially above the
level at which payments would be required. Under a separate agreement, GE has
committed to make a capital contribution to GE Capital in the event certain GE
Capital preferred stock is redeemed and caused the GE Capital debt-to-equity
ratio, excluding from equity all net unrealized gains and losses on investment
securities, to exceed 8 to 1.
GECS businesses are categorized for management purposes into five
operating activities: consumer services, equipment management, mid-market
financing, specialized financing and specialty insurance. Very few of the
products financed by GECS are manufactured by GE. A description of the principal
businesses included in each of GECS operating activities follows.
CONSUMER SERVICES
GE Financial Assurance ("GEFA") provides consumers financial security
solutions by selling a wide variety of insurance, investment and retirement
products, payment protection insurance and income protection packages, primarily
in North America, Europe and Asia. These products help consumers invest, protect
and retire and are sold through a family of regulated insurance and annuity
affiliates. GEFA's principal product lines in North America and Asia are
annuities (deferred and immediate, fixed and variable), life insurance
(universal, term, ordinary and group), guaranteed investment contracts including
funding agreements, long-term care insurance, accident and health insurance,
personal lines of automobile insurance and consumer club memberships. GEFA's
principal product lines and services in Europe are payment protection insurance
(designed to protect customers' loan repayment obligations), personal investment
products, and travel and personal accident insurance, as well as management of
uninsured loss claims on behalf of victims of traffic accidents. GEFA's product
distribution in North America, Europe and Asia is accomplished primarily through
four channels: intermediaries (brokerage general agencies, banks and securities
brokerage firms), dedicated sales forces and financial advisors, worksites, and
direct and affinity based marketing (through Internet, telemarketing, and direct
mail).
GE Capital Auto Financial Services ("AFS") provided financial services
in North America to automobile dealers, manufacturers, banks, financing
companies and the consumer customers of those entities, both through traditional
channels and through the Internet. In the United States, AFS was a leading
independent provider of leases for new and used motor vehicles and of non-prime
financing products. In addition, AFS offered inventory financing programs,
off-lease vehicle sales, productivity enhancing Internet solutions, and direct
loans to the industry. On November 29, 2000, AFS announced its decision to
discontinue originating new lease, loan and commercial transactions effective
December 1, 2000. Since that date, AFS operations have consisted of servicing
their existing portfolios and re-marketing off-lease vehicles.
13
GE Card Services ("CS") is a leading provider of sales financing services
to North American retailers in a broad range of consumer industries. Details of
financing plans differ, but include customized private-label credit card
programs with retailers and inventory financing programs with manufacturers,
distributors and retailers. CS offers customized private-label credit card
solutions designed to attract and retain customers for retailers such as
JCPenney, ExxonMobil, Wal-Mart, The Home Depot, Sam's Club, Macy's and Lowe's.
CS provides financing directly to customers of retailers or purchases the
retailers' customer receivables. Most of the retailers sell a variety of
products of various manufacturers on a time sales basis. The terms for these
financing plans differ according to the size of contract and credit standing of
the customer. Financing is provided to consumers under contractual arrangements,
both with and without recourse to retailers. CS' wide range of financial
services includes application processing, sales authorization, statement
billings, customer services and collection services. CS provides inventory
financing for retailers primarily in the appliance and consumer electronics
industries. CS maintains a security interest in the inventory financed and
retailers are obliged to maintain insurance coverage for the merchandise
financed. Additionally, CS issues and services the GE Capital Corporate Card
product, providing payment and information systems which help medium and
large-sized companies reduce travel costs, and the GE Capital Purchasing Card
product, which helps customers streamline their purchasing and accounts payable
processes.
GE Capital Global Consumer Finance ("GCF") is a leading provider of
credit and insurance products and services to non-U.S. retailers and consumers.
GCF provides private-label credit cards and proprietary credit services to
retailers in Europe, Asia and, to a lesser extent, Central and South America,
including Tesco, The Home Depot, Metro, and Wal-Mart, as well as offering a
variety of direct-to-consumer credit programs such as consumer loans, auto loans
and finance leases, mortgages, debt consolidation, bankcards and the
distribution of credit insurance. GCF provides financing to consumers through
operations in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, the Caribbean, the Czech
Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy,
Japan, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of
Ireland, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, and the United
Kingdom. In March, May and September 2001, GCF closed transactions increasing a
former minority interest in Budapest Bank in Hungary to a 99% majority holding.
Budapest Bank is a commercial and retail bank offering a variety of consumer and
small business financing products and new services such as electronic banking.
In June 2001, GCF acquired igroup Limited, a leading provider of mortgage and
debt consolidation products to the UK market, which is based in Watford,
England.
GE Capital Mortgage Services, Inc. ("Mortgage Services") engaged
primarily in the business of originating, purchasing, selling and servicing
residential mortgage loans collateralized by one-to-four-family homes located
throughout the United States. Mortgage Services obtained servicing through the
origination and purchase of mortgage loans and servicing rights, and primarily
packaged the loans it originated and purchased into mortgage-backed securities
which it sold to investors. Mortgage Services also originated and serviced home
equity loans. On September 29, 2000, Mortgage Services closed on a transaction
with a major mortgage company, which is owned by a major national bank holding
company, to subservice Mortgage Services' mortgage servicing portfolio and to
acquire Mortgage Services' servicing facility and mortgage origination business.
Mortgage Services retains its financial interest in the servicing portfolio and
the related assets, which are now being managed by GE Capital Mortgage Insurance
(see page 18), and the results of which are now included in Specialty Insurance.
As a result of this transaction, Mortgage Services exited the business of
originating, purchasing and selling of residential mortgage loans.
14
EQUIPMENT MANAGEMENT
GE Capital Aviation Services ("GECAS"), the world's foremost aircraft
leasing company, is a global commercial aviation financial services business
that offers a broad range of financial products to airlines, aircraft operators,
owners, lenders and investors. Financial solutions provided to customers include
operating leases, sale/leasebacks, aircraft purchasing and trading, financing
leases, engine/spare parts financing, pilot training, fleet planning and
financial advisory services. GECAS owns approximately 1,000 aircraft and manages
approximately 300 on behalf of third parties. In addition, it has planes on
order or on option from Boeing, Airbus, Dornier, Embraer and Bombardier. GECAS
has over 200 customers in over 60 countries.
GE Capital Fleet Services ("Fleet") is one of the leading corporate
fleet management companies with operations in North America, Europe, Australia,
New Zealand and Japan and has approximately 1.2 million cars and trucks under
lease and service management. Fleet offers finance and operating leases to
several thousand customers. The business via Web applications and other unique
channels, delivers productivity solutions that drive commercial vehicle cost
savings to company fleets of all sizes. The primary product in North America is
a terminal rental adjustment clause lease through which the customer assumes the
residual risk - that is, risk that the book value will be greater than market
value at lease termination. In Europe, the primary product is a closed-end lease
in which Fleet assumes residual risk. In addition to the services directly
associated with the lease, Fleet offers value-added fleet management services
designed to reduce customers' total fleet management costs. These services
include, among others, web-based vehicle ordering and reporting, maintenance
management programs, accident services, national account purchasing programs,
fuel programs, title and licensing services and strategic cost analysis
consulting. Fleet's customer base is diversified with respect to industry and
geography and includes many Fortune 500 companies.
GE Capital Information Technology Solutions ("IT Solutions") is a
provider of a broad array of information technology products and services,
including full life cycle services that provide customers with cost-effective
control and management of their information systems. Products offered include
desktop personal computers, client server systems, UNIX systems, local and wide
area network hardware, and software. Services offered include network design,
network support, asset management, help desk, disaster recovery, enterprise
management and financial services. IT Solutions serves commercial, educational
and governmental customers in 13 countries. During 2001, IT Solutions exited,
including through sales of portions of business units, its operations in France
and the United Kingdom.
In April 1999, Transport International Pool and GE Capital Modular
Space were consolidated to generate cost savings and management synergies. This
merger has resulted in the elimination of duplicate support functions and the
integration of back offices. Transport International Pool ("TIP") is one of the
global leaders in renting, leasing, selling and financing transportation
equipment. With more than 40 years of experience in the renting, leasing and
selling of trailers, TIP's mission is to provide customers with products and
services that help them increase productivity and lower operating costs. TIP's
fleet of over 390,000 dry freight, refrigerated and double vans, flatbeds,
intermodal assets, and specialized trailers is available for rent, lease or
purchase at over 200 locations in the United States, Europe, Canada, and Mexico.
TIP's commercial vehicle fleet of over 35,000 units is available for rent,
lease, or purchase in the United Kingdom. TIP also finances new and used
trailers and buys trailer fleets. TIP's customer base comprises trucking
companies, railroads, shipping lines, manufacturers and retailers. GE Capital
Modular Space ("Modular Space") provides commercial mobile and modular
15
structures for rental, lease and sale from over 100 facilities in the United
States, Europe, Canada and Mexico. The buildings are provided with flexible
customized financing, turnkey services and dedicated local sales staff. The
primary markets served include construction, education, healthcare, financial,
commercial, institutional and government. Modular Space products are available
as custom mobile and modular buildings, designed to customer specifications, or
are available through the Modular Space stock fleet of approximately 120,000
mobile and modular units.
GE SeaCo SRL ("GE SeaCo") is a joint venture between GE Capital and Sea
Containers Ltd., which operates the combined marine container fleets of Genstar
Container Corporation ("Genstar") and Sea Containers Ltd. GE SeaCo is one of the
world's largest lessors of marine shipping containers with a combined fleet of
over 900,000 twenty foot equivalent units of dry cargo, refrigerated and
specialized containers for global cargo transport. Lessees are primarily
shipping lines that lease on a long term or master lease basis.
GE Capital is a limited partner in Penske Truck Leasing Co. L.P.
("Penske"), which is a leading provider of full-service truck leasing and
commercial and consumer truck rental in the United States and Canada. Penske
operates through a national network of full-service truck leasing and rental
facilities. At December 31, 2001, Penske had a fleet of about 145,000 tractors,
trucks and trailers in its leasing and rental fleets and provided contract
maintenance programs or other support services for about 50,000 additional
vehicles. Penske also provides dedicated logistics operations support which
combines company-employed drivers with its full-service lease vehicles to
provide dedicated contract carriage services. In addition, Penske offers supply
chain services such as distribution consulting, warehouse management and
information systems support. In February 2001, Penske acquired Rollins Truck
Leasing Corporation for approximately $2 billion in cash and assumed debt.
Rollins Truck Leasing Corporation was one of the largest national full-service
truck leasing and rental companies, with locations in the United States and
Canada.
GE American Communications ("Americom") engaged primarily as a
satellite service supplier to a diverse array of customers, including the
broadcast and cable TV industries, as well as broadcast radio. It also supplied
integrated communications services for government and commercial customers.
Americom also operated communications satellites and maintained a supporting
network of earth stations, central terminal offices, and telemetry, tracking and
control facilities. On November 9, 2001, GECS exchanged the stock of Americom
and other related assets and liabilities for a combination of cash and stock in
SES Global ("SES"), a leading satellite company. As a result of the transaction,
GE Capital now owns 30.7% of the combined operations of both Americom and SES.
The investment in the combined entity is now part of the Structured Finance
Group.
GE Capital Rail Services ("GERSCO") is one of the leading railcar
leasing companies in North America, with a fleet of 190,000 railcars in its
total portfolio. Serving Class 1 and short-line railroads and shippers
throughout North America, GERSCO offers one of the most diverse fleets in the
industry and a variety of lease options. GERSCO also owns and operates a network
of railcar repair and maintenance facilities located throughout North America.
The repair facilities offer a variety of services, ranging from light
maintenance to heavy repair of damaged railcars. The company also provides
railcar management, administration and other services. In addition, GERSCO is a
pan-European provider of rail transport services, offering a broad range of
railcar equipment and rail-related services to railroads, shippers and other
transport providers.
16
MID-MARKET FINANCING
GE Capital Commercial Equipment Financing ("CEF") offers large and
small companies with a broad line of innovative financial solutions including
leases and loans to middle-market customers, including manufacturers,
distributors, dealers and end-users, as well as municipal financing and
facilities financing, in such areas as construction equipment, corporate
aircraft, medical equipment, trucks and trailers. It also furnishes customers
with direct-source tax-exempt finance programs, as well as lease and
sale/leaseback offerings. Products are either held for CEF's own account or
brokered to third parties. Generally, transactions range in size from $50
thousand to $50 million, with financing terms from 36 to 180 months. CEF also
maintains an asset management operation that redeploys off-lease and repossessed
equipment and other assets. During 2001, CEF purchased the stock of Franchise
Finance Corporation of America and certain assets and liabilities from Mellon
Financial Corporation and SAFECO Corporation. The purchase price for these
acquisitions amounted to approximately $4.4 billion.
GE Capital Commercial Finance ("CF") is a leading global provider of
innovative financing, primarily revolving and term debt and equity to finance
acquisitions, business expansion, bank refinancings, recapitalizations and other
special situations. Products also include asset securitization facilities,
capital expenditure lines and bankruptcy-related facilities, as well as
factoring services. Loan transactions range in size from under $10 million to
over $200 million. CF's clients are owners, managers and buyers of both public
and private companies, principally manufacturers, distributors, retailers and
diversified service providers, and CF has industry specialists in the retail,
media and communications, and high technology industries. Through its Merchant
Banking Group, CF provides senior debt, subordinated debt and bridge financing
to buyout and private equity firms, and co-invests in equity with buying groups
or invests directly on a select basis.
GE Capital Vendor Financial Services ("VFS") provides financial
solutions and services to over 100 equipment manufacturers and more than 4,500
dealers/distributors in North America, Europe and Asia (including Japan),
enabling them to offer financing options to their customers. With nearly $20
billion in served assets, VFS helps its partners focus on their core businesses
and improve sales by providing flexible financial solutions and services.
Customers include major U.S. and non-U.S. manufacturers in a variety of
industries including information technology, office equipment, healthcare,
telecommunications, energy and industrial equipment. VFS establishes sales
financing in two ways - by forming captive partnerships with manufacturers that
do not have them, and by outsourcing captive partnerships from manufacturers
that do (captive partnerships provide sales financing solely for products of a
given manufacturer). VFS offers industry-specific knowledge, leading edge
technology, leasing and equipment expertise, and global capabilities. In
addition, VFS provides an expanding array of related financial services to
customers, including trade payables services. In June 2001, VFS acquired the
Manufacturer and Dealer Services business (MDS) of Mellon Leasing for
approximately $480 million. MDS provides financial services for office equipment
and industrial equipment manufacturers. In September 2001, VFS signed a
framework agreement with Xerox to form a Joint Venture, Xerox Capital Services.
Through this joint venture, VFS will become the primary financing provider for
Xerox customers across the United States.
GE European Equipment Finance ("EEF") is one of Europe's leading
diversified equipment leasing businesses, offering financial solutions on a
single-country and pan-European basis. Customers include manufacturers, vendors
and end-users in industries such as office imaging, materials handling,
corporate aircraft, information technology, broadcasting, machine tools,
telecommunications and transportation. Products and services include loans,
leases, master lease coordination and other services, such as helping end-users
increase purchasing power through financing options and helping manufacturers
and vendors to offer leasing programs. For financial reporting purposes, EEF's
operating results are allocated to CEF and VFS.
17
In October 2001, GECS acquired Heller Financial, Inc. (Heller
Financial) for approximately $5.3 billion. At December 31, 2001, GECS has
reported Heller Financial as a stand-alone entity within Mid-Market Financing
due to the proximity of the acquisition to year-end. During 2002, GECS will
report Heller Financial's operations with those businesses with which they were
combined, primarily Commercial Finance, VFS and CEF. In addition, one of the
strongest Heller Financial/GE Capital synergies was achieved when their
healthcare businesses were combined to create a new business to meet the
financial needs of the dynamic healthcare industry, called Healthcare Financial
Services. Overall, Heller Financial provides financing solutions to
middle-market and small business clients including collateralized cash flow and
asset based lending, secured real estate financing, debt and lease equipment
financing and small businesses financing. Heller Financial originates
transactions in the United States through its 62 domestic office locations and
internationally through a network of wholly-owned subsidiaries and joint venture
commercial finance companies in 22 countries outside the United States. Heller
Financial concentrates primarily on senior secured lending, with approximately
90% of consolidated lending assets and investments at December 31, 2001 being
made on that basis. Heller Financial's primary clients and customers are
entities in the manufacturing and service sectors having annual sales generally
in the range of $5 million to $250 million and in the real estate sector having
property values generally in the range of $1 million to $40 million.
SPECIALIZED FINANCING
GE Capital Real Estate ("Real Estate") provides funds for the
acquisition, refinancing and renovation of a wide range of apartment buildings,
industrial properties, multi-family housing, retail facilities and offices
located throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Asia. Real
Estate also provides asset management services to real estate investors and
selected services to real estate owners. Real Estate is one of the world's
leading providers of capital and services to the global commercial real estate
market, providing debt and equity for real estate operators, developers, REITs
and opportunity funds to allow them to meet their acquisition, refinancing and
renovation needs. Lending is a major portion of Real Estate's business in the
form of intermediate-term senior or subordinated fixed and floating-rate loans
secured by existing income-producing commercial properties such as office
buildings, rental apartments, shopping centers, industrial buildings, mobile
home parks, hotels and warehouses. Loans range in amount from single-property
mortgages typically not less than $5 million to multi-property portfolios of
several hundred million dollars. Approximately 90% of all loans are senior
mortgages. Real Estate purchases and provides restructuring financing for
portfolios of real estate, mortgage loans, limited partnerships, and tax-exempt
bonds. Real Estate's business also includes the origination and securitization
of low leverage real estate loans, which are intended to be held less than one
year before outplacement. Additionally, Real Estate provides equity capital for
real estate partnerships through the holding of limited partnership interests
and receives preferred returns; typically such investments range from $2 million
to $10 million. Real Estate also offers a variety of asset management services
to outside investors, institutions, corporations, investment banks, and others
through its real estate services subsidiaries. Asset management services include
acquisitions and dispositions, strategic asset management, asset restructuring,
and debt and equity management. In addition, Real Estate offers owners of
multi-family housing ways to reduce costs and enhance value in properties by
offering buying services (e.g., for appliances and roofing).
GE Capital Structured Finance Group ("SFG") provides innovative
financial solutions through equity, debt and structured investments to clients
throughout the world. SFG's clients are primarily in the energy,
telecommunications, industrial and transportation sectors and range from
household names to early stage businesses. SFG combines industry and technical
expertise to deliver a full range of sophisticated financial services and
18
products. Services include corporate finance, acquisition finance and project
finance (construction and term). Products include a variety of debt and equity
instruments, as well as structured transactions, including leases and
partnerships. SFG manages an investment portfolio of approximately $17 billion.
GE Equity purchases equity investments in early-stage, early growth,
pre-IPO companies with a primary objective of long-term capital appreciation. GE
Equity's portfolio consists primarily of direct investments in convertible
preferred and common stocks in both public and private companies; GE Equity also
participates in certain investment limited partnerships. The portfolio includes
investments in the technology and communications, media and entertainment,
business services, financial services and healthcare sectors. The portfolio is
geographically diversified with investments located throughout the United
States, as well as in Latin America, Europe and Asia.
SPECIALTY INSURANCE
GE Global Insurance Holdings, together with its affiliates, writes
substantially all lines of reinsurance and certain lines of property and
casualty insurance. GE Global Insurance Holdings has three principal
subsidiaries: Employers Reinsurance Corporation, GE Reinsurance Corporation and
Medical Protective Corporation. These affiliates, together with their direct and
indirect subsidiaries, reinsure property and casualty risks written by more than
1,000 insurers around the world. They also write certain specialty lines of
insurance on a direct basis, principally excess workers' compensation for
self-insurers, medical malpractice coverage for physicians and dentists, errors
and omissions coverage for insurance agents and brokers, excess indemnity for
self-insurers of medical benefits, and libel and allied torts. Other property
and casualty affiliates write excess and surplus lines insurance. The life
reinsurance affiliates are engaged in the reinsurance of life insurance
products, including term, whole and universal life, annuities, group long-term
health products and the provision of financial reinsurance to life insurers.
FGIC Holdings ("FGIC"), through its subsidiary, Financial Guaranty
Insurance Company ("Financial Guaranty"), is an insurer of municipal bonds,
including new issues, bonds traded in the secondary market and bonds held in
unit investment trusts and mutual funds. Financial Guaranty also guarantees
certain taxable structured debt. The in force guaranteed principal, after
reinsurance, amounted to approximately $174 billion at December 31, 2001.
Approximately 84% of the business written by Financial Guaranty is municipal
bond insurance. FGIC subsidiaries provide a variety of services to state and
local governments and agencies, liquidity facilities in variable-rate
transactions, municipal investment products and other services.
GE Capital Mortgage Insurance ("Mortgage Insurance") helps families
become homeowners by smoothing the way for customers to obtain low-down-payment
mortgages while protecting lenders and investors against the risks of default.
It enables more than a quarter million families per year to obtain
low-down-payment mortgages and now has a no-down-payment product as well.
Mortgage Insurance is engaged principally in providing residential mortgage
guaranty insurance in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia.
At December 31, 2001, Mortgage Insurance was the mortgage insurance carrier for
over 1.9 million residential homes, with total insurance in force aggregating
approximately $184 billion and total risk in force aggregating approximately $80
billion. When a valid claim is received, Mortgage Insurance either pays up to a
guaranteed percentage based on the specified coverage, or pays the mortgage and
delinquent interest, taking title to the property and arranging for its sale.
19
ALL OTHER
All other consists primarily of Montgomery Ward, LLC ("Wards") from
August 2, 1999, when GECS acquired control of the retailer upon its emergence
from bankruptcy reorganization, to December 28, 2000, when Wards again filed for
bankruptcy protection. The retailer is substantially liquidated.
GEOGRAPHIC SEGMENTS, EXPORTS FROM THE U.S. AND TOTAL INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS
Financial data for geographic segments (based on the location of the
Company operation supplying goods or services and including exports from the
U.S. to unaffiliated customers) are reported in note 28 to consolidated
financial statements on page 88 of the 2001 Annual Report to Share Owners.
Additional financial data about GE's exports from the U.S. and total
international operations are provided on pages 57-58 of the 2001 Annual Report
to Share Owners.
ORDERS BACKLOG
See pages 50, 52-53 and 64 of the 2001 Annual Report to Share Owners
for information about GE's backlog of unfilled orders.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Total expenditures for research and development were $2,349 million in
2001. Total expenditures had been $2,193 million in 2000 and $2,017 million in
1999. Of these amounts, $1,980 million in 2001 was GE-funded ($1,867 million in
2000 and $1,667 million in 1999); and $369 million in 2001 was funded by
customers ($326 million in 2000 and $350 million in 1999), principally the U.S.
government. Aircraft Engines accounts for the largest share of GE's research and
development expenditures from both GE and customer funds. Medical Systems, Power
Systems, Transportation Systems and Plastics made other significant expenditures
of GE and customer research and development funds.
Approximately 9,739 person-years of scientist and engineering effort
were devoted to research and development activities in 2001, with about 90% of
the time involved primarily in GE-funded activities.
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
See pages 58 and 82 of GE's 2001 Annual Report to Share Owners for a
discussion of environmental matters.
EMPLOYEE RELATIONS
At year-end 2001, General Electric Company and consolidated affiliates
employed 310,000 persons, of whom approximately 158,000 were in the United
States. For further information about employees, see page 65 of the 2001 Annual
Report to Share Owners.
20
Approximately 28,200 GE manufacturing and service employees in the
United States are represented for collective bargaining purposes by a total of
approximately 150 different local collective bargaining groups. A majority of
such employees are represented by union locals that are affiliated with, and
bargain in conjunction with, the International Union of Electronic, Electrical,
Salaried, Machine and Furniture Workers (IUE/CWA-AFL-CIO). During 2000, General
Electric Company negotiated three-year contracts with unions representing a
substantial majority of those United States employees who are represented by
unions. Most of these contracts will terminate in June 2003. NBC is party to
approximately 100 labor agreements covering about 2,000 staff employees (and a
large number of freelance employees) in the United States. These agreements are
with various labor unions, expire at various dates and are generally for a term
ranging from three to five years.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
See Part III, Item 10 of this 10-K Report for information about
Executive Officers of the Registrant.
OTHER
Because of the diversity of the Company's products and services, as
well as the wide geographic dispersion of its production facilities, the Company
uses numerous sources for the wide variety of raw materials needed for its
operations. The Company has not been adversely affected by inability to obtain
raw materials.
The Company owns, or holds licenses to use, numerous patents. New
patents are continuously being obtained through the Company's research and
development activities as existing patents expire. Patented inventions are used
both within the Company and licensed to others, but no operating segment is
substantially dependent on any single patent or group of related patents.
Agencies of the U.S. Government constitute GE's largest single
customer. An analysis of sales of goods and services as a percentage of revenues
follows:
% of Consolidated Revenues % of GE Revenues
---------------------------- ---------------------------
2001 2000 1999 2001 2000 1999
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Total sales to U.S. Government Agencies 2% 2% 2% 3% 3% 3%
Aircraft Engines defense-related sales 2 1 1 3 2 3
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Manufacturing operations are carried out at approximately 142
manufacturing plants located in 37 states in the United States and Puerto Rico
and at 169 manufacturing plants located in 33 other countries.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
GENERAL
As previously reported, on March 12, 1993, a complaint was filed in
United States District Court for the District of Connecticut by ten employees of
the Company's former Aerospace business, purportedly on behalf of all GE
Aerospace employees whose GE employment status is or was affected by the then
planned transfer of GE Aerospace to a new company controlled by the stockholders
of Martin Marietta Corporation. The complaint sought to clarify and enforce the
21
plaintiffs' claimed rights to pension benefits in accordance with, and rights to
assets then held in, the GE Pension Plan (the "Plan"). The complaint named the
Company, the trustees of the GE Pension Trust ("Trust"), and Martin Marietta
Corporation and one of its former plan administrators as defendants. The
complaint alleged primarily that the Company's planned transfer of certain
assets of the Trust to a Martin Marietta pension trust, in connection with the
transfer of the Aerospace business, violated the rights of the plaintiffs under
the Plan and applicable provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security
Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code. The complaint sought equitable and
declaratory relief, including an injunction against transfer of the Plan assets
except under circumstances and protections, if any, approved by the court, an
order that the Company disgorge all profits allegedly received by it as a result
of any such transfer and the making of restitution to the Trust for alleged
investment losses resulting from the Company's treatment of Plan assets in
connection with the transaction or alternatively the transfer of additional
assets from the Trust to a new Martin Marietta pension trust, and an order
requiring Martin Marietta to continue to offer transferred employees all accrued
pension-related benefits for which they were eligible under the Plan as of the
closing date of the transfer of the GE Aerospace business to Martin Marietta. On
March 23, 1993, the Company and Martin Marietta Corporation filed motions to
dismiss the complaint on the basis that the complaint did not state any claim
upon which relief can be granted as a matter of law. On April 2, 1993, the
transfer of the Aerospace business occurred, and on June 7, 1993, the court
issued an order denying plaintiffs' request for injunctive relief. On September
26, 1996, the District Court granted defendants' motion to dismiss those claims
which were based on allegations that the transfer of plan assets was unlawful,
and ordered discovery on the remaining claims. On September 28, 1998, the class
was certified as to the remaining claims. On March 29, 2000, the District Court
dismissed the complaint. Plaintiffs filed an appeal from the District Court's
order. On March 2, 2001, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals held in favor of GE
on all counts and affirmed the District Court's rulings. On September 6, 2001,
plaintiffs filed a petition for certiorari with the Supreme Court. On December
10, 2001, plaintiffs' petition for certiorari was denied.
As previously reported, the directors serving on the Board in 1991 and
certain officers were defendants in a civil suit purportedly brought on behalf
of the Company as a shareholder derivative action by Leslie McNeil, Harold
Sachs, Arun Shingala and Paul and Harriet Luts (the McNeil action) in New York
State Supreme Court on November 19, 1991. The suit alleged the Company was
negligent and engaged in fraud in connection with the design and construction of
containment systems for nuclear power plants and contended that, as a result, GE
had incurred significant financial liabilities and was potentially exposed to
additional liabilities from claims brought by the Company's customers. The suit
alleged breach of fiduciary duty by the defendants and sought unspecified
compensatory damages and other relief. On March 31, 1992, the defendants filed
motions to dismiss the suit. On September 28, 1992, the court denied the motions
as premature but ruled that they may be renewed after the completion of limited
discovery. Defendants moved for reconsideration of that order, and on April 3,
1993, the court granted defendants' motion for reconsideration and directed that
discovery be stayed pending the filing of an amended complaint. Plaintiffs filed
an amended complaint on March 18, 1994, alleging breach of fiduciary duty, waste
and indemnification claims. On June 5, 2000, the court dismissed the amended
complaint, and on July 11, 2000, the plaintiffs filed a notice of intent to
appeal. In 2001, the plaintiffs' time for filing their appeal expired.
ENVIRONMENTAL
In January, 2002, the company entered into discussions with the New
York State Department of Environmental Conservation regarding potential
noncompliance with the state's Clean Water Act at its Waterford, NY facility.
22
The state alleges spills and discharges in excess of permitted limits as well as
reporting violations. The state has stated that it will be seeking a penalty in
excess of $250,000.
For further information regarding environmental matters, see pages 58
and 82 of GE's 2001 Annual Report to Share Owners.
It is the view of management that the above described proceeding will
not have a material effect on the Company's financial position, results of
operations, liquidity or competitive position.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
MATTERS
With respect to "Stock Exchange Information", in the United States, GE
common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (its principal market) and
on the Boston Stock Exchange. GE common stock also is listed on The Stock
Exchange, London. Trading, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.,
Composite Transactions Tape, and dividend information follows:
COMMON STOCK MARKET PRICE
-------------------------
(IN DOLLARS) DIVIDENDS
HIGH LOW DECLARED
---- --- --------
2001
Fourth quarter $41.59 $35.88 $.18
Third quarter 49.59 28.25 .16
Second quarter 52.90 38.57 .16
First quarter 47.99 35.98 .16
2000
Fourth quarter $59.94 $47.19 $.16
Third quarter 60.50 49.50 .13 2/3
Second quarter 55.98 47.69 .13 2/3
First quarter 54.96 41.67 .13 2/3
The per-share amounts and share data above have been adjusted to reflect the
3-for-1 stock split effective on April 27, 2000. As of December 31, 2001, there
were about 634,000 share owner accounts of record.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Reported as data for revenues; net earnings; net earnings per share
(basic and diluted); dividends declared; dividends declared per share; long-term
borrowings; and total assets appearing on page 65 of the 2001 Annual Report to
Share Owners.
23
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Reported on pages 48-50 and 52-66 (and graphs on pages 48, 49, 52, 53,
56, 57, 61 and 64) of the Annual Report to Share Owners for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2001.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Reported on page 60 of the Annual Report to Share Owners for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2001.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
See index under item 14.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF REGISTRANT
Executive Officers of the Registrant (As of March 8, 2002)
Date assumed
Executive Officer
Name Position Age Position
---- -------- --- --------
Jeffrey R. Immelt Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer 46 January 1997
Philip D. Ameen Vice President and Comptroller 53 April 1994
James R. Bunt Vice President and Treasurer 60 January 1993
David L. Calhoun Senior Vice President, GE Aircraft Engines 44 June 1995
James P. Campbell Senior Vice President, GE Appliances 44 April 2001
William J. Conaty Senior Vice President, Human Resources 56 October 1993
Dennis D. Dammerman Vice Chairman of the Board and Executive Officer 56 March 1984
Scott C. Donnelly Senior Vice President, Research and Development 40 August 2000
Matthew J. Espe Senior Vice President, GE Lighting 43 May 2000
Yoshiaki Fujimori Senior Vice President, GE Plastics 50 June 2001
Benjamin W. Heineman, Jr Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary 58 September 1987
Joseph M. Hogan Senior Vice President, GE Medical Systems 44 November 2000
Robert A. Jeffe Senior Vice President, Business Development 52 December 2001
John Krenicki, Jr Vice President, GE Transportation Systems 39 March 2000
Robert W. Nelson Vice President, Financial Planning and Analysis 61 September 1991
Gary M. Reiner Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer 47 January 1991
John G. Rice Senior Vice President, GE Power Systems 45 September 1997
Gary L. Rogers Vice Chairman of the Board and Executive Officer 57 December 1989
Keith S. Sherin Senior Vice President, Finance, and Chief Financial Officer 43 January 1999
Lloyd G. Trotter Senior Vice President, GE Industrial Systems 56 November 1992
William A. Woodburn Senior Vice President, GE Specialty Materials 51 June 2001
Robert C. Wright Vice Chairman of the Board and Executive Officer 58 July 2000
All Executive Officers are elected by the Board of Directors for an initial term
which continues until the first Board meeting following the next annual
statutory meeting of share owners and thereafter are elected for one-year terms
24
or until their successors have been elected. All Executive Officers have been
executives of GE for the last five years except Robert A. Jeffe. Mr. Jeffe was a
managing director of Credit Suisse first Boston prior to joining GE in 2001.
The remaining information called for by this item is incorporated by
reference to "Election of Directors" in the definitive proxy statement relating
to the registrant's Annual Meeting of Share Owners to be held April 24, 2002.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Incorporated by reference to "Board of Directors and Committees,"
"Summary Compensation Table," "Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights" and
"Retirement Benefits" in the definitive proxy statement relating to the
registrant's Annual Meeting of Share Owners to be held April 24, 2002.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
Incorporated by reference to "Information relating to Directors,
Nominees and Executive Officers" in the registrant's definitive proxy statement
relating to its Annual Meeting of Share Owners to be held April 24, 2002.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Incorporated by reference to "Certain Transactions" in the registrant's
definitive proxy statement relating to its Annual Meeting of Share Owners to be
held April 24, 2002.
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a)1. Financial statements applicable to General Electric Company and
consolidated affiliates are contained on the page(s) indicated in the GE Annual
Report to Share Owners for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001.
Annual 10-K
Report Report
Page(s) Page(s)
------- -------
Statement of earnings for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999 42 F-2
Consolidated statement of changes in share owners' equity 42 F-2
for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999
Statement of financial position at December 31, 2001 and 2000 44 F-4
Statement of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999 46 F-6
Independent Auditors' Report 92 F-52
Other financial information:
Notes to consolidated financial statements 67-92 F-27 to F-52
Operating segment information 50-57 F-10 to F-17
86-87 F-46 to F-47
Geographic segment information 88 F-48
Operations by quarter (unaudited) 92 F-52
(a)2. The schedules listed in Reg. 210.5-04 have been omitted because
they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the consolidated
financial statements or notes thereto.
25
(a)3. Exhibit Index
(3) The Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and By-laws,
as amended, of General Electric Company are incorporated by reference
to Exhibit (3) of General Electric's Current Report on Form 8-K dated
April 27, 2000.
(4) Agreement to furnish to the Securities and Exchange
Commission upon request a copy of instruments defining the rights of
holders of certain long-term debt of the registrant and consolidated
subsidiaries.*
(10) All of the following exhibits consist of Executive
Compensation Plans or Arrangements:
(a) General Electric Incentive Compensation Plan, as
amended effective July 1, 1991. (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10(a) to General Electric Annual Report on Form 10-K
(Commission file number 1-35) for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1991.)
(b) General Electric Insurance Plan for Directors.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(i) to General
Electric Annual Report on Form 10-K (Commission file number
1-35) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1980.)
(c) General Electric Financial Planning Program, as
amended through September 1993. (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10(h) to General Electric Annual Report on Form 10-K
(Commission file number 1-35) for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1993.)
(d) General Electric Supplemental Life Insurance
Program, as amended February 8, 1991. (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10(i) to General Electric Annual Report
on Form 10-K (Commission file number 1-35) for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1990.)
(e) General Electric Directors' Retirement and
Optional Life Insurance Plan. (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10(l) to General Electric Annual Report on Form 10-K
(Commission file number 1-35) for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1986.)
(f) General Electric 1987 Executive Deferred Salary
Plan. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(k) to General
Electric Annual Report on Form 10-K (Commission file number
1-35) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1987.)
(g) General Electric 1991 Executive Deferred Salary
Plan. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(n) to General
Electric Annual Report on Form 10-K (Commission file number
1-35) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1990.)
(h) General Electric 1994 Executive Deferred Salary
Plan. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(o) to General
Electric Annual Report on Form 10-K (Commission file number
1-35) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993.)
(i) General Electric Directors' Charitable Gift Plan,
as amended through May 1993. (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10(p) to General Electric Annual Report on Form 10-K
(Commission file number 1-35) for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1993.)
26
(j) General Electric Leadership Life Insurance
Program, effective January 1, 1994. (Incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10(r) to General Electric Annual Report on Form
10-K (Commission file number 1-35) for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1993.)
(k) General Electric 1996 Stock Option Plan for
Non-Employee Directors. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
A to the General Electric Proxy Statement for its Annual
Meeting of Share Owners held on April 24, 1996.)
(l) General Electric 1995 Executive Deferred Salary
Plan. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(t) to General
Electric Annual Report on Form 10-K (Commission file number
1-35) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995.)
(m) General Electric 1996 Executive Deferred Salary
Plan. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(v) to General
Electric Annual Report on Form 10-K (Commission file number
1-35) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996.)
(n) Employment and Post-Retirement Consulting
Agreement Between General Electric Company and John F. Welch,
Jr. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(w) to General
Electric Annual Report on Form 10-K (Commission file number
1-35) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996.)
(o) General Electric 1997 Executive Deferred Salary
Plan. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(t) to General
Electric Annual Report on Form 10-K (Commission file number
1-35) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997.)
(p) General Electric 1990 Long Term Incentive Plan as
restated and amended effective August 1, 1997. (Incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10(u) to General Electric Annual
Report on Form 10-K (Commission file number 1-35) for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1997.)
(q) General Electric Deferred Compensation Plan for
Directors, as amended December 19, 1997. (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10(v) to General Electric Annual Report
on Form 10-K (Commission file number 1-35) for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1997.)
(r) General Electric 1998 Executive Deferred Salary
Plan. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(v) to General
Electric Annual Report on Form 10-K (Commission file number
1-35) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998.)
(s) General Electric Non-Employee Director Fee Plan
(Formerly the Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors).
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(w) to General
Electric Annual Report on Form 10-K (Commission file number
1-35) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998.)
(t) General Electric 1999 Executive Deferred Salary
Plan. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(v) to General
Electric Annual Report on Form 10-K (Commission file number
1-35) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999.)
27
(u) General Electric 2000 Executive Deferred Salary
Plan. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(u) to General
Electric Annual Report on Form 10-K (Commission file number
1-35) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000.)
(v) General Electric Supplementary Pension Plan, as
amended effective July 1, 2000. (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10(v) to General Electric Annual Report on Form 10-K
(Commission file number 1-35) for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2000.)
(w) Form of GE Executive Life Insurance Agreement
provided to GE officers, as revised September 2000.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(w) to General
Electric Annual Report on Form 10-K (Commission file number
1-35) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000.)
(x) General Electric 2001 Executive Deferred Salary
Plan.*
(11) Statement re Computation of Per Share Earnings.**
(12) Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.*
(21) Subsidiaries of Registrant.*
(23) Consent of independent auditors incorporated by reference
in each Prospectus constituting part of the Registration Statements on
Form S-3 (Registration Nos. 33-47085, 33-50639, 33-61029, 33-61029-01,
333-46551, 333-59671 and 333-71778), on Form S-4 (Registration Nos.
333-01947 and 333-42442) and on Form S-8 (Registration Nos. 2-84145,
33-35922, 333-01953, 333-96287, 333-42695, 333-74415, 333-83164 and
333-57734).*
(24) Power of Attorney.*
(99)(a)Income Maintenance Agreement, dated March 28, 1991,
between the registrant and General Electric Capital Corporation.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 28(a) to General Electric Annual
Report on Form 10-K (Commission file number 1-35) for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1990.)
(99)(b)Undertaking for Inclusion in Registration Statements on
Form S-8 of General Electric Company. (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 99(b) to General Electric Annual Report on Form 10-K
(Commission file number 1-35) for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1992.)
(99)(c)Letter, dated June 29, 1995, from Dennis D. Dammerman
of General Electric Company to Gary C. Wendt of General Electric
Capital Corporation pursuant to which General Electric Company agrees
to provide additional equity to General Electric Capital Corporation in
conjunction with certain redemptions by General Electric Capital
Corporation of share of its Variable Cumulative Preferred Stock.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99(g) to General Electric Capital
Corporation's Registration Statement on Form S-3, File No. 33-61257.)
* Filed electronically herewith.
28
** Information required to be presented in Exhibit 11 is now provided
in note 8 to the 2001 Annual Report to Share Owners in accordance
with the provisions of FASB Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards (SFAS) No. 128, EARNINGS PER SHARE.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K during the quarter ended December 31, 2001.
A Form 8-K was filed on October 2, 2001 announcing the termination
of the GE and Honeywell merger agreement.
29
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this annual report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001, to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, and in the capacities indicated, thereunto duly authorized in the
Town of Fairfield and State of Connecticut on the 8th day of March 2002.
General Electric Company
(Registrant)
By /s/ Keith S. Sherin
-------------------------------------
Keith S. Sherin
Senior Vice President, Finance, and
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
30
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signer Title Date
/s/ Keith S. Sherin Principal Financial Officer March 8, 2002
------------------------------
Keith S. Sherin
Senior Vice President, Finance,
and Chief Financial Officer
/s/ Philip D. Ameen Principal Accounting Officer March 8, 2002
------------------------------
Philip D. Ameen
Vice President and Comptroller
Jeffrey R. Immelt* Chairman of the Board of Directors
(Principal Executive Officer)
James I. Cash, Jr.* Director
Silas S. Cathcart* Director
Dennis D. Dammerman* Director
Paolo Fresco* Director
Ann M. Fudge* Director
Claudio X. Gonzalez* Director
Andrea Jung Director
Kenneth G. Langone* Director
Rochelle B. Lazarus* Director
Scott G. McNealy Director
Gertrude G. Michelson* Director
Sam Nunn* Director
Roger S. Penske* Director
Frank H.T. Rhodes Director
Gary L. Rogers Director
Andrew C. Sigler* Director
Douglas A. Warner III* Director
Robert C. Wright* Director
A majority of the Board of Directors
*By /s/ Robert E. Healing.
----------------------
Robert E. Healing
Attorney-in-fact
March 8, 2002
F-1
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 41
FINANCIAL SECTION
CONTENTS
AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
42 Earnings
42 Changes in Share Owners' Equity
44 Financial Position
46 Cash Flows
67 Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION
48 Operations
48 Consolidated Operations
50 Segment Operations
57 International Operations
58 Financial Resources and Liquidity
64 Critical Accounting Policies
64 Selected Financial Data
92 INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Events of 2001 have stressed the world's economy and capital markets. At GE,
having well informed, confident investors is a critical management objective. We
take full responsibility for this objective, adopting appropriate accounting
policies and devoting our full, unyielding commitment to ensuring that those
policies are applied properly and consistently. We make every effort to report
in a manner that is relevant, complete and understandable. We welcome and
evaluate each suggestion from those who use our reports. Management meets its
responsibility for this objective in the following ways:
RIGOROUS MANAGEMENT OVERSIGHT. Members of our corporate leadership team
review each of our businesses at least six times a year on matters ranging from
overall strategy and financial performance to staffing and compliance. Our
business leaders constantly monitor real-time financial and operating systems
that enable early identification of, and responses to, opportunities and
potential issues. Our Board of Directors oversees management's conduct of the
business, and our Audit Committee, consisting entirely of outside directors,
oversees the Company's internal system of financial controls.
DEDICATION TO CONTROLLERSHIP. We maintain a dynamic system of internal financial
controls designed to ensure accurate financial record-keeping, protection of
physical and intellectual property and efficient use of resources. We recruit
and retain a world-class financial team, including more than 450 internal
auditors who conduct thousands of audits each year in every geographic area and
every GE business. Senior management and the Audit Committee oversee the scope
and results of these reviews. We continuously reinforce key employee
responsibilities around the world through our integrity policies, which require
compliance with law and policy, including financial integrity and avoiding
conflicts of interest. These integrity policies, published in 27 languages, are
provided to each of our more than 300,000 global employees. Our internal
auditors conduct extensive inquiries into compliance with these policies. Our
strong compliance culture requires employees to raise any concerns and prohibits
retribution for doing so. We hold all employees, including top management,
accountable for compliance with our integrity policies.
VISIBILITY TO INVESTORS. As one of the most widely followed companies in the
world, we are keenly aware of the importance of full and open presentation of
our financial position and operating results. We hold more than 200 analyst and
investor meetings every year and communicate all material information covered in
those meetings to the public. Investors have given GE 16 first-place awards in
the last five years as reported by INVESTOR RELATIONS magazine. We are in
regular contact with representatives of the major rating agencies and our debt
continues to receive their highest ratings. We welcome the strong oversight of
our financial reporting by our independent audit firm, KPMG LLP, whose
representatives have direct access to the Audit Committee. Their report for 2001
appears on page 92.
Great companies are built on the foundation of accurate financial information
and compliance with the law. The financial information in this report is an
important part of that foundation. We present that information proudly, with the
goal that those who use it will understand GE and share our confidence in its
future.
/s/ Jeffrey R. Immelt /s/ Keith S. Sherin
Jeffrey R. Immelt Keith S. Sherin
Chairman of the Board Senior Vice President, Finance,
and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer February 8, 2002
F-2
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 42
STATEMENT OF EARNINGS
General Electric Company
and consolidated affiliates
-----------------------------------
For the years ended December 31 (In millions; per-share amounts in dollars) 2001 2000 1999
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REVENUES
Sales of goods $ 52,677 $ 54,828 $ 47,785
Sales of services 18,722 18,126 16,283
Other income (note 2) 234 436 798
Earnings of GECS before accounting changes -- -- --
GECS revenues from services (note 3) 54,280 56,463 46,764
----------------------------------
Total revenues 125,913 129,853 111,630
----------------------------------
COSTS AND EXPENSES (note 4)
Cost of goods sold 35,678 39,312 34,554
Cost of services sold 13,419 12,511 11,404
Interest and other financial charges 11,062 11,720 10,013
Insurance losses and policyholder and annuity benefits 15,062 14,399 11,028
Provision for losses on financing receivables (note 13) 2,481 2,045 1,671
Other costs and expenses 28,162 30,993 27,018
Minority interest in net earnings of consolidated affiliates 348 427 365
----------------------------------
Total costs and expenses 106,212 111,407 96,053
----------------------------------
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND ACCOUNTING CHANGES 19,701 18,446 15,577
Provision for income taxes (note 7) (5,573) (5,711) (4,860)
----------------------------------
EARNINGS BEFORE ACCOUNTING CHANGES 14,128 12,735 10,717
Cumulative effect of accounting changes (note 1) (444) -- --
----------------------------------
NET EARNINGS $ 13,684 $ 12,735 $ 10,717
=================================================================================================================
PER-SHARE AMOUNTS (note 8)
Per-share amounts before accounting changes
Diluted earnings per share $ 1.41 $ 1.27 $ 1.07
Basic earnings per share $ 1.42 $ 1.29 $ 1.09
Per-share amounts after accounting changes
Diluted earnings per share $ 1.37 $ 1.27 $ 1.07
Basic earnings per share $ 1.38 $ 1.29 $ 1.09
=================================================================================================================
DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER SHARE $ 0.66 $ 0.57 $ 0.48 2/3
=================================================================================================================
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHARE OWNERS' EQUITY
(In millions) 2001 2000 1999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHANGES IN SHARE OWNERS' EQUITY (note 24)
Balance at January 1 $ 50,492 $ 42,557 $ 38,880
------------------------------
Dividends and other transactions with share owners (7,529) (3,044) (4,632)
------------------------------
Changes other than transactions with share owners
Increase attributable to net earnings 13,684 12,735 10,717
Investment securities--net (306) (552) (1,776)
Currency translation adjustments (562) (1,204) (632)
Derivatives qualifying as hedges (955) -- --
------------------------------
Total changes other than transactions with share owners 11,861 10,979 8,309
------------------------------
Balance at December 31 $ 54,824 $ 50,492 $ 42,557
============================================================================================
The notes to consolidated financial statements on pages 67-92 are an integral
part of these statements.
F-3
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 43
STATEMENT OF EARNINGS (CONT)
GE GECS
For the years ended December 31 (In millions; ---------------------------- ----------------------------
per-share amounts in dollars) 2001 2000 1999 2001 2000 1999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REVENUES
Sales of goods $ 49,057 $ 45,427 $ 39,045 $ 3,627 $ 9,408 $ 8,740
Sales of services 18,961 18,380 16,600 -- -- --
Other income (note 2) 433 498 856 -- -- --
Earnings of GECS before accounting changes 5,586 5,192 4,443 -- -- --
GECS revenues from services (note 3) -- -- -- 54,726 56,769 47,009
---------------------------- ----------------------------
Total revenues 74,037 69,497 60,944 58,353 66,177 55,749
---------------------------- ----------------------------
COSTS AND EXPENSES (note 4)
Cost of goods sold 32,419 30,782 26,578 3,266 8,537 7,976
Cost of services sold 13,658 12,765 11,721 -- -- --
Interest and other financial charges 817 811 810 10,598 11,111 9,359
Insurance losses and policyholder and annuity benefits -- -- -- 15,062 14,399 11,028
Provision for losses on financing receivables (note 13) -- -- -- 2,481 2,045 1,671
Other costs and expenses 8,637 8,392 7,732 19,817 22,767 19,433
Minority interest in net earnings of consolidated affiliates 185 213 179 163 214 186
---------------------------- ----------------------------
Total costs and expenses 55,716 52,963 47,020 51,387 59,073 49,653
---------------------------- ----------------------------
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND ACCOUNTING CHANGES 18,321 16,534 13,924 6,966 7,104 6,096
Provision for income taxes (note 7) (4,193) (3,799) (3,207) (1,380) (1,912) (1,653)
---------------------------- ----------------------------
EARNINGS BEFORE ACCOUNTING CHANGES 14,128 12,735 10,717 5,586 5,192 4,443
Cumulative effect of accounting changes (note 1) (444) -- -- (169) -- --
---------------------------- ----------------------------
NET EARNINGS $ 13,684 $ 12,735 $ 10,717 $ 5,417 $ 5,192 $ 4,443
==========================================================================================================================
In the consolidating data on this page, "GE" means the basis of consolidation as
described in note 1 to the consolidated financial statements; "GECS" means
General Electric Capital Services, Inc. and all of its affiliates and associated
companies. Transactions between GE and GECS have been eliminated from the
"General Electric Company and consolidated affiliates" columns on page 42.
F-4
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 44
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
General Electric Company
and consolidated affiliates
---------------------------
At December 31 (In millions) 2001 2000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents $ 9,082 $ 8,195
Investment securities (note 9) 101,017 91,339
Current receivables (note 10) 9,590 9,502
Inventories (note 11) 8,565 7,812
Financing receivables (investments in time sales, loans and
financing leases)--net (notes 12 and 13) 174,032 143,299
Insurance receivables (note 14) 27,317 23,802
Other GECS receivables 11,105 11,714
Property, plant and equipment (including equipment leased
to others)--net (note 15) 42,140 40,015
Investment in GECS -- --
Intangible assets--net (note 16) 31,649 27,441
All other assets (note 17) 80,526 73,887
------------------------
TOTAL ASSETS $ 495,023 $ 437,006
==========================================================================================
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Short-term borrowings (note 18) $ 153,076 $ 119,180
Accounts payable, principally trade accounts 18,158 14,853
Progress collections and price adjustments accrued 11,751 8,271
Dividends payable 1,787 1,589
All other current costs and expenses accrued 14,132 12,219
Long-term borrowings (note 18) 79,806 82,132
Insurance liabilities, reserves and annuity benefits (note 19) 114,223 106,150
All other liabilities (note 20) 32,921 28,494
Deferred income taxes (note 21) 9,130 8,690
------------------------
Total liabilities 434,984 381,578
------------------------
Minority interest in equity of consolidated affiliates (note 22) 5,215 4,936
------------------------
Common stock (9,925,938,000 and 9,932,006,000 shares outstanding
at year-end 2001 and 2000, respectively) 669 669
Accumulated gains/(losses)--net
Investment securities (232) 74
Currency translation adjustments (3,136) (2,574)
Derivatives qualifying as hedges (955) --
Other capital 16,693 15,195
Retained earnings 68,701 61,572
Less common stock held in treasury (26,916) (24,444)
------------------------
Total share owners' equity (notes 24 and 25) 54,824 50,492
------------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY $ 495,023 $ 437,006
==========================================================================================
The sum of accumulated gains/(losses) on investment securities, currency
translation adjustments, and derivatives qualifying as hedges constitutes
"Accumulated nonowner changes other than earnings," as shown in note 24, and was
$(4,323) and $(2,500) at year-end 2001 and 2000, respectively.
The notes to consolidated financial statements on pages 67-92 are an integral
part of this statement.
F-5
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 45
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION (CONT)
GE GECS
--------------------- ---------------------
At December 31 (In millions) 2001 2000 2001 2000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents $ 10,447 $ 7,210 $ 7,314 $ 6,052
Investment securities (note 9) 879 1,009 100,138 90,330
Current receivables (note 10) 9,805 9,727 -- --
Inventories (note 11) 8,295 7,146 270 666
Financing receivables (investments in time sales, loans and
financing leases)--net (notes 12 and 13) -- -- 174,032 143,299
Insurance receivables (note 14) -- -- 27,317 23,802
Other GECS receivables -- -- 13,267 13,288
Property, plant and equipment (including equipment leased
to others)--net (note 15) 12,799 12,199 29,341 27,816
Investment in GECS 28,590 23,022 -- --
Intangible assets--net (note 16) 12,932 12,424 18,717 15,017
All other assets (note 17) 25,986 24,028 55,088 50,366
--------------------- ---------------------
TOTAL ASSETS $ 109,733 $ 96,765 $ 425,484 $ 370,636
==============================================================================================================
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Short-term borrowings (note 18) $ 1,722 $ 940 $ 160,844 $ 123,992
Accounts payable, principally trade accounts 6,680 6,153 13,705 10,436
Progress collections and price adjustments accrued 11,751 8,271 -- --
Dividends payable 1,787 1,589 -- --
All other current costs and expenses accrued 14,132 12,219 -- --
Long-term borrowings (note 18) 787 841 79,091 81,379
Insurance liabilities, reserves and annuity benefits (note 19) -- -- 114,223 106,150
All other liabilities (note 20) 16,089 14,840 16,647 13,451
Deferred income taxes (note 21) 1,013 452 8,117 8,238
--------------------- ---------------------
Total liabilities 53,961 45,305 392,627 343,646
--------------------- ---------------------
Minority interest in equity of consolidated affiliates (note 22) 948 968 4,267 3,968
--------------------- ---------------------
Common stock (9,925,938,000 and 9,932,006,000 shares outstanding
at year-end 2001 and 2000, respectively) 669 669 1 1
Accumulated gains/(losses)--net
Investment securities (232) 74 (348) 4
Currency translation adjustments (3,136) (2,574) (840) (957)
Derivatives qualifying as hedges (955) -- (890) --
Other capital 16,693 15,195 5,989 2,752
Retained earnings 68,701 61,572 24,678 21,222
Less common stock held in treasury (26,916) (24,444) -- --
--------------------- ---------------------
Total share owners' equity (notes 24 and 25) 54,824 50,492 28,590 23,022
--------------------- ---------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY $ 109,733 $ 96,765 $ 425,484 $ 370,636
==============================================================================================================
In the consolidating data on this page, "GE" means the basis of consolidation as
described in note 1 to the consolidated financial statements; "GECS" means
General Electric Capital Services, Inc. and all of its affiliates and associated
companies. Transactions between GE and GECS have been eliminated from the
"General Electric Company and consolidated affiliates" columns on page 44.
F-6
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 46
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
General Electric Company
and consolidated affiliates
------------------------------
For the years ended December 31 (In millions) 2001 2000 1999
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH FLOWS--OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net earnings $ 13,684 $ 12,735 $ 10,717
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash provided
from operating activities
Cumulative effect of accounting changes 444 -- --
Depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment 5,370 5,039 4,908
Amortization of goodwill and other intangibles 1,719 2,697 1,783
Earnings (before accounting changes) retained by GECS -- -- --
Deferred income taxes 1,426 1,153 1,502
Decrease (increase) in GE current receivables 197 (537) 143
Decrease (increase) in inventories (485) (924) 266
Increase in accounts payable 4,676 3,297 820
Increase (decrease) in insurance liabilities and reserves 8,194 (1,009) 4,584
Provision for losses on financing receivables 2,481 2,045 1,671
All other operating activities (5,511) (1,806) (1,801)
------------------------------
CASH FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 32,195 22,690 24,593
------------------------------
CASH FLOWS--INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Additions to property, plant and equipment (15,520) (13,967) (15,502)
Dispositions of property, plant and equipment 7,345 6,767 6,262
Net increase in GECS financing receivables (13,952) (16,076) (12,628)
Payments for principal businesses purchased (12,429) (2,332) (11,654)
All other investing activities (5,558) (12,091) (8,657)
------------------------------
CASH USED FOR INVESTING ACTIVITIES (40,114) (37,699) (42,179)
------------------------------
CASH FLOWS--FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net increase (decrease) in borrowings (maturities of 90 days or less) 20,482 (8,243) 6,171
Newly issued debt (maturities longer than 90 days) 32,071 47,645 48,158
Repayments and other reductions (maturities longer than 90 days) (37,001) (32,762) (27,539)
Net dispositions (purchases) of GE shares for treasury (2,435) 469 (1,002)
Dividends paid to share owners (6,358) (5,401) (4,587)
All other financing activities 2,047 12,942 622
------------------------------
CASH FROM (USED FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES 8,806 14,650 21,823
------------------------------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND EQUIVALENTS DURING YEAR 887 (359) 4,237
Cash and equivalents at beginning of year 8,195 8,554 4,317
------------------------------
Cash and equivalents at end of year $ 9,082 $ 8,195 $ 8,554
=====================================================================================================
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOWS INFORMATION
Cash paid during the year for interest $(11,125) $(11,617) $(10,078)
Cash recovered (paid) during the year for income taxes (1,487) (2,604) (1,597)
=====================================================================================================
The notes to consolidated financial statements on pages 67-92 are an integral part of this statement.
F-7
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 47
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (CONT)
GE GECS
----------------------------- -------------------------------
For the years ended December 31 (In millions) 2001 2000 1999 2001 2000 1999
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH FLOWS--OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net earnings $ 13,684 $ 12,735 $ 10,717 $ 5,417 $ 5,192 $ 4,443
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash provided
from operating activities
Cumulative effect of accounting changes 444 -- -- 169 -- --
Depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment 1,919 1,725 1,735 3,451 3,314 3,173
Amortization of goodwill and other intangibles 580 523 584 1,139 2,174 1,199
Earnings (before accounting changes) retained by GECS (3,625) (3,370) (2,777) -- -- --
Deferred income taxes 564 470 655 862 683 847
Decrease (increase) in GE current receivables 207 (550) 190 -- -- --
Decrease (increase) in inventories (881) (663) (61) 396 (261) 327
Increase in accounts payable 364 845 104 4,804 3,047 699
Increase (decrease) in insurance liabilities and reserves -- -- -- 8,194 (1,009) 4,584
Provision for losses on financing receivables -- -- -- 2,481 2,045 1,671
All other operating activities 3,941 3,701 616 (9,314) (5,901) (2,124)
----------------------------- -------------------------------
CASH FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 17,197 15,416 11,763 17,599 9,284 14,819
----------------------------- -------------------------------
CASH FLOWS--INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Additions to property, plant and equipment (2,876) (2,536) (2,036) (12,644) (11,431) (13,466)
Dispositions of property, plant and equipment -- 53 -- 7,345 6,714 6,262
Net increase in GECS financing receivables -- -- -- (13,952) (16,076) (12,628)
Payments for principal businesses purchased (1,436) (1,156) (1,594) (10,993) (1,176) (10,060)
All other investing activities (1,535) (234) (432) (7,557) (12,173) (8,283)
----------------------------- -------------------------------
CASH USED FOR INVESTING ACTIVITIES (5,847) (3,873) (4,062) (37,801) (34,142) (38,175)
----------------------------- -------------------------------
CASH FLOWS--FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net increase (decrease) in borrowings (maturities of 90 days or less) 327 (1,331) (1,230) 23,634 (2,121) 7,308
Newly issued debt (maturities longer than 90 days) 1,303 785 558 30,752 46,887 47,605
Repayments and other reductions (maturities longer than 90 days) (950) (855) (615) (36,051) (31,907) (26,924)
Net dispositions (purchases) of GE shares for treasury (2,435) 469 (1,002) -- -- --
Dividends paid to share owners (6,358) (5,401) (4,587) (1,961) (1,822) (1,666)
All other financing activities -- -- -- 5,090 12,942 622
----------------------------- -------------------------------
CASH FROM (USED FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES (8,113) (6,333) (6,876) 21,464 23,979 26,945
----------------------------- -------------------------------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND EQUIVALENTS DURING YEAR 3,237 5,210 825 1,262 (879) 3,589
Cash and equivalents at beginning of year 7,210 2,000 1,175 6,052 6,931 3,342
----------------------------- -------------------------------
Cash and equivalents at end of year $ 10,447 $ 7,210 $ 2,000 $ 7,314 $ 6,052 $ 6,931
====================================================================================================================================
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOWS INFORMATION
Cash paid during the year for interest $ (358) $ (388) $ (482) $(10,767) $(11,229) $ (9,596)
Cash recovered (paid) during the year for income taxes (1,616) (1,804) (1,246) 129 (800) (351)
====================================================================================================================================
In the consolidating data on this page, "GE" means the basis of consolidation as
described in note 1 to the consolidated financial statements; "GECS" means
General Electric Capital Services, Inc. and all of its affiliates and associated
companies. Transactions between GE and GECS have been eliminated from the
"General Electric Company and consolidated affiliates" columns on page 46.
F-8
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 48
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION OF OPERATIONS
OVERVIEW
General Electric Company's consolidated financial statements represent the
combination of manufacturing and nonfinancial services businesses of General
Electric Company (GE) and the accounts of General Electric Capital Services,
Inc. (GECS).
Management's Discussion of Operations is presented in three parts:
Consolidated Operations, Segment Operations and International Operations.
CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS
General Electric Company achieved record earnings and cash generation in 2001,
demonstrating the benefits of its diverse business portfolio and continuing
emphasis on globalization, growth in services, Digitization and Six Sigma
Quality.
Revenues were $125.9 billion in 2001, a decrease of 3% from $129.9 billion
in 2000, reflecting a 6% increase in GE's industrial business revenues partially
offsetting a 12% decrease at GECS. As described on page 53, GECS revenues in
both years included the revenues of certain businesses significantly impacted by
strategic repositioning activities. Excluding such activities, consolidated
revenues increased 4%. Revenues in 2000 increased 16% from $111.6 billion in
1999, reflecting continued growth from global activities and services.
Earnings before accounting changes increased to a record $14,128 million in
2001, an 11% increase from $12,735 million in 2000. Per-share earnings before
accounting changes increased to $1.41 during 2001, up 11% from the prior year's
$1.27. (Except as otherwise noted, earnings per share are presented on a diluted
basis.) The cumulative effect of accounting changes related to the adoption, as
of January 1, 2001, of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) 133, ACCOUNTING FOR DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES, as amended, and the consensus of the FASB's Emerging
Issues Task Force on Issue 99-20, RECOGNITION OF INTEREST INCOME AND IMPAIRMENT
ON PURCHASED AND RETAINED BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN SECURITIZED FINANCIAL ASSETS.
Adoption of these standards resulted in a one-time, non-cash reduction of
earnings of $444 million ($0.04 per share). After these required accounting
changes, 2001 earnings and earnings per share were $13,684 million and $1.37,
respectively. Earnings and earnings per share in 2000 rose 19% from $10,717
million and $1.07, respectively, in 1999.
MAJOR PROVISIONS OF NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS that may be significant to GE's
financial statements in the future are described in the following paragraphs.
SFAS 141, BUSINESS COMBINATIONS, and SFAS 142, GOODWILL AND OTHER
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, modify the accounting for business combinations, goodwill and
identifiable intangible assets. As of January 1, 2002, all goodwill and
indefinite-lived intangible assets must be tested for impairment and a
transition adjustment will be recognized. Management has not yet determined the
exact amount of goodwill impairment under these new standards, but believes the
non-cash transition charge to earnings will be approximately $1.0 billion ($0.10
per share) and recognized in the first quarter of 2002. Amortization of goodwill
will cease as of January 1, 2002, and, thereafter, all goodwill and any
indefinite-lived intangible assets must be tested at least annually for
impairment. The effect of the non-amortization provisions on 2002 operations
will be affected by 2002 acquisitions and cannot be forecast, but if these rules
had applied to goodwill in 2001, management believes that full-year 2001 net
earnings would have increased by approximately $1.1 billion ($0.11 per share).
SFAS 143, ACCOUNTING FOR ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS, requires recognition
of the fair value of obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived
assets when there is a legal obligation to incur such costs. This amount is
accounted for like an additional element of the corresponding asset's cost, and
is depreciated over that asset's useful life. SFAS 143 will be effective for GE
on January 1, 2003. Management has not yet determined the effect of adopting
this standard on GE's financial position and results of operations.
DIVIDENDS DECLARED in 2001 amounted to $6,555 million. Per-share dividends of
$0.66 were up 16% from 2000, following a 17% increase from the preceding year.
GE has rewarded its share owners with 26 consecutive years of dividend growth.
GE's dividend growth for the past five years has significantly outpaced dividend
growth of companies in the Standard & Poor's 500 stock index.
[GRAPH HERE]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GE/S&P CUMULATIVE DIVIDEND GROWTH SINCE 1996
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GE 12.84% 30.87% 53.49% 81.18% 109.66%
S&P 500 4.03 8.72 11.68 12.08 5.64
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RETURN ON AVERAGE SHARE OWNERS' EQUITY was 27.1% (excluding the effect of
accounting changes) in 2001, about the same as in 2000. The 2000 return on
average share owners' equity improved from 26.8% in 1999.
Except as otherwise noted, the analysis in the remainder of this section
presents GE results with GECS reported on an equity basis.
GE TOTAL REVENUES were $74.0 billion in 2001, compared with $69.5 billion in
2000 and $60.9 billion in 1999.
o GE sales of goods and services were $68.0 billion in 2001, an increase of
7% from 2000, which in turn was 15% higher than in 1999. Volume was about
7% higher in 2001, reflecting strong double-digit increases at Power
Systems and Medical Systems, somewhat offset by decreases across most of
the short-cycle businesses, particularly NBC, Plastics and Specialty
F-9
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 49
Materials. While overall selling prices were essentially flat in 2001, the
effects of selling prices in various reporting segments differed markedly.
The net effect in 2001 of exchange rates on sales denominated in currencies
other than the U.S. dollar was slightly negative. Volume in 2000 was about
16% higher than in 1999, with selling price and currency effects both
slightly negative.
For purposes of the financial statement display of sales and costs of
sales on pages 42 and 43, "goods" is required by U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission regulations to include all sales of tangible products,
and "services" must include all other sales, including broadcasting and
information services activities. GE sales of both spare parts (goods) and
repair services, referred to here by management as "product services
revenues," constitute an important part of operations. Sales of product
services were $18.8 billion in 2001, a 13% increase over 2000. Increases in
product services revenues in 2001 and 2000 were widespread, led by
continued strong growth at Power Systems, Medical Systems and
Transportation Systems. Operating margin from product services was
approximately $4.7 billion, up 17% from 2000 on a comparable basis. The
increase reflected improvements in most product services businesses and was
led by Power Systems and Medical Systems.
o GE other income, earned from a wide variety of sources, was $0.4 billion in
2001, $0.5 billion in 2000 and $0.9 billion in 1999. Other income in 1999
included a pre-tax gain of $0.4 billion resulting from the contribution of
certain of NBC's media properties to NBC Internet (NBCi), a former
publicly-traded company, in exchange for a noncontrolling interest in NBCi.
o Earnings of GECS before accounting changes were $5,586 million, up 8% in
2001, following a 17% increase the year before. See page 53 for an analysis
of these earnings.
PRINCIPAL COSTS AND EXPENSES for GE are those classified as costs of goods and
services sold, and selling, general and administrative expenses. Several GE
initiatives had significant effects on costs:
o The Six Sigma Quality initiative has lowered GE's costs by reducing rework,
simplifying processes and reducing direct material costs.
o Globalization has reduced costs through sourcing of products and services
in lower-cost countries.
o Digitization has also reduced costs by providing GE businesses the ability
to simplify and streamline processes, while investing in internal
infrastructure hardware and software, enabling them to conduct a growing
portion of their business over the Internet. Benefits from this initiative
include improved customer service, expanded product and service offerings
and increased operating efficiency for both GE and its customers.
Primarily because of the funding status of the GE Pension Plan and other retiree
benefit plans, principal U.S. postretirement benefit plans (the plans)
contributed $1,480 million, $1,266 million and $1,062 million to pre-tax
earnings (6.8%, 6.5% and 6.5% of earnings before accounting changes) in 2001,
2000 and 1999, respectively. See notes 5 and 6 for information about funding
status and actuarial assumptions of the plans. Postretirement benefit costs are
expected to increase in 2002 for a number of reasons, including reduction in the
assumed annual return on assets from 9.5% to 8.5%, reduction in the discount
rate from 7.5% to 7.25% and effects of increases in healthcare costs. In 2002,
management expects these plans to contribute approximately $700 million to
pre-tax earnings. This estimate will not affect the funding status of the GE
Pension Plan; management does not anticipate GE making contributions to that
Plan. The present funding status of the plans provides assurance of benefits for
GE plan participants, but future effects on operating results and funding depend
on economic conditions and investment performance.
Costs and expenses in 1999 included $326 million of unusual charges, the
largest of which resulted from liabilities associated with past activities at
former manufacturing sites that are not part of any current business segment,
and costs for rationalizing certain operations and facilities of the worldwide
industrial businesses. Major elements of the restructuring program included
costs for employee severance, lease termination, dismantlement and site
restoration. The program was essentially complete by the end of 2000.
[GRAPH HERE]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GE OPERATING MARGIN AS A PERCENTAGE OF SALES
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As reported 11.0% 16.7% 17.3% 18.6% 19.6%
Restructuring and other
unusual charges 4.7 -- 0.5 0.3 --
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATING MARGIN is sales of goods and services less the costs of goods and
services sold, and selling, general and administrative expenses. GE operating
margin reached a record 19.6% of sales in 2001, up from a comparable 18.9% in
2000 and 17.8% in 1999. The continued improvement in operating margin in 2001
was led by Power Systems and Aircraft Engines, reflecting increasing benefits
from the Digitization, product services and Six Sigma Quality initiatives.
Reported operating margin was 18.6% in 2000, including the costs of a one-time
retirement benefit provision associated with the labor agreement concluded in
the third quarter of that year. Reported operating margin in 1999 was 17.3% of
sales, including the $326 million of unusual charges discussed in the preceding
paragraph.
F-10
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 50
TOTAL COST PRODUCTIVITY (sales in relation to costs, both on a constant dollar
basis) in 2001 was 2.2% as productivity in long-cycle businesses, particularly
Power Systems and Medical Systems, was partially offset by negative productivity
across several short-cycle businesses, particularly Plastics, reflecting volume
declines. In 2000, total cost productivity of 3.6% reflected benefits from
improvements in base cost productivity achieved through strong volume growth and
the Digitization and Six Sigma Quality initiatives.
GE INTEREST AND OTHER FINANCIAL CHARGES in 2001 amounted to $817 million, about
the same as 2000 and 1999. During 2001, the benefits of lower average interest
rates and lower average borrowing levels were partially offset by increased
provisions for interest on tax liabilities. During 2000, higher average interest
rates were more than offset by lower average borrowing levels.
INCOME TAXES on consolidated earnings before accounting changes were 28.3%,
compared with 31.0% in 2000 and 31.2% in 1999. A more detailed analysis of
differences between the U.S. federal statutory rate and the consolidated rate,
as well as other information about income tax provisions, is provided in note 7.
The effective tax rate of GECS decreased to 19.8% in 2001 from 26.9% in
2000 and 27.1% in 1999. The 2001 effective tax rate reflects the effects of
continuing globalization, certain transactions (see note 7), and the effect of a
pre-tax charge related to the events of September 11. The pre-tax charge related
to September 11 amounted to approximately $600 million, principally at Specialty
Insurance, and reduced the GECS effective tax rate by one percentage point.
Management expects that trends in GECS businesses, particularly the continuing
impact of globalization, are likely to result in an effective tax rate for GECS
in 2002 that will be lower than the 2000 and 1999 rates, but higher than the
2001 rate.
SEGMENT OPERATIONS
REVENUES AND SEGMENT PROFIT FOR OPERATING SEGMENTS are shown on page 51. For
additional information, including a description of the products and services
included in each segment, see note 27.
AIRCRAFT ENGINES reported a 6% increase in revenues in 2001, reflecting higher
volume in services, and sales of commercial engines and aero-derivative
products. Operating profit was 6% higher primarily as a result of volume growth
and productivity. Product services revenues following the events of September 11
have been adversely affected by reduced customer flight hours and servicing
requirements. Operating profit in 2000 increased 17% on revenues that were
slightly higher than in 1999. The improvement in operating profit reflected
strong productivity.
In 2001, revenues from sales to the U.S. government were $1.9 billion
compared with $1.6 billion in 2000.
Aircraft Engines received orders of $12.1 billion in 2001 compared with
$13.5 billion in 2000. The $11.2 billion total backlog at year-end 2001
comprised unfilled product orders of $9.4 billion (of which 56% was scheduled
for delivery in 2002) and product services orders of $1.8 billion scheduled for
2002 delivery. Comparable December 31, 2000, total backlog was $12.0 billion.
Management believes the events of September 11 will continue to adversely affect
the airline industry in 2002 with implications for existing backlog, engine
servicing revenue and future new engine orders.
APPLIANCES revenues were 1% lower than a year ago, as continued price erosion
offset modest market share gains. Operating profit decreased by 6%, largely as a
result of lower selling prices and increased program spending on new products,
which more than offset the benefits of productivity. Revenues in 2000 were 4%
higher than in 1999, as volume increases more than offset lower selling prices.
Operating profit also increased 4% in 2000, largely as a result of productivity
and higher volume from new products.
INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS AND SYSTEMS
(In millions) 2001 2000 1999
---------------------------------------------------------
REVENUES
Industrial Systems $ 4,440 $ 4,469 $4,333
Lighting 2,550 2,739 2,757
Transportation Systems 2,355 2,263 2,358
GE Supply 2,302 2,159 1,951
--------------------------
Total revenues $11,647 $11,630 $11,399
==========================
OPERATING PROFIT
Industrial Systems $ 795 $ 839 $ 760
Lighting 405 593 640
Transportation Systems 497 540 525
GE Supply 146 123 96
--------------------------
Total operating profit $ 1,843 $ 2,095 $2,021
========================================================
INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS AND SYSTEMS revenues in 2001 were relatively unchanged from
2000 levels, as higher product services revenues at Transportation Systems,
including acquisitions, more than offset selling price decreases across the
segment and lower volume at Industrial Systems. Operating profit decreased 12%
primarily as a result of the decline in selling prices and cost inflation.
Revenues rose 2% in 2000, largely as a result of volume increases at Industrial
Systems and growth in product services, including acquisitions, which more than
offset lower selling prices. Operating profit increased 4%, primarily reflecting
productivity and growth in product services.
Transportation Systems received orders of $2.6 billion in 2001, compared
with $2.1 billion in 2000. The $1.7 billion total backlog at year-end 2001
comprised unfilled product orders of $1.2 billion (of which 51% was scheduled
for delivery in 2002) and product services orders of $0.5 billion scheduled for
2002 delivery. Comparable December 31, 2000, total backlog was $1.4 billion.
F-11
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 51
SUMMARY OF OPERATING SEGMENTS
General Electric Company and consolidated affiliates
----------------------------------------------------------
For the years ended December 31 (In millions) 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REVENUES
GE
Aircraft Engines $ 11,389 $ 10,779 $ 10,730 $ 10,294 $ 7,799
Appliances 5,810 5,887 5,671 5,619 5,801
Industrial Products and Systems 11,647 11,630 11,399 11,078 10,763
Materials 7,069 8,020 7,118 6,796 6,934
NBC 5,769 6,797 5,790 5,269 5,153
Power Systems 20,211 14,861 10,099 8,500 7,986
Technical Products and Services 9,011 7,915 6,863 5,323 4,861
Eliminations (2,900) (2,101) (1,788) (1,420) (1,265)
----------------------------------------------------------
Total GE segment revenues 68,006 63,788 55,882 51,459 48,032
Corporate items (a) 445 517 619 771 3,227
Earnings of GECS before accounting changes 5,586 5,192 4,443 3,796 3,256
----------------------------------------------------------
Total GE revenues 74,037 69,497 60,944 56,026 54,515
GECS segment revenues 58,353 66,177 55,749 48,694 39,931
Eliminations (b) (6,477) (5,821) (5,063) (4,251) (3,606)
----------------------------------------------------------
CONSOLIDATED REVENUES $ 125,913 $ 129,853 $ 111,630 $ 100,469 $ 90,840
=========================================================================================================
SEGMENT PROFIT
GE
Aircraft Engines $ 2,609 $ 2,464 $ 2,104 $ 1,769 $ 1,366
Appliances 643 684 655 755 771
Industrial Products and Systems 1,843 2,095 2,021 1,815 1,662
Materials 1,596 2,015 1,725 1,649 1,627
NBC 1,602 1,797 1,576 1,349 1,216
Power Systems 5,182 2,809 1,753 1,338 1,275
Technical Products and Services 1,970 1,718 1,359 1,109 988
----------------------------------------------------------
Total GE operating profit 15,445 13,582 11,193 9,784 8,905
Earnings of GECS before accounting changes 5,586 5,192 4,443 3,796 3,256
----------------------------------------------------------
Total segment profit 21,031 18,774 15,636 13,580 12,161
Corporate items and eliminations (c) (d) (1,893) (1,429) (902) (584) (1,351)
GE interest and other financial charges (817) (811) (810) (883) (797)
GE provision for income taxes (4,193) (3,799) (3,207) (2,817) (1,810)
----------------------------------------------------------
Earnings before accounting changes 14,128 12,735 10,717 9,296 8,203
----------------------------------------------------------
Cumulative effect of accounting changes (444) -- -- -- --
----------------------------------------------------------
CONSOLIDATED NET EARNINGS $ 13,684 $ 12,735 $ 10,717 $ 9,296 $ 8,203
=========================================================================================================
The notes to consolidated financial statements on pages 67-92 are an integral
part of this statement. "GE" means the basis of consolidation as described in
note 1 to the consolidated financial statements; "GECS" means General Electric
Capital Services, Inc. and all of its affiliates and associated companies. The
segment profit measure for GE industrial businesses is operating profit
(earnings before interest and other financial charges, income taxes and
accounting changes). The segment profit measure for GECS is after-tax earnings
before accounting changes, reflecting the importance of financing and tax
considerations to its operating activities.
(a) Includes revenues of $944 million in 1997 from an appliance distribution
affiliate that was deconsolidated in 1998. Also includes $1,538 million
gain in 1997 from an exchange of preferred stock in Lockheed Martin
Corporation for the stock of a newly formed subsidiary.
(b) Principally the elimination of GECS earnings before accounting changes.
(c) Includes income, principally from licensing activities, of $88 million, $79
million, $62 million, $271 million and $310 million in 2001, 2000, 1999,
1998 and 1997, respectively.
(d) 1999 includes unusual charges amounting to $265 million. Of the total,
amounts that relate to activities of GE operating segments were as follows:
Aircraft Engines--$42 million, Appliances--$75 million, Industrial Products
and Systems--$12 million, Materials--$13 million and Technical Products and
Services--$34 million. 1997 includes unusual charges of $2,322 million. Of
the total, amounts that relate to activities of GE operating segments were
as follows: Aircraft Engines--$342 million, Appliances--$330 million,
Industrial Products and Systems--$352 million, Materials--$63 million,
NBC--$161 million, Power Systems--$437 million and Technical Products and
Services--$157 million. Also included in 1997 is a $1,538 million gain
associated with the Lockheed Martin Corporation transaction described in
(a) above.
F-12
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 52
MATERIALS
---------------------------
(In millions) 2001 2000 1999
---------------------------------------------------------
REVENUES
Plastics $ 5,252 $ 6,013 $5,315
Specialty Materials 1,817 2,007 1,803
---------------------------
Total revenues $ 7,069 $ 8,020 $7,118
===========================
OPERATING PROFIT
Plastics $ 1,257 $ 1,603 $1,366
Specialty Materials 339 412 359
---------------------------
Total operating profit $ 1,596 $ 2,015 $1,725
=========================================================
MATERIALS revenues were 12% lower than in 2000, reflecting increased pricing
pressures and lower volume at both Plastics and Specialty Materials. Plastics
experienced continued softness in the automotive, optical media,
telecommunication and business equipment markets while Specialty Materials was
adversely affected by lower sales in the semiconductor market. Operating profit
was 21% lower, primarily as a result of lower pricing and volume, and negative
base cost productivity at both Plastics and Specialty Materials. Operating
profit in 2000 increased 17% on revenues that were 13% higher than in 1999. The
increases in both revenues and operating profit were primarily attributable to
higher volume and improved selling prices at both Plastics and Specialty
Materials, which more than offset the effects of higher raw material prices.
[GRAPH HERE]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GE ORDERS BACKLOG
(In billions)
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$26.44 $28.53 $32.42 $44.17 $47.43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NBC revenues declined 15% from the record-high levels of 2000 which were 17%
higher than in 1999. Revenues in 2001 were negatively affected by a significant
decline in advertising volume and pricing, as well as lost revenue related to
coverage of the events of September 11. Revenues in 2000 benefited from
broadcast of the 2000 Summer Olympic Games as well as strong growth in cable
operations, particularly at CNBC. Operating profit decreased 11% in 2001
reflecting adverse advertising market conditions, events of September 11, and
charges resulting from dissolving the XFL, which more than offset savings from
cost reduction actions. Operating profit increased 14% in 2000 as growth in
owned-and-operated stations, cable operations and network operations was
partially offset by higher license fees associated with the renewal of certain
sports and prime-time programs.
POWER SYSTEMS operating results throughout the last three years reflected the
sharp increase in U.S. gas turbine sales of market leading "F" technology,
higher prices for those turbines and base cost productivity associated with
their manufacture. Secondarily, and with a longer-lasting effect, the portfolio
of long-term product services agreements associated with new unit sales has
generated favorable operating results. Aero-derivative units revenues also
benefited from increased demand in the power generation sector throughout this
period. Reflecting these conditions, revenues increased 36% in 2001, following
an increase of 47% in 2000. Similarly, operating profit increased 84% in 2001,
following an increase of 60% in 2000.
Power Systems orders were $24.5 billion in 2001, a 4% increase over 2000,
reflecting continued strength of the power generation business and renewed
growth in the oil and gas industry. The $28.9 billion total backlog at year-end
2001 comprised unfilled product orders of $24.1 billion (of which 75% was
scheduled for delivery in 2002) and product services orders of $4.7 billion
scheduled for 2002 delivery. Comparable December 31, 2000, total backlog was
$25.1 billion. As a result of softening demand for electric power in the U.S.
market, management is in discussions with certain customers regarding their
equipment requirements. These discussions may result in changes to contractual
agreements, including delays or cancellations. In the event of order
cancellation, contractual terms require customers to pay termination fees. In
all cases, such fees are expected to cover Power Systems' investment in the
contracts and at least a portion has generally been received as progress
collections. At least partial recovery of lost profits would also be expected.
TECHNICAL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
---------------------------
(In millions) 2001 2000 1999
---------------------------------------------------------
REVENUES
Medical Systems $ 8,409 $ 7,275 $6,171
Global eXchange Services 602 640 692
---------------------------
Total revenues $ 9,011 $ 7,915 $6,863
===========================
OPERATING PROFIT
Medical Systems $ 1,803 $ 1,569 $1,204
Global eXchange Services 167 149 155
---------------------------
Total operating profit $ 1,970 $ 1,718 $1,359
=========================================================
TECHNICAL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES revenues rose 14% in 2001, primarily as a result
of sharply higher volume at Medical Systems. Sales by businesses acquired during
the last two years accounted for 5% of Medical Systems 2001 revenues. Operating
profit grew 15%, largely as a result of productivity and volume growth as well
as higher realized gains, principally the result of disposition in 2001 of a
joint venture at Global eXchange Services. Revenues in 2000 were 15% higher than
1999 on sharply higher volume at Medical Systems. Operating profit increased 26%
in 2000, largely as a result of productivity and volume increases at Medical
Systems, which more than offset lower selling prices across the segment.
F-13
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 53
Orders received by Medical Systems in 2001 were $8.9 billion, a 17%
increase over 2000. The $4.1 billion total backlog at year-end 2001 comprised
unfilled product orders of $2.7 billion (of which 68% was scheduled for delivery
in 2002) and product services orders of $1.4 billion scheduled for 2002
delivery. Comparable December 31, 2000, total backlog was $3.6 billion.
GECS businesses are categorized for management purposes into five operating
activities: consumer services, equipment management, mid-market financing,
specialized financing and specialty insurance.
GECS earnings before accounting changes were $5,586 million in 2001, up 8%
from $5,192 million in 2000, with strong double-digit earnings growth in three
of the five operating activities. Net earnings in 2000 increased 17% from 1999.
Earnings growth throughout the three-year period resulted from origination
volume and asset growth, productivity and acquisitions of businesses and
portfolios. Principal factors in the 2001 increase were strong productivity
($0.7 billion) and lower taxes ($0.5 billion) partially offset by GE Global
Insurance Holdings ($0.5 billion) and lower realized gains on financial
instruments. Excluding effects of Paine Webber Group, Inc. (PaineWebber) in 2000
and Americom in 2001, both of which are discussed below, such pre-tax gains were
lower in 2001 by $0.5 billion ($0.3 billion after tax). Pre-tax gains on sales
of investment securities declined in 2001 by $0.5 billion, of which $0.4 billion
related to GE Equity; other GE Equity gains were $0.8 billion lower; while gains
on securitizations were up $0.8 billion from 2000.
[GRAPH HERE]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GECS REVENUES
(In billions)
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$39.93 $48.70 $55.75 $66.18 $58.35
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On November 9, 2001, GECS exchanged the stock of Americom and other related
assets and liabilities for a combination of cash and stock in SES Global, a
leading satellite company. The transaction resulted in a gain of $1,158 million
($642 million after tax).
On December 28, 2000, Montgomery Ward, LLC (Wards), formerly a GECS
subsidiary, filed for bankruptcy protection and began liquidation proceedings.
Net earnings for the year 2000 included operating losses from Wards amounting to
$245 million as well as a charge, primarily to other costs and expenses, for
$815 million ($537 million, after tax) to recognize additional associated
losses.
o GECS total revenues decreased 12% to $58.4 billion in 2001, following a 19%
increase to $66.2 billion in 2000. The three principal reasons for the
decrease in revenues in 2001 compared with 2000 were: the deconsolidation
of Wards and resulting absence of sales in 2001 ($3.2 billion); the effects
of rationalization of operations and market conditions at IT Solutions
($2.9 billion); and reduced surrender fees compared with 2000 ($1.2
billion) associated with the planned run-off of restructured insurance
policies of Toho Mutual Life Insurance Company (Toho) at GE Financial
Assurance (GEFA). The increase in 2000 reflected post-acquisition revenues
from acquired businesses ($6.5 billion) as well as volume growth ($2.5
billion). Revenues in 2000 also included the gain from sale of common stock
of PaineWebber ($1.4 billion). Additional information about other revenue
items is provided in the analysis of GECS operating activities beginning on
page 54.
o GECS cost of goods sold declined to $3.3 billion in 2001, compared with
$8.5 billion in 2000 and $8.0 billion in 1999, reflecting volume declines
at IT Solutions and the deconsolidation of Wards on December 28, 2000, when
Wards commenced liquidation proceedings. The increase in 2000 primarily
reflected the consolidation of Wards from August 2, 1999, through December
28, 2000.
[GRAPH HERE]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GECS EARNINGS BEFORE ACCOUNTING CHANGES
(In billions)
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$3.26 $3.80 $4.44 $5.19 $5.59
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
o GECS interest on borrowings in 2001 was $10.6 billion, compared with $11.1
billion in 2000 and $9.4 billion in 1999. The change in both years
reflected the effects of both interest rates and the average level of
borrowings used to finance asset growth. GECS average composite effective
interest rate was 5.11% in 2001, compared with 5.89% in 2000 and 5.14% in
1999. In 2001, average assets of $386.6 billion were 7% higher than in
2000, which in turn were 13% higher than in 1999. See page 60 for a
discussion of interest rate risk management.
o GECS insurance losses and policyholder and annuity benefits increased to
$15.1 billion in 2001, compared with $14.4 billion in 2000 and $11.0
billion in 1999. This increase reflected effects of growth in premium
volume and business acquisitions at GEFA throughout the period, and costs
discussed in the analysis of Specialty Insurance and All Other GECS
operating activities, partially offset by the planned run-off of
restructured insurance policies at Toho.
o GECS provision for losses on financing receivables was $2.5 billion in
2001, compared with $2.0 billion in 2000 and $1.7 billion in 1999. These
provisions principally related to private-label credit cards, bank credit
cards, personal loans and auto loans and leases as well as commercial,
industrial, and equipment loans and leases, all of which are discussed on
page 56 under financing receivables. The provisions throughout the
three-year period reflected higher average receivable balances, changes in
the mix of business, and the effects of delinquency rates--higher during
2001 and lower during 2000--consistent with industry experience.
F-14
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 54
o GECS other costs and expenses were $19.8 billion, $22.8 billion and $19.4
billion in 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively. Changes over the three-year
period were largely the result of acquisitions and unusual charges, which
were more than offset in 2001 by productivity at Consumer Services and
Equipment Management. Costs and expenses in 2001 included $0.5 billion of
costs in businesses that were acquired after January 1, 2001, as well as
$0.3 billion of costs discussed in the analysis of All Other GECS operating
activities. Similarly, 2000 included $2.5 billion of costs in businesses
that were acquired after January 1, 2000; charges for costs associated with
Wards amounting to $0.8 billion, as discussed previously; and $0.5 billion
of costs to rationalize certain operations discussed in the analysis of All
Other GECS operating activities.
Over the last three years, market interest rates have been more volatile than
GECS average composite effective interest rates, principally because of the mix
of effectively fixed-rate borrowings in the GECS financing structure. GECS
portfolio of fixed and floating-rate financial products has behaved similarly
over that period. Consequently, financing spreads have remained relatively flat
over the three-year period.
GECS REVENUES AND NET EARNINGS
---------------------------
(In millions) 2001 2000 1999
---------------------------------------------------------
REVENUES
Consumer Services $23,574 $23,893 $18,705
Equipment Management 12,542 14,747 15,383
Mid-Market Financing 8,659 7,026 5,929
Specialized Financing 2,930 4,105 3,308
Specialty Insurance 11,064 11,878 10,643
All other (416) 4,528 1,781
---------------------------
Total revenues $58,353 $66,177 $55,749
===========================
NET EARNINGS
Consumer Services $ 2,319 $ 1,671 $ 1,140
Equipment Management 1,607 833 683
Mid-Market Financing 1,280 1,010 822
Specialized Financing 557 1,223 1,019
Specialty Insurance 522 879 1,167
All other (699) (424) (388)
---------------------------
Total earnings before
accounting changes 5,586 5,192 4,443
Cumulative effect of
accounting changes (169) -- --
---------------------------
Net earnings $ 5,417 $ 5,192 $ 4,443
=========================================================
Following is a discussion of revenues and earnings before accounting
changes from operating activities within the GECS segment. For purposes of this
discussion, earnings before accounting changes is referred to as net earnings.
CONSUMER SERVICES
---------------------------
(In millions) 2001 2000 1999
---------------------------------------------------------
REVENUES
Global Consumer Finance $ 5,282 $ 5,138 $4,839
GE Financial Assurance 13,565 13,669 9,604
GE Card Services 3,947 3,891 2,478
Other Consumer Services 780 1,195 1,784
---------------------------
Total revenues $23,574 $23,893 $18,705
===========================
NET EARNINGS (a)
Global Consumer Finance $ 903 $ 710 $ 580
GE Financial Assurance 687 564 411
GE Card Services 654 495 196
Other Consumer Services 75 (98) (47)
---------------------------
Net earnings $ 2,319 $ 1,671 $1,140
=========================================================
(a) Charges of $196 million and $107 million in 2001 and
2000, respectively, were not allocated to this
activity and are included in All Other GECS
operating activities.
---------------------------------------------------------
CONSUMER SERVICES revenues declined 1% in 2001, following a 28% increase in
2000. Overall, the revenue performance in both years reflected the
post-acquisition revenues from acquired businesses and volume growth at GEFA,
Global Consumer Finance and Card Services which were offset by decreases at Auto
Financial Services and Mortgage Services, which both stopped accepting new
business in 2000 (included in Other Consumer Services) and, in 2001, a decrease
in surrender fee income at GEFA associated with the planned run-off of
restructured insurance policies at Toho. Net earnings increased 39% in 2001 and
47% in 2000. The increase in 2001 reflected productivity benefits at Global
Consumer Finance and GEFA, volume growth at Card Services and reduced residual
losses at Auto Financial Services. The increase in net earnings in 2000 resulted
from acquisition and volume growth at Card Services, GEFA, and Global Consumer
Finance, partially offset by losses at Mortgage Services.
EQUIPMENT MANAGEMENT
---------------------------
(In millions) 2001 2000 1999
---------------------------------------------------------
REVENUES
Aviation Services (GECAS) $ 2,173 $ 1,962 $1,551
Americom 1,698 594 463
IT Solutions 4,180 7,073 8,380
Other Equipment Management 4,491 5,118 4,989
---------------------------
Total revenues $12,542 $14,747 $15,383
===========================
NET EARNINGS (a)
Aviation Services (GECAS) $ 470 $ 474 $ 280
Americom 896 195 150
IT Solutions 11 (197) (66)
Other Equipment Management 230 361 319
---------------------------
Net earnings $ 1,607 $ 833 $ 683
=========================================================
(a) Charges of $135 million and $191 million in 2001 and
2000, respectively, were not allocated to this
activity and are included in All Other GECS
operating activities.
---------------------------------------------------------
F-15
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 55
EQUIPMENT MANAGEMENT revenues decreased 15% in 2001 following a 4% decline
in 2000. The decrease in both years was primarily attributable to effects of
rationalization of operations and market conditions on revenues at IT Solutions,
partially offset by the gain on the disposition of Americom in 2001, and volume
growth at GECAS in both years. Other Equipment Management revenues decreased in
2001, primarily as a result of lower volume across all of the remaining
businesses. Net earnings increased 93% in 2001 and 22% in 2000, reflecting the
Americom gain and productivity benefits at IT Solutions in 2001 and volume
growth at GECAS in 2000. The decrease in Other Equipment Management net earnings
in 2001 primarily reflected lower results at Transport International Pool and GE
Capital Modular Space.
MID-MARKET FINANCING
---------------------------
(In millions) 2001 2000 1999
---------------------------------------------------------
REVENUES
Commercial Equipment Financing $4,515 $3,610 $3,180
Commercial Finance 1,695 1,543 1,295
Vendor Financial Services 2,095 1,791 1,372
Other Mid-Market Financing 354 82 82
---------------------------
Total revenues $8,659 $7,026 $5,929
===========================
NET EARNINGS (a)
Commercial Equipment Financing $ 592 $ 496 $ 396
Commercial Finance 364 280 225
Vendor Financial Services 287 241 200
Other Mid-Market Financing 37 (7) 1
---------------------------
Net earnings $1,280 $1,010 $ 822
=========================================================
(a) Charges of $52 million in 2001 were not allocated to
this activity and are included in All Other GECS
operating activities.
---------------------------------------------------------
MID-MARKET FINANCING revenues increased 23% in 2001, following a 19%
increase in 2000, resulting from acquisition and volume growth at Commercial
Equipment Finance, Vendor Financial Services and Commercial Finance, including
the acquisition of Heller Financial, Inc. (Heller Financial) on October 24,
2001, (included in Other Mid-Market Financing), and increased gains on
securitizations of financial assets. The increase in revenues in 2000 primarily
reflected asset growth from originations across all major businesses. Net
earnings increased 27% in 2001 and 23% in 2000. Growth in net earnings in 2001
reflected securitization gains and asset growth from acquisitions across all
major businesses. In 2000, improvements in net earnings resulted from favorable
tax effects and asset growth from originations.
SPECIALIZED FINANCING
---------------------------
(In millions) 2001 2000 1999
---------------------------------------------------------
REVENUES
Real Estate $1,919 $1,977 $1,582
Structured Finance Group 1,093 999 812
GE Equity (126) 1,079 863
Other Specialized Financing 44 50 51
---------------------------
Total revenues $2,930 $4,105 $3,308
===========================
NET EARNINGS (a)
Real Estate $ 486 $ 371 $ 300
Structured Finance Group 385 344 270
GE Equity (270) 525 416
Other Specialized Financing (44) (17) 33
---------------------------
Net earnings $ 557 $1,223 $1,019
=========================================================
(a) Charges of $103 million and $49 million in 2001 and
2000, respectively, were not allocated to this
activity and are included in All Other GECS
operating activities.
---------------------------------------------------------
SPECIALIZED FINANCING revenues declined 29%, following a 24% increase in
2000, and net earnings declined 54% in 2001 following a 20% increase in 2000.
The decrease in revenues and net earnings in 2001 were a result of reduced asset
gains at GE Equity, partially offset by profitable origination growth at
Structured Finance Group and higher asset gains and productivity benefits at
Real Estate. Revenues and net earnings growth in 2000 were principally the
result of origination growth across all businesses and a particularly high level
of gains on equity investment sales at GE Equity.
SPECIALTY INSURANCE
---------------------------
(In millions) 2001 2000 1999
---------------------------------------------------------
REVENUES
Mortgage Insurance $ 1,029 $ 973 $ 936
GE Global Insurance Holdings 9,453 10,223 9,013
Other Specialty Insurance 582 682 694
---------------------------
Total revenues $11,064 $11,878 $10,643
===========================
NET EARNINGS (a)
Mortgage Insurance $ 395 $ 366 $ 340
GE Global Insurance Holdings (47) 413 625
Other Specialty Insurance 174 100 202
---------------------------
Net earnings $ 522 $ 879 $ 1,167
=========================================================
(a) Charges of $170 million in 2001 were not allocated
to this activity and are included in All Other GECS
operating activities.
---------------------------------------------------------
SPECIALTY INSURANCE revenues decreased 7% in 2001, following a 12% increase
in 2000, as a result of reduced net premiums earned at GE Global Insurance
Holdings (the parent of Employers Reinsurance Corporation), reflecting the
events of September 11 as discussed below, and decreased investment income,
partially offset by increased premium income associated with origination volume.
The increase in 2000 resulted from premium growth and increased investment
income, as higher interest income more than offset a decrease in net realized
investment gains at GE Global Insurance Holdings. Net pre-tax realized
investment gains in the marketable equity and debt securities portfolios
amounted to $572 million, $639 million and $811 million in 2001, 2000 and 1999,
respectively. Remaining available gains in the portfolios at December 31, 2001,
amounted to $509 million before tax.
F-16
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 56
Net earnings decreased 41% and 25% in 2001 and 2000, respectively,
reflecting GE Global Insurance Holdings underwriting results. Net earnings in
2001 were adversely affected by approximately $575 million ($386 million after
tax) related to the insurance losses arising from the events of September 11.
This amount, which primarily resulted from contingent premium payment provisions
contained in certain retrocession agreements, comprises $698 million recorded as
a reduction in net premiums earned, and $78 million reflecting policyholder
losses, partially offset by $201 million reflecting a reduction in insurance
acquisition costs. Historical experience related to large catastrophic events
has shown that a broad range of total insurance industry loss estimates often
exists following such an event and it is not unusual for there to be significant
subsequent revisions in such estimates. $575 million is management's best
estimate of its existing net liability based on the information currently
available, and is net of estimated recoveries under retrocession arrangements,
under which a portion of losses is routinely ceded to other reinsurance
entities. Substantially all of GECS retrocessionaires are large, highly rated
reinsurance entities. At this time, management does not anticipate that any
significant portion of its estimated recoveries will be uncollectible.
[GRAPH HERE]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONSOLIDATED INTERNATIONAL REVENUES BY REGION
(In billions)
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Europe $20.63 $24.35 $25.82 $26.67 $26.29
Pacific Basin 7.98 8.06 10.19 15.19 13.30
Americas 6.20 6.91 6.73 7.68 7.89
Other 3.43 3.19 2.94 3.41 3.96
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings in 2001 and 2000 were also adversely affected by the continued
deterioration of underwriting results, reflecting higher property and
casualty-related losses (principally as a result of adverse development relating
to prior-year loss events) and the continued effects of low premiums in the
property and casualty insurance/reinsurance industry. As GE Global Insurance
Holdings underwriting results in 2001 and 2000, typical of the global property
and casualty industry, were realized, management began underwriting initiatives
that increased premium prices for given levels of coverage. These initiatives
resulted in management reconsidering and clarifying the product lines, policies,
contracts and specific customers for which, given the risk, acceptable future
levels of profit seem achievable. For these businesses, GECS has sought to
retain or even expand its business. On the other hand, management has identified
particular property and casualty business channels from which returns do not
appear to justify the risks. For these channels, new business will be
significantly curtailed or exited.
The majority of the adverse development in 2001, and to a lesser extent in
2000, related to higher projected ultimate losses for liability coverages,
especially in the hospital liability, nonstandard automobile (automobile
insurance extended to higher-risk drivers) and commercial and public entity
general liability lines of business. The increase in 2000 also reflected an
increase in industry-wide loss estimates related to certain large property loss
events, with the largest impact resulting from the European windstorms occurring
in late 1999. The adverse development of GE Global Insurance Holdings for both
years was partially mitigated by favorable experience in the Mortgage Insurance
business, which resulted from favorable economic conditions, improvement in
certain real estate markets and loss mitigation efforts.
ALL OTHER GECS
---------------------------
(In millions) 2001 2000 1999
---------------------------------------------------------
REVENUES
All Other GECS total revenues $(416) $4,528 $1,781
===========================
NET EARNINGS
All Other GECS net earnings $(699) $ (424) $(388)
=========================================================
ALL OTHER GECS operating activities includes results of operations of
businesses other than those in the five operating activities as well as charges
management has not allocated to those activities. In 2001, $436 million of
charges, principally for asset write-downs, resulted in a negative total for
this category. Revenues in 2000 included the results of Wards through December
28, 2000; a pre-tax gain of $1,366 million from sale of GECS investment in
common stock of PaineWebber; and charges of $238 million, principally for asset
write-downs. The net loss of $699 million for 2001 included after-tax costs of
$656 million in certain unprofitable insurance and financing product lines that
are being exited; in disposing of and providing for disposition of several
nonstrategic investments and other assets; and in restructuring various global
operations. These costs included asset write-downs totaling $285 million. The
net loss of $424 million for 2000 comprised the PaineWebber gain of $848
million; charges of $537 million related to Wards; strategic rationalization
costs of $347 million related to other operating activities, primarily for asset
write-downs, employee severance and lease terminations; and operating losses
from Wards of $245 million.
FINANCING RECEIVABLES is the largest category of assets for GECS and
represents one of its primary sources of revenues. The portfolio of financing
receivables, before allowance for losses, increased to $178.8 billion at the end
of 2001 from $147.3 billion at the end of 2000, as discussed in the following
paragraphs. The related allowance for losses at the end of 2001 amounted to $4.8
billion ($4.0 billion at the end of 2000), representing management's best
estimate of probable losses inherent in the portfolio.
F-17
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 57
In GECS financing receivables, "nonearning" receivables are those that are
90 days or more delinquent (or for which collection has otherwise become
doubtful) and "reduced-earning" receivables are commercial receivables whose
terms have been restructured to a below-market yield.
Consumer financing receivables, primarily credit card and personal loans
and auto loans and leases, were $52.3 billion at year-end 2001, an increase of
$3.5 billion from year-end 2000. Credit card and personal receivables increased
$7.0 billion, primarily from increased origination and acquisition growth,
partially offset by sales and securitizations and the net effects of foreign
currency translation. Auto receivables decreased $3.5 billion, primarily as a
result of the run-off of the liquidating Auto Financial Services portfolio.
Nonearning consumer receivables at year-end 2001 were $1.5 billion, about 2.9%
of outstandings, compared with $1.1 billion, about 2.3% of outstandings at
year-end 2000. Write-offs of consumer receivables increased to $1.7 billion from
$1.3 billion for 2000, reflecting the maturing of private label credit card
portfolios and higher personal bankruptcies on credit card loan portfolios in
Japan. Consistent with industry trends, consumer delinquency rates increased
during 2001.
[GRAPH HERE]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONSOLIDATED TOTAL ASSETS
(In billions)
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
United States $206.46 $227.11 $263.78 $277.82 $315.18
International 97.55 128.82 141.26 159.19 179.84
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other financing receivables, which totaled $126.5 billion at December 31,
2001, consisted of a diverse commercial, industrial and equipment loan and lease
portfolio. This portfolio increased $28.0 billion during 2001, reflecting
increased acquisition and origination growth, partially offset by sales and
securitizations. Related nonearning and reduced-earning receivables were $1.7
billion, about 1.4% of outstandings at year-end 2001, compared with $0.9
billion, about 1.0% of outstandings at year-end 2000, reflecting several large
bankruptcies and the current economic environment. These receivables are backed
by assets and are covered by reserves for probable losses.
GECS loans and leases to commercial airlines amounted to $21.5 billion at
the end of 2001, up from $15.3 billion at the end of 2000. GECS commercial
aircraft positions also included financial guarantees, funding commitments,
credit and liquidity support agreements and aircraft orders as discussed in note
17.
INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS
Estimated results of international activities include the results of GE and GECS
operations located outside the United States plus all U.S. exports. Certain GECS
operations that cannot meaningfully be associated with specific geographic areas
are classified as "other international" for this purpose.
International revenues of $51.4 billion, $53.0 billion and $45.7 billion in
2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively, represented about 41% of consolidated
revenues in each year.
CONSOLIDATED INTERNATIONAL REVENUES
---------------------------
(In millions) 2001 2000 1999
---------------------------------------------------------
Europe $23,878 $24,144 $22,919
Pacific Basin 11,447 12,921 7,879
Americas 5,507 5,912 5,229
Other 3,456 2,842 2,136
---------------------------
44,288 45,819 38,163
Exports from the U.S. to
external customers 7,149 7,138 7,513
---------------------------
$51,437 $52,957 $45,676
=========================================================
GE international revenues grew to $28.3 billion in 2001, an increase of
$1.6 billion (6%) over 2000. Revenues in 2000 were $26.7 billion, $2.7 billion
(11%) higher than in 1999. The increase in 2001 was attributable to sales in
operations based outside the United States, which grew 8% to $21.2 billion.
European revenues were 16% higher in 2001, led by increases at Power Systems and
Medical Systems. Revenues in the Americas (North and South America, except for
the United States) increased 6%, reflecting continued growth in both Canadian
and Latin American operations. Pacific Basin revenues and total U.S. exports in
2001 were relatively unchanged from 2000.
GECS international revenues were $23.1 billion in 2001, a decrease of 12%
from $26.3 billion in 2000. Revenues in the Pacific Basin decreased 19% in 2001,
as 2000 revenues included surrender fee income at GEFA from the planned run-off
of restructured insurance policies of Toho. Revenues in Europe decreased 12% in
2001 as acquisition and core growth at Global Consumer Finance were more than
offset by reduced premiums earned, associated with a combination of lower
origination volume and increased ceded premiums as a result of the events of
September 11 at GE Global Insurance Holdings, and reduced revenue associated
with the rationalization of certain operations at IT Solutions.
Consolidated international operating profit was $6.1 billion in 2001, a
decrease of 11% over 2000, which was 21% higher than in 1999. Additional
information about operating profit by region is provided in note 28.
Total assets of international operations were $180.0 billion in 2001 (36%
of consolidated assets), an increase of 13% over 2000. GECS assets increased 23%
in Europe, reflecting a mix of origination and acquisition growth. GECS also
achieved significant asset growth at GECAS, which is classified as "other
international" in note 28.
F-18
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 58
The international activities of GE and GECS span all global regions and
primarily encompass manufacturing for local and export markets, import and sale
of products produced in other regions, leasing of aircraft, sourcing for GE
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, GE may have increased exposure to certain risks
but also may have new profit opportunities. Potential increased risks include,
among other things, higher receivables delinquencies and bad debts, delays or
cancellation of sales and orders principally related to power and aircraft
equipment, higher local currency financing costs and a slowdown in established
financial services activities. New profit opportunities include, among other
things, lower costs of goods sourced from countries with weakened currencies,
more opportunities for lower cost outsourcing, expansion of industrial and
financial services activities through purchases of companies or assets at
reduced prices and lower U.S. debt financing costs.
Financial results of GE international activities reported in U.S. dollars
are affected by currency exchange. A number of techniques are used to manage the
effects of currency exchange, including selective borrowings in local currencies
and selective hedging of significant cross-currency transactions. Principal
currencies are the euro, the Japanese yen and the Canadian dollar. GE and GECS
operations in Europe are all euro-capable as of January 1, 2002.
REGARDING ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS, GE's operations, like operations of other
companies engaged in similar businesses, involve the use, disposal and cleanup
of substances regulated under environmental protection laws.
In 2001, GE expended about $52 million for capital projects related to the
environment. The comparable amount in 2000 was $48 million. These amounts
exclude expenditures for remediation actions, which are principally expensed and
are discussed below. Capital expenditures for environmental purposes have
included pollution control devices--such as wastewater treatment plants,
groundwater monitoring devices, air strippers or separators, and
incinerators--at new and existing facilities constructed or upgraded in the
normal course of business. Consistent with policies stressing environmental
responsibility, average annual capital expenditures other than for remediation
projects are presently expected to be about $55 million over the next two years
for new or expanded programs to build facilities or modify manufacturing
processes to minimize waste and reduce emissions. This is about the same level
as recent experience.
GE also is involved in a sizable 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 $119 million in 2001, compared
with $128 million in 2000. It is presently expected that such remediation
actions will require average annual expenditures in the range of $110 million to
$150 million over the next two years.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ruled in February 2002 that
approximately 150,000 pounds of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) must be dredged
from a 40-mile stretch of the upper Hudson River in New York State. GE's
December 31, 2001, Statement of Financial Position includes a liability for the
estimated costs of this remediation.
NO RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS had a material effect on GE's financial position,
cash flows or results of operations. Certain immaterial related party
transactions are discussed in the 2001 proxy statement, available from GE.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY
OVERVIEW
This discussion of financial resources and liquidity addresses the Statement of
Financial Position (page 44), Statement of Changes in Share Owners' Equity (page
42) and the Statement of Cash Flows (page 46).
Only a small portion of GECS business is directly related to other GE
operations. The fundamental differences between GE and GECS are reflected in the
measurements commonly used by investors, rating agencies and financial analysts.
These differences will become clearer in the discussion that follows with
respect to the more significant items in the financial statements.
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
Because GE and GECS 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, distinction
is drawn between GE and GECS activities in order to permit meaningful analysis
of each individual statement.
INVESTMENT SECURITIES for each of the past two years comprised mainly
investment-grade debt securities held by GEFA and the specialty insurance
businesses of GECS in support of obligations to annuitants and policyholders. GE
investment securities were $0.9 billion at year-end 2001, a decrease of $0.1
billion from 2000, reflecting decreases in the fair value of equity and
corporate debt securities partially offset by additional investments. GECS
investment securities were $100.1 billion in 2001, compared with $90.3 billion
in 2000. The increase of $9.8 billion resulted from investment of premiums
received, reinvestment of investment income, and the addition of securities from
acquired companies, partially offset by sales and maturities as well as
decreases in the fair value of certain debt and equity securities. See note 9
for further information.
F-19
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 59
WORKING CAPITAL, representing GE cash invested in inventories and receivables
from customers less trade payables and progress payments, has improved
significantly over the past three years. Working capital declined from an
investment of $5.0 billion at the beginning of 1999 to a negative $2.4 billion
at the end of 2001 on much higher progress collections from Power Systems
customers. As Power Systems completes its orders backlog over the next few
years, progress collections of $11.8 billion at December 31, 2001, will be
earned, affecting working capital turnover adversely. Nevertheless, working
capital performance at the end of this backlog fulfillment period is expected to
be improved from January 1, 1999, the result of Six Sigma and Digitization
initiatives. Current receivables and inventories, two important elements of
working capital, are discussed in the following paragraphs.
CURRENT RECEIVABLES for GE were $9.8 billion at the end of 2001, an increase of
$0.1 billion from year-end 2000, and included $5.9 billion due from customers at
the end of 2001, compared with $6.3 billion at the end of 2000. Turnover of
customer receivables from sales of goods and services was 10.1 in 2001, compared
with 10.0 in 2000. Other current receivables are primarily amounts that did not
originate from sales of GE goods or services, such as advances to suppliers in
connection with large contracts.
INVENTORIES for GE were $8.3 billion at December 31, 2001, up $1.1 billion from
the end of 2000. GE inventory turnover was 7.9 in 2001, a decrease from 8.5 in
2000, as a result of higher inventories in short-cycle businesses.
GECS inventories were $270 million and $666 million at December 31, 2001
and 2000, respectively. The decrease in 2001 primarily reflected the
rationalization of certain operations at IT Solutions, as well as improved
inventory management.
FINANCING RECEIVABLES of GECS were $174.0 billion at year-end 2001, net of
allowance for losses, up $30.7 billion over 2000. These receivables are
discussed on page 56 and in notes 12 and 13.
INSURANCE RECEIVABLES of GECS were $27.3 billion at year-end 2001, an increase
of $3.5 billion. The increase was primarily attributable to increased recoveries
under existing retrocession agreements and core growth, partially offset by the
planned run-off of assets at Toho (see note 14).
OTHER RECEIVABLES of GECS totaled $13.3 billion at both December 31, 2001 and
2000, and consists primarily of nonfinancing customer receivables, accrued
investment income, amounts due from GE (generally related to certain trade
payable programs), amounts due under operating leases, receivables due on sales
of securities and various sundry items.
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (including equipment leased to others) was $42.1
billion at December 31, 2001, up $2.1 billion from 2000. GE property, plant and
equipment consists of investments for its own productive use, whereas the
largest element for GECS is in equipment provided to third parties on operating
leases. Details by category of investment are presented in note 15.
GE expenditures for plant and equipment during 2001 totaled $2.9 billion,
compared with $2.5 billion in 2000. Total expenditures for the past five years
were $12.2 billion, of which 40% was investment for growth through new capacity
and product development; 34% was investment in productivity through new
equipment and process improvements; and 26% was investment for other purposes
such as improvement of research and development facilities and safety and
environmental protection.
GECS additions to property, plant and equipment (including equipment leased
to others), were $12.6 billion during 2001 ($11.4 billion during 2000),
primarily reflecting acquisitions of transportation equipment.
INTANGIBLE ASSETS were $31.6 billion at year-end 2001, up from $27.4 billion at
year-end 2000. GE intangibles increased to $12.9 billion from $12.4 billion at
the end of 2000, principally as a result of goodwill related to acquisitions by
Power Systems and Medical Systems, partially offset by amortization. GECS
intangibles increased $3.7 billion to $18.7 billion, reflecting goodwill and
other intangibles associated with acquisitions, the largest of which was the
acquisition of Heller Financial, partially offset by amortization.
ALL OTHER ASSETS totaled $80.5 billion at year-end 2001, an increase of $6.6
billion from the end of 2000. GE other assets increased $2.0 billion,
principally reflecting an increase in the prepaid pension asset partially offset
by a decrease in long-term receivables. GECS other assets increased $4.7 billion
as a result of additional investments in real estate and associated companies,
the recognition of all derivatives at fair value in accordance with SFAS 133,
and increases in deferred insurance acquisition costs, partially offset by
decreases in "separate accounts" (see note 17).
CONSOLIDATED BORROWINGS aggregated $232.9 billion at December 31, 2001, compared
with $201.3 billion at the end of 2000. The major debt-rating agencies evaluate
the financial condition of GE and of GE Capital (the major public borrowing
entity of GECS) differently because of their distinct business characteristics.
Using criteria appropriate to each and considering their combined strength,
those major rating agencies continue to give the highest ratings to debt of both
GE and GE Capital.
GE total borrowings were $2.5 billion at year-end 2001 ($1.7 billion short
term, $0.8 billion long term), an increase of $0.7 billion from year-end 2000.
GE total debt at the end of 2001 equaled 4.3% of total capital, up from 3.3% at
the end of 2000.
GECS total borrowings were $239.9 billion at December 31, 2001, of which
$160.8 billion is due in 2002 and $79.1 billion is due in subsequent years.
Comparable amounts at the end of 2000 were $205.4 billion in total, $124.0
billion due within one year and $81.4 billion due thereafter. A large portion of
F-20
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 60
GECS borrowings ($117.5 billion and $94.5 billion at the end of 2001 and 2000,
respectively) was issued in active commercial paper markets that management
believes will continue to be a reliable source of short-term financing. Most of
this commercial paper was issued by GE Capital. The average remaining terms and
interest rates of GE Capital commercial paper were 46 days and 2.37% at the end
of 2001, compared with 45 days and 6.43% at the end of 2000. The GE Capital
ratio of debt to equity was 7.31 to 1 at the end of 2001 and 7.53 to 1 at the
end of 2000.
INSURANCE LIABILITIES, RESERVES AND ANNUITY BENEFITS were $114.2 billion, $8.1
billion higher than in 2000. The increase was primarily attributable to the
addition of reserves associated with the events of September 11, and growth in
deferred annuities and guaranteed investment contracts, partially offset by the
planned run-off of policyholder contracts at Toho and decreases in separate
accounts. For additional information on these liabilities, see note 19.
INTEREST RATE AND CURRENCY RISK MANAGEMENT is important in the normal business
activities of GE and GECS. Derivative financial instruments are used by GE and
GECS to mitigate or eliminate certain financial and market risks, including
those related to changes in interest rates and currency exchange rates. As a
matter of policy, neither GE nor GECS engages in derivatives trading,
derivatives market-making or other speculative activities.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission requires that registrants
provide information about potential effects of changes in interest rates and
currency exchange. Although the rules offer alternatives for presenting this
information, none of the alternatives is without limitations. The following
discussion is based on so-called "shock tests," which model effects of interest
rate and currency shifts on the reporting company. Shock tests, while probably
the most meaningful analysis permitted, are constrained by several factors,
including the necessity to conduct the analysis based on a single point in time
and by their inability to include the complex market reactions that normally
would arise from the market shifts modeled. While the following results of shock
tests for changes in interest rates and currency exchange rates may have some
limited use as benchmarks, they should not be viewed as forecasts.
o One means of assessing exposure to interest rate changes is a
duration-based analysis that measures the potential loss in net earnings
resulting from a hypothetical increase in interest rates of 100 basis
points across all maturities (sometimes referred to as a "parallel shift in
the yield curve"). Under this model with all else constant, it is estimated
that such an increase, including repricing in the securities portfolio,
would reduce the 2002 net earnings of GECS based on year-end 2001 positions
by approximately $189 million; the pro forma effect for GE was
insignificant. Based on positions at year-end 2000, the pro forma effect on
2001 net earnings of such an increase in interest rates was estimated to be
a decrease of approximately $124 million for GECS and was insignificant for
GE.
o The geographic distribution of GE and GECS operations is diverse. One means
of assessing exposure to changes in currency exchange rates is to model
effects on reported earnings using a sensitivity analysis. Year-end 2001
consolidated currency exposures, including financial instruments designated
and effective as hedges, were analyzed to identify GE and GECS assets and
liabilities denominated in other than their relevant functional currencies.
Net unhedged exposures in each currency were then remeasured assuming a 10%
decrease (substantially greater decreases for hyperinflationary currencies)
in currency exchange rates compared with the U.S. dollar. Under this model,
management estimated at year-end 2001 that such a decrease would have an
insignificant effect on 2002 earnings of either GE or GECS.
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHARE OWNERS' EQUITY
Share owners' equity increased $4.3 billion, $7.9 billion and $3.7 billion in
2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively. The increases were largely attributable to
net earnings of $13.7 billion, $12.7 billion and $10.7 billion partially offset
by dividends of $6.6 billion, $5.6 billion and $4.8 billion in 2001, 2000 and
1999, respectively.
Currency translation adjustments reduced equity by $562 million, $1,204
million and $632 million in 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively. Changes in the
currency translation adjustment reflect the effects of changes in currency
exchange rates on GE net investment in non-U.S. subsidiaries that have
functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Over the three-year period,
changes in the currency translation adjustment were largely affected by exchange
rate changes in the euro and Asian currencies. The euro was relatively unchanged
versus the U.S. dollar in 2001 after weakening in 2000 and 1999. Asian
currencies weakened in 2001 and 2000 after strengthening in 1999. Accumulated
currency translation adjustments affect net earnings only when all or a portion
of an affiliate is disposed of.
Adoption of SFAS 133 in 2001 reduced equity by $955 million, including $827
million at the date of adoption. Further information about this accounting
change is provided in note 1.
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Because cash management activities of GE and GECS are separate and distinct, it
is more useful to review their cash flows separately.
GE CASH AND EQUIVALENTS aggregated $10.4 billion at the end of 2001, up from
$7.2 billion at year-end 2000. GE periodically invests available cash in GECS
short-term borrowings. Such amounts are classified as cash equivalents in the GE
Statement of Financial Position and amounted to $8.7 billion and $5.1 billion at
December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively. During 2001, GE generated a record
F-21
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 61
$17.2 billion in cash from operating activities, a $1.8 billion increase over
2000 primarily due to the 11% increase in earnings before accounting changes. Of
this increase, $200 million is attributable to higher 2001 progress collections,
primarily at Power Systems. Excluding progress collections in both 2001 and
2000, cash from operating activities increased 13% in 2001. The 2001 cash
generation provided the necessary resources to purchase $3.1 billion of GE
common stock under the share repurchase program described below, to pay $6.4
billion in dividends to share owners, to contribute $3.0 billion to GECS, a
portion of which was used to partially fund the acquisition of Heller Financial,
to invest $2.9 billion in plant and equipment and to make $1.4 billion in
acquisitions.
Operating activities are the principal source of GE's cash flows. Over the
past three years, operating activities have provided more than $44 billion of
cash. The principal application of this cash was distributions of approximately
$24 billion to share owners, both through payment of dividends ($16.3 billion)
and through the share repurchase program ($7.2 billion) described below. Other
applications included investment in plant and equipment ($7.4 billion),
acquisitions ($4.2 billion) and the 2001 capital contribution of $3.0 billion to
GECS.
[GRAPH HERE]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
(In billions)
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$9.21 $9.64 $10.00 $12.16 $13.75
Progress collections 0.11 0.39 1.77 3.26 3.45
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Under the share repurchase program initiated in December 1994, GE has
purchased 1.0 billion shares of GE stock. In December 2001, GE's Board of
Directors increased the amount authorized from $22 billion to $30 billion. Funds
used for the share repurchase are expected to be generated largely from
operating cash flow.
Based on past performance and current expectations, in combination with the
financial flexibility that comes with a strong balance sheet and the highest
credit ratings, management believes that GE is in a sound position to complete
the share repurchase program, to grow dividends in line with earnings, and to
continue making selective investments for long-term growth. Expenditures for
plant and equipment are expected to be about $2.3 billion in 2002, principally
for productivity and growth.
GECS CASH AND EQUIVALENTS aggregated $7.3 billion at the end of 2001, up from
$6.1 billion at year-end 2000. One of the primary sources of cash for GECS is
short and long-term borrowings. Over the past three years, GECS borrowings with
maturities of 90 days or less have increased by $28.8 billion. New borrowings of
$125.2 billion having maturities longer than 90 days were added during those
years, while $94.9 billion of such longer-term borrowings were retired. GECS
also generated $41.7 billion from operating activities, which benefited in 2001
from an increase in insurance liabilities and reserves, net of an increase in
reinsurance recoverables, and a decrease from the planned run-off of
policyholder contracts at Toho.
The principal use of cash by GECS has been investing in assets to grow its
businesses. Of the $110.1 billion that GECS invested over the past three years,
$42.7 billion was used for additions to financing receivables; $37.5 billion was
used to invest in new equipment, principally for lease to others; and $22.2
billion was used for acquisitions of new businesses, the largest of which were
Heller Financial and Mellon Leasing in 2001 and Japan Leasing and the credit
card operations of JC Penney in 1999.
With the financial flexibility that comes with excellent credit ratings,
management believes that GECS should be well positioned to meet the global needs
of its customers for capital and to continue providing GE share owners with good
returns.
LIQUIDITY
The major debt-rating agencies evaluate the financial condition of GE and of GE
Capital, the major public borrowing entity of GECS, differently because of their
distinct business characteristics. Factors that are important to the ratings of
both include the following: cash generating ability--including cash generated
from operating activities; earnings quality--including revenue growth and the
breadth and diversity of sources of income; leverage ratios--such as debt to
total capital and interest coverage; and asset utilization, including return on
assets and asset turnover ratios. Considering those factors, as well as other
criteria appropriate to GE and GECS individually, those major rating agencies
continue to give the highest ratings to debt of both GE and GE Capital
(long-term credit rating AAA/Aaa; short-term credit rating A-1+/P-1).
GLOBAL COMMERCIAL PAPER MARKETS are a primary source of liquidity for GE and
GECS. GE Capital is the most widely-held name in those markets, with $117.5
billion and $94.5 billion outstanding at the end of 2001 and 2000, respectively.
Money markets are extremely robust. In 2001, GE Capital's commercial paper
accounted for only 2.4% of activity with maturities of less than one year in the
U.S. market, the largest of the global money markets.
Management believes that alternative sources of liquidity are sufficient to
permit an orderly transition from commercial paper in the unlikely event of
impaired access to those markets. Funding sources on which management would rely
would depend on the nature of such a hypothetical event, but include $33 billion
of contractually committed lending agreements with highly-rated global banks,
medium and long-term funding, monetization and asset securitization, cash
receipts from GECS lending and leasing activities, short-term secured funding on
global assets, and asset sales. Strength of commercial paper markets and GE
Capital's access to those markets was evidenced on and immediately after
September 11, when many financial markets were closed, but GE Capital continued
to issue commercial paper without interruption.
F-22
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 62
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS are used in the ordinary course of business to
achieve improved share owner returns. One of the most common forms of
off-balance sheet arrangements is asset securitization. The transactions
described below are similar to those used by many financial institutions and are
part of an $800 billion annual market for asset-backed commercial paper. GE and
GECS use sponsored and third-party entities as well as term execution for
securitizations. As part of this program, management considers the relative
risks and returns of each alternative and predominantly uses sponsored entities.
Management believes these transactions could be readily executed through
non-sponsored entities or term securitization at insignificant incremental cost.
In addition to improved share owner returns, special purpose entities serve
as funding sources for a variety of diversified lending and securities
transactions, transfer selected credit risk and improve cash flows while
enhancing the ability to provide a full range of competitive products for
customers.
The discussion below and on page 63 describes sponsored special purpose
entities, and is organized as follows:
o STRUCTURE of sponsored special purpose entities and of transactions that
result in gains on sales and removal of assets from the financial
statements. This section describes assets in the entities as well as
management prohibitions on certain types of activities.
o SUPPORT, both financial and operational, provided for special purpose
entities. This section describes the potential risks associated with
special purpose entities as well as management's measures to control risk
and conclusions about its potential significance.
o ACCOUNTING OUTLOOK for these entities. This section briefly discusses the
accounting policy deliberations that have been undertaken recently
regarding special purpose entities.
STRUCTURE. Simply stated, GE and GECS are selling high-quality, low-yield
financial assets to highly-rated entities that have financed those purchases
using low-cost commercial paper. Because GECS is the sponsor of these entities
and guarantees certain of their positions, management believes that the
structures warrant a more complete explanation, as follows.
The first step in the securitization process uses entities that meet the
accounting criteria for Qualifying Special Purpose Entities (qualifying
entities). Among other criteria, a qualifying entity's activities must be
restricted to passive investment in financial assets and issuance of beneficial
interests in those assets. Under generally accepted accounting principles,
entities meeting these criteria are not consolidated in the sponsor's financial
statements. GE and GECS sell selected financial assets to qualifying entities.
Examples include GECS financing and credit card receivables and GE trade
receivables. On the whole, the credit quality of such assets is equal to or
higher than the credit quality of similar assets owned by GE and GECS.
Qualifying entities raise cash by issuing beneficial interests--rights to
cash flows from the assets--to other GECS-sponsored special purpose entities
that issue highly-rated commercial paper to third-party institutional investors.
These entities use commercial paper proceeds to obtain beneficial interests in
the financial assets of qualifying entities, as well as financial assets
originated by multiple third parties. GECS provides credit support for certain
of these assets, as well as liquidity support for the commercial paper, as
described on page 63. In accordance with its contractual commitments to the
entities, GECS rigorously underwrites and services the associated assets, both
those originated by GE or GECS, and those originated by other participants. All
of the entities' assets serve as collateral for the commercial paper. These
entities are not consolidated in the accompanying financial statements. Support
activities include credit reviews at acquisition and ongoing review, billing and
collection activities--the same support activities that GECS employs for its own
financing receivables.
GECS-sponsored special purpose entities are routinely evaluated by the
major credit rating agencies, including monthly reviews of key performance
indicators and annual reviews of asset quality. Commercial paper issued by these
entities has always received the highest available ratings from the major credit
rating agencies and at year-end 2001 was rated A-1+/P-1.
The following table summarizes receivables held by special purpose
entities.
---------------------------
December 31 (In millions) 2001 2000
---------------------------------------------------------
Receivables--secured by
Equipment $ 12,781 $ 7,993
Commercial real estate 9,971 7,445
Other assets 7,761 6,249
Credit card receivables 9,470 6,170
Trade receivables 3,028 3,138
---------------------------
Total receivables $43,011 $30,995
=========================================================
GE assets included in the categories above at year-end
2001 and 2000, respectively, are as follows:
Equipment--$631 million and $269 million; Other
assets--$757 million and $611 million; Trade
receivables--$2,396 million and $1,733 million.
---------------------------------------------------------
Each of the categories of assets shown in the table above represent
portfolios of assets that, in addition to being highly rated, are diversified to
avoid concentrations of risk. In each of the first three categories, financing
receivables are collateralized by a diverse mix of assets. Examples of assets in
each category follow: equipment--loans and leases on manufacturing and
transportation equipment; commercial real estate--loans on diversified
commercial property; other assets--diversified commercial loans; credit card
receivables--more than 23 million individual accounts; trade
receivables--balances of high credit quality accounts from sales of a broad
range of products and services to a diversified customer base.
F-23
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 63
In addition to the activities discussed previously, Financial Guaranty
Insurance Company (FGIC), a GECS affiliate that is a leader in the municipal
bond insurance market, uses special purpose entities that offer municipalities
guaranteed investment contracts with interests in high-quality, fixed-maturity,
investment grade assets. FGIC actively manages these assets under strict
investment criteria and GE Capital also provides certain performance guarantees.
Total assets in sponsored FGIC entities amounted to $13.4 billion and $10.2
billion at December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively.
None of these special purpose entities or qualifying entities is permitted
to hold GE stock and there are no commitments or guarantees that provide for the
potential issuance of GE stock. These entities do not engage in speculative
activities of any description, are not used to hedge GE or GECS positions, and
under GE integrity policies, no GE employee is permitted to invest in any
sponsored special purpose entity.
SUPPORT. Financial support for certain special purpose entities is provided
in the following ways.
o Under active liquidity support agreements, GECS has agreed to lend to these
entities on a secured basis if (a) certain market conditions render the
entities unable to issue new debt instruments, or (b) the entity's credit
ratings were reduced below specified levels. The maximum amount of such
support for commercial paper outstanding was $43.2 billion at December 31,
2001. Under related unused liquidity support agreements, GECS has made
additional liquidity support commitments of $9.4 billion at December 31,
2001, that would be effective upon addition of qualified assets to the
entities.
o Under credit support agreements, GECS provides recourse for a maximum of
$14.5 billion of credit losses in special purpose entities. $9.1 billion of
this support represents full recourse for certain assets; the balance is
based on loss-sharing formulas. Assets with credit support are funded by
commercial paper that is subject to the liquidity support described above.
Potential credit losses are provided for in GE and GECS financial
statements based on management's best estimate of probable losses inherent
in the portfolio using the same methodology as for owned assets. GECS
allowances for losses amounted to $0.7 billion and $0.6 billion at year-end
2001 and 2000, respectively.
o Performance guarantees relate to letters of credit and liquidity support
for guaranteed investment contracts and are subject to a maximum of $3.8
billion at December 31, 2001.
Management has extensive experience in evaluating economic, liquidity and credit
risk. In view of this experience, the high quality of assets in these entities,
the historically robust quality of commercial paper markets, and the historical
reliability of controls applied both to asset servicing and to activities in the
credit markets, management believes that, under any reasonable future economic
developments, the likelihood is remote that any such arrangements could have a
significant effect on GE or GECS operations, cash flows or financial position.
Sales of securitized assets to special purpose entities result in a gain or
loss amounting to the net of sales proceeds, the carrying amount of net assets
sold, the fair value of servicing rights and an allowance for losses.
Securitization sales resulted in gains of $1.3 billion and about $0.5 billion in
2001 and 2000, respectively, and are included in GECS revenues.
ACCOUNTING OUTLOOK. Various generally accepted accounting principles
specify the conditions that GE and GECS observe in not consolidating special
purpose entities and qualifying entities. Accounting for special purpose
entities is under review by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, and their
non-consolidated status may change as a result of those reviews.
SUMMARY. The special purpose entities described above meet GE's economic
objectives for their use while complying with generally accepted accounting
principles. In the event that accounting rules change in a way that adversely
affects sponsored entities, alternative securitization techniques discussed on
page 62 would likely serve as a substitute at insignificant incremental cost.
PRINCIPAL DEBT CONDITIONS that could automatically result in remedies, such as
acceleration of GE or GECS debt, are described below.
o If the short-term credit rating of GE Capital or certain special purpose
entities previously discussed were to fall below. A-1+/P-1, GE Capital
would be required to provide substitute liquidity for those entities or to
purchase the outstanding commercial paper. The maximum amount that GE
Capital would be required to provide in the event of such a downgrade is
$43.2 billion at December 31, 2001.
o If the long-term credit rating of GE Capital or certain special purpose
entities previously discussed were to fall below AA-/Aa3, GE Capital would
be required to provide substitute credit support or liquidate the special
purpose entities. The maximum amount that GE Capital would be required to
substitute in the event of such a downgrade is $14.5 billion at December
31, 2001.
o If the long-term credit rating of either GE or GECS under certain swap,
forward and option contracts falls below A-/A3, certain remedies are
required as discussed in note 29.
o If GE Capital's ratio of earnings to fixed charges, which was 1.72 to 1 at
the end of 2001 deteriorates to 1.10 to 1 or, upon redemption of certain
preferred stock, its ratio of debt to equity, which was 7.31 to 1 at the
end of 2001 exceeds 8 to 1, GE has committed to contribute capital to GE
Capital. GE also has guaranteed subordinated debt of GECS with a face
amount of $1.0 billion at December 31, 2001, and 2000.
o If the GE long-term credit rating were to fall below investment grade (a
downgrade of 9 ratings increments), certain special purpose entities with
which GE has financing arrangements would have the right to terminate those
arrangements potentially requiring $2.5 billion of secured funding.
F-24
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 64
None of these conditions has been met in GE or GECS history, and management
believes that under any reasonable future economic developments, the likelihood
is remote that any such arrangements could have a significant effect on GE and
GECS operations, cash flows or financial position.
TIMING OF CONTRACTUAL COMMITMENTS at GE and GECS, related to leases and debt,
follow.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In billions) 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GE $ 2.2 $ 0.5 $ 0.5 $ 0.3 $ 0.3
GECS
Commercial paper 117.5 -- -- -- --
Other 44.4 26.4 15.2 10.5 6.9
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION OF SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA summarized on the following page are divided into three
sections: upper portion--consolidated data; middle portion--GE data that reflect
various conventional measurements for such enterprises; and lower portion--GECS
data that reflect key information pertinent to financial services businesses.
GE'S TOTAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT expenditures were $2,349 million in 2001, up
7% over 2000, which was 9% higher than 1999. In 2001, expenditures from GE's own
funds were $1,980 million, an increase of 6% over 2000, reflecting continuing
research and development work related to new product, service and process
technologies. Product technology efforts in 2001 included continuing development
work on the next generation of gas turbines, further advances in
state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging technologies, and development of more
fuel-efficient, cost-effective aircraft engine designs. Services technologies
include advances in diagnostic applications, including remote diagnostic
capabilities related to repair and maintenance of medical equipment, aircraft
engines, power generation equipment and locomotives. Process technologies
provided improved product quality and performance and increased capacity for
manufacturing engineered materials. Expenditures funded by customers (mainly the
U.S. government) were $369 million in 2001, up $43 million from 2000.
GE'S TOTAL BACKLOG of firm unfilled orders at the end of 2001 was $47.4 billion,
an increase of 7% over 2000, reflecting strong double-digit growth at Power
Systems, Medical Systems and Transportation Systems, partially offset by lower
backlog at Aircraft Engines. Of the total, $38.9 billion related to products, of
which 70% was scheduled for delivery in 2002. Product services orders, included
in this reported backlog for only the succeeding 12 months, were $8.4 billion at
the end of 2001. Orders constituting this backlog may be canceled or deferred by
customers, subject in certain cases to penalties. See Segment Operations
beginning on page 50 for further information.
[GRAPH HERE]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GE SHARE PRICE ACTIVITY
(In dollars)
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
High $25.52 $34.65 $53.17 $60.50 $52.90
Low 15.98 23.00 31.42 41.67 28.25
Close 24.46 34.00 51.58 47.94 40.08
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
High-quality financial statements require rigorous application of high-quality
accounting policies. The policies discussed below are considered by management
to be critical to an understanding of GE's financial statements because their
application places the most significant demands on management's judgment, with
financial reporting results relying on estimation about the effect of matters
that are inherently uncertain. Specific risks for these critical accounting
policies are described in the following paragraphs. For all of these policies,
management cautions that future events rarely develop exactly as forecast, and
the best estimates routinely require adjustment.
LOSSES ON FINANCING RECEIVABLES are recognized when they are incurred.
Measurement of such losses requires consideration of historical loss experience,
including the need to adjust 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 value, and the present and expected levels of
interest rates. GECS exposure to losses on financing receivables at year-end
2001 was approximately $193 billion, including credit support for special
purpose entities, against which an allowance for losses of approximately $5.5
billion was provided. An analysis of changes in the allowance for losses is
provided on page 56 which discusses financing receivable portfolio quality.
While losses depend to a large degree on future economic conditions, management
does not forecast significant adverse credit development in 2002. Further
information is provided in notes 1, 12 and 13.
F-25
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 65
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
--------------------------------------------------
(Dollar amounts in millions; per-share amounts in dollars) 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY AND CONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES
Revenues $ 125,913 $129,853 $111,630 $100,469 $90,840
Earnings before accounting changes 14,128 12,735 10,717 9,296 8,203
Cumulative effect of accounting changes (444) -- -- -- --
Net earnings 13,684 12,735 10,717 9,296 8,203
Dividends declared 6,555 5,647 4,786 4,081 3,535
Earned on average share owners' equity excluding
effect of accounting changes 27.1% 27.5% 26.8% 25.7% 25.0%
Per share
Earnings before accounting changes--diluted $ 1.41 $ 1.27 $ 1.07 $ 0.93 $ 0.82
Cumulative effect of accounting changes--diluted (0.04) -- -- -- --
Earnings--diluted 1.37 1.27 1.07 0.93 0.82
Earnings before accounting changes--basic 1.42 1.29 1.09 0.95 0.83
Cumulative effect of accounting changes--basic (0.04) -- -- -- --
Earnings--basic 1.38 1.29 1.09 0.95 0.83
Dividends declared 0.66 0.57 0.48 2/3 0.41 2/3 0.36
Stock price range 52.90 60.50 53.17 34.65 25.52
-28.25 -41.67 -31.42 -23.00 -15.98
Year-end closing stock price 40.08 47.94 51.58 34.00 24.46
Total assets 495,023 437,006 405,200 355,935 304,012
Long-term borrowings 79,806 82,132 71,427 59,663 46,603
Shares outstanding--average (in thousands) 9,932,245 9,897,110 9,833,478 9,806,995 9,824,075
Share owner accounts--average 625,000 597,000 549,000 534,000 509,000
==============================================================================================================
GE DATA
Short-term borrowings $ 1,722 $ 940 $ 2,245 $ 3,466 $ 3,629
Long-term borrowings 787 841 722 681 729
Minority interest 948 968 823 816 569
Share owners' equity 54,824 50,492 42,557 38,880 34,438
--------------------------------------------------
Total capital invested $ 58,281 $ 53,241 $ 46,347 $ 43,843 $39,365
==================================================
Return on average total capital invested 27.0% 27.4% 25.8% 23.9% 23.6%
Borrowings as a percentage of total capital invested
excluding effect of accounting changes 4.3% 3.3% 6.4% 9.5% 11.1%
Working capital (a) $ (2,398) $ 799 $ 3,922 $ 5,038 $ 5,990
Additions to property, plant and equipment 2,876 2,536 2,036 2,047 2,191
Employees at year end
United States 125,000 131,000 124,000 125,000 128,000
Other countries 94,000 92,000 86,000 82,000 81,000
--------------------------------------------------
Total employees 219,000 223,000 210,000 207,000 209,000
==============================================================================================================
GECS DATA
Revenues $ 58,353 $ 66,177 $ 55,749 $ 48,694 $39,931
Earnings before accounting changes 5,586 5,192 4,443 3,796 3,256
Cumulative effect of accounting changes (169) -- -- -- --
Net earnings 5,417 5,192 4,443 3,796 3,256
Share owner's equity 28,590 23,022 20,321 19,727 17,239
Minority interest 4,267 3,968 4,391 3,459 3,113
Borrowings from others 239,935 205,371 200,025 172,200 141,263
Ratio of debt to equity at GE Capital 7.31:1 7.53:1 8.44:1 7.86:1 7.45:1
Total assets $ 425,484 $370,636 $345,018 $303,297 $255,408
Insurance premiums written 15,843 16,461 13,624 11,865 9,396
Employees at year end
United States (b) 33,000 37,000 43,000 38,000 37,000
Other countries 58,000 53,000 57,000 48,000 30,000
--------------------------------------------------
Total employees 91,000 90,000 100,000 86,000 67,000
==============================================================================================================
Transactions between GE and GECS have been eliminated from the consolidated
information.
(a) Working capital is defined as the sum of receivables from the sales of
goods and services plus inventories less trade accounts payable and
progress collections.
(b) Excludes employees of Montgomery Ward in 1999.
F-26
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 66
IMPAIRMENT OF INVESTMENT SECURITIES results in a charge to operations when a
market decline below cost is other than temporary. Management regularly reviews
each investment security for impairment based on criteria that include the
extent to which cost exceeds market value, the duration of that market decline
and the financial health of and specific prospects for the issuer. GECS
investment securities amounted to approximately $100 billion at year-end 2001.
Gross unrealized gains and losses included in that carrying amount related to
debt securities were $1.9 billion and $2.3 billion, respectively. Gross
unrealized gains and losses on equity securities were $0.2 billion and $0.4
billion, respectively. Of those securities whose carrying amount exceeds fair
value at year-end 2001, and based on application of GE's accounting policy for
impairment, approximately $600 million of portfolio value is at risk of being
charged to earnings in 2002. GECS actively performs comprehensive market
research, monitors market conditions and segments its investments by credit risk
in order to minimize impairment risks. Further information is provided in notes
1 and 9 and on page 58, which discusses the investment securities portfolio.
REVENUE RECOGNITION ON LONG-TERM AGREEMENTS to provide product services (product
services agreements) requires estimates of profits over the entire terms of such
agreements, considering factors such as the frequency and extent of future
maintenance events, cost of personnel, material and other resources required to
perform the services, and future cost changes. GE management routinely reviews
estimates under product services agreements; such estimates are regularly
revised to adjust for changes in outlook. Revisions that affect a product
services agreement's total estimated profitability will also result in an
immediate adjustment of earnings. Management regularly assesses customer credit
risk inherent in the carrying amounts of contract costs and estimated earnings
and provides for losses when they are incurred. Such carrying amounts for
product services agreements in progress at December 31, 2001 and 2000, were $2.3
billion and $1.7 billion, respectively. Adjustments to earnings resulting from
revisions to estimates on product services agreements have been insignificant
for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2001.
INSURANCE LIABILITIES AND RESERVES differ for short and long-duration insurance
contracts. Short-duration contracts such as property and casualty policies are
accounted for based on actuarial estimates of the amount of loss inherent in
that period's claims, including losses for which claims have not yet been
reported. Short-duration contract loss estimates rely on actuarial observations
of ultimate loss experience for similar historical events. Measurement of
long-duration insurance liabilities (such as term and whole life insurance
policies) also is based on approved actuarial techniques, but necessarily
includes assumptions about mortality, lapse rates and future yield on related
investments. GECS insurance liabilities, reserves and annuity benefits totaled
$114.2 billion at year-end 2001. Of that total, approximately $27.2 billion
related to unpaid claims and claims adjustment expenses for short-duration
insurance coverage. As discussed on page 56, there has been a recent shift in
the source of adverse loss development away from property to liability coverage.
Management continually evaluates the potential for changes in loss estimates,
both positive and negative, and uses the results of these evaluations both to
adjust recorded provisions and to adjust underwriting criteria and product
offerings. The potential for further adverse loss development in these areas is
highly uncertain. Further information about insurance liabilities is provided in
note 19.
OTHER LOSS CONTINGENCIES are recorded as liabilities when it is probable that a
liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss is reasonably estimable.
Disclosure is required when there is a reasonable possibility that the ultimate
loss will exceed the recorded provision. Contingent liabilities are often
resolved over long time periods. Estimating probable losses requires analysis of
multiple forecasts that often depend on judgments about potential actions by
third parties such as regulators.
OTHER SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, not involving the same level of
measurement uncertainties as those discussed above, are nevertheless important
to an understanding of the financial statements. Policies related to revenue
recognition, financial instruments and consolidation policy require difficult
judgments on complex matters that are often subject to multiple sources of
authoritative guidance. Certain of these matters are among topics currently
under reexamination by accounting standards setters and regulators. Although no
specific conclusions reached by these standard setters appear likely to cause a
material change in GE's accounting policies, outcomes cannot be predicted with
confidence. Also see note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, which
discusses accounting policies that must be selected by management when there are
acceptable alternatives.
F-27
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 67
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
CONSOLIDATION. The consolidated financial statements represent the adding
together of all affiliates-companies that General Electric Company directly or
indirectly controls. Results of associated companies-generally companies that
are 20% to 50% owned and over which General Electric Company, directly or
indirectly, has significant influence-are included in the financial statements
on a "one-line" basis.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION. Financial data and related measurements are
presented in the following categories:
o GE. This represents the adding together of all affiliates other than
General Electric Capital Services, Inc. (GECS), whose operations are
presented on a one-line basis.
o GECS. This affiliate owns all of the common stock of General Electric
Capital Corporation (GE Capital) and GE Global Insurance Holdings
Corporation (GE Global Insurance Holdings), the parent of Employers
Reinsurance Corporation. GE Capital, GE Global Insurance Holdings and their
respective affiliates are consolidated in the GECS columns and constitute
its business.
o CONSOLIDATED. This represents the adding together of GE and GECS.
The effects of transactions among related companies within and between each of
the above-mentioned groups are eliminated. Transactions between GE and GECS are
not material.
Certain prior-year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2001
presentation.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect reported amounts and related disclosures. Actual results
could differ from those estimates.
SALES OF GOODS AND SERVICES. Sales of goods are recorded when a firm sales
agreement is in place, delivery has occurred and collectibility of the fixed or
determinable sales price is reasonably assured. Sales of services are recorded
when performed in accordance with contracts. For long-term product services
agreements, estimated profit rates are used to record sales as work is
performed. Estimates are subject to change and may result in adjustments to
margins. Losses, if any, are provided for when probable. For contracts that
contain multiple products and/or services, amounts assigned to each component
are based on its objectively determined fair value, such as the sales price for
the component when it is sold separately or competitor prices for similar
components.
GECS REVENUES FROM SERVICES (EARNED INCOME). Income on all loans is recognized
on the interest method. Accrual of interest income is suspended at the earlier
of the time at which collection of an account becomes doubtful or the account
becomes 90 days delinquent. Interest income on impaired loans is recognized
either as cash is collected or on a cost-recovery basis as conditions warrant.
Financing lease income is recorded on the interest method so as to produce
a level yield on funds not yet recovered. Estimated unguaranteed residual values
of leased assets are based primarily on periodic independent appraisals of the
values of leased assets remaining at expiration of the lease terms.
Operating lease income is recognized on a straight-line basis over the
terms of underlying leases.
Origination, commitment and other nonrefundable fees related to fundings
are deferred and recorded in earned income on the interest method. Commitment
fees related to loans not expected to be funded and line-of-credit fees are
deferred and recorded in earned income on a straight-line basis over the period
to which the fees relate. Syndication fees are recorded in earned income at the
time related services are performed unless significant contingencies exist.
Income from investment and insurance activities is discussed on page 68.
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION. The cost of most of GE's manufacturing plant and
equipment is depreciated using an accelerated method based primarily on a
sum-of-the-years digits formula.
The cost of GECS equipment leased to others on operating leases is
amortized, principally on a straight-line basis, to estimated residual value
over the lease term or over the estimated economic life of the equipment.
Depreciation of property and equipment used by GECS is recorded on either a
sum-of-the-years digits formula or a straight-line basis over the lives of the
assets.
RECOGNITION OF LOSSES ON FINANCING RECEIVABLES. The allowance for losses on
small-balance receivables reflects management's best estimate of probable losses
inherent in the portfolio determined principally on the basis of historical
experience. For other receivables, principally the larger loans and leases, the
allowance for losses is determined primarily on the basis of management's best
estimate of probable losses, including specific allowances for known troubled
accounts.
All accounts or portions thereof deemed to be uncollectible or to require
an excessive collection cost are written off to the allowance for losses.
Small-balance accounts generally are written off when 6 to 12 months delinquent,
although any such balance judged to be uncollectible, such as an account in
bankruptcy, is written down immediately to estimated realizable value.
Large-balance accounts are reviewed at least quarterly, and those accounts with
amounts that are judged to be uncollectible are written down to estimated
realizable value.
When collateral is repossessed in satisfaction of a loan, the receivable is
written down against the allowance for losses to estimated fair value of the
asset less costs to sell, transferred to other assets and subsequently carried
at the lower of cost or estimated fair value less costs to sell. This accounting
method has been employed principally for specialized financing transactions.
F-28
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 68
CASH AND EQUIVALENTS. Debt securities with original maturities of three months
or less are included in cash equivalents unless designated as available for sale
and classified as investment securities.
INVESTMENT SECURITIES. Investments in debt and marketable equity securities are
reported at fair value based primarily on quoted market prices or, if quoted
prices are not available, discounted expected cash flows using market rates
commensurate with credit quality and maturity of the investment. Substantially
all investment securities are designated as available for sale, with unrealized
gains and losses included in share owners' equity, net of applicable taxes and
other adjustments. Investment securities are regularly reviewed for impairment
based on criteria that include the extent to which cost exceeds market value,
the duration of the market decline, and the financial health of and specific
prospects for the issuer. Unrealized losses that are other than temporary are
recognized in earnings. Realized gains and losses are accounted for on the
specific identification method.
INVENTORIES. All inventories are stated at the lower of cost or realizable
values. Cost for virtually all of GE's U.S. inventories is determined on a
last-in, first-out (LIFO) basis. Cost of other GE inventories is primarily
determined on a first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis. GECS inventories consist
primarily of finished products held for sale. Cost is primarily determined on a
FIFO basis.
INTANGIBLE ASSETS. Goodwill is amortized over its estimated period of benefit on
a straight-line basis; other intangible assets are amortized on appropriate
bases over their estimated lives. No amortization period exceeds 40 years. When
an intangible asset exceeds associated expected operating cash flows, it is
considered to be impaired and is written down to fair value, which is determined
based on either discounted future cash flows or appraised values.
GECS INSURANCE ACCOUNTING POLICIES. Accounting policies for GECS insurance
businesses follow.
PREMIUM INCOME. Insurance premiums are reported as earned income as follows:
o For short-duration insurance contracts (including property and casualty,
accident and health, and financial guaranty insurance), premiums are
reported as earned income, generally on a pro-rata basis, over the terms of
the related agreements. For retrospectively rated reinsurance contracts,
premium adjustments are recorded based on estimated losses and loss
expenses, taking into consideration both case and incurred-but-not-reported
reserves.
o For traditional long-duration insurance contracts (including term and whole
life contracts and annuities payable for the life of the annuitant),
premiums are reported as earned income when due.
o For investment contracts and universal life contracts, premiums received
are reported as liabilities, not as revenues. Universal life contracts are
long-duration insurance contracts with terms that are not fixed and
guaranteed; for these contracts, revenues are recognized for assessments
against the policyholder's account, mostly for mortality, contract
initiation, administration and surrender. Investment contracts are
contracts that have neither significant mortality nor significant morbidity
risk, including annuities payable for a determined period; for these
contracts, revenues are recognized on the associated investments and
amounts credited to policyholder accounts are charged to expense.
DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS. Costs that vary with and are primarily
related to the acquisition of new and renewal insurance and investment contracts
are deferred and amortized over the respective policy terms. For short-duration
insurance contracts, acquisition costs consist primarily of commissions,
brokerage expenses and premium taxes. For long-duration insurance contracts,
these costs consist primarily of first-year commissions in excess of recurring
renewal commissions, certain variable sales expenses and certain support costs
such as underwriting and policy issue expenses.
o For short-duration insurance contracts, these costs are amortized pro rata
over the contract periods in which the related premiums are earned.
o For traditional long-duration insurance contracts, these costs are
amortized over the respective contract periods in proportion to either
anticipated premium income or, in the case of limited-payment contracts,
estimated benefit payments.
o For investment contracts and universal life contracts, these costs are
amortized on the basis of anticipated gross profits.
Periodically, deferred policy acquisition costs are reviewed for recoverability;
anticipated investment income is considered in recoverability evaluations.
PRESENT VALUE OF FUTURE PROFITS. The actuarially determined present value of
anticipated net cash flows to be realized from insurance, annuity and investment
contracts in force at the date of acquisition of life insurance enterprises is
recorded as the present value of future profits and is amortized over the
respective policy terms in a manner similar to deferred policy acquisition
costs. Unamortized balances are adjusted to reflect experience and impairment,
if any.
ACCOUNTING CHANGES. At January 1, 2001, GE and GECS adopted Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) 133, ACCOUNTING FOR DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES, as amended. Under SFAS 133, all derivative instruments
(including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts) are
F-29
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 69
recognized in the balance sheet at their fair values and changes in fair value
are recognized immediately in earnings, unless the derivatives qualify as hedges
of future cash flows. For derivatives qualifying as hedges of future cash flows,
the effective portion of changes in fair value is recorded temporarily in
equity, then recognized in earnings along with the related effects of the hedged
items. Any ineffective portion of hedges is reported in earnings as it occurs.
Further information about derivatives and hedging is provided in note 29.
The cumulative effect of adopting this accounting change at January 1,
2001, was as follows:
Share owners'
(In millions) Earnings (a) equity
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjustment to fair value of derivatives $(502) $(1,340)
Income tax effects 178 513
----- -------
Total $(324) $ (827)
================================================================================
The earnings per share effect was $0.03.
(a) For earnings effect, amount shown is net of adjustment to hedged items.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The cumulative effect on earnings comprised two significant elements. One
element was associated with conversion option positions that were embedded in
financing agreements, and the other was a portion of the effect of marking to
market options and currency contracts used for hedging. The cumulative effect on
share owners' equity was primarily attributable to marking to market forward and
swap contracts used to hedge variable-rate borrowings. Decreases in the fair
values of these instruments were attributable to declines in interest rates
since inception of the hedging arrangements. As a matter of policy, GECS ensures
that funding, including the effect of derivatives, of its lending and other
financing asset positions are substantially matched in character (e.g., fixed
vs. floating) and duration. As a result, declines in the fair values of these
effective derivatives are offset by unrecognized gains on the related financing
assets and hedged items, and future earnings will not be subject to volatility
arising from interest rate changes.
In November 2000, the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) of the Financial
Accounting Standards Board reached a consensus on accounting for impairment of
retained beneficial interests (EITF 99-20). Under this consensus, impairment of
certain beneficial interests in securitized assets must be recognized when (1)
the asset's fair value is below its carrying value, and (2) it is probable that
there has been an adverse change in estimated cash flows. The cumulative effect
of adopting EITF 99-20 at January 1, 2001, was a one-time reduction of net
earnings of $120 million ($0.01 per share).
These accounting changes did not involve cash, and management expects that
they will have no more than a modest effect on future results.
2 GE OTHER INCOME
(In millions) 2001 2000 1999
----- ----- -----
Residual licensing and royalty income $ 75 $ 65 $ 67
Associated companies (106) (111) (1)
Marketable securities and bank deposits 184 55 105
Customer financing 11 22 17
Other items 269 467 668
----- ----- -----
$ 433 $ 498 $ 856
================================================================================
Other income in 1999 included a gain of $388 million related to the
contribution of certain of NBC's media properties to NBC Internet (NBCi), a
former publicly-traded company, in exchange for a noncontrolling interest in
NBCi. Assets contributed by NBC included its 100% interest in NBC.com,
NBC-IN.com and VideoSeeker.com as well as a 10% interest in a fourth property,
CNBC.com.
3 GECS REVENUES FROM SERVICES
(In millions) 2001 2000 1999
------- ------- -------
Time sales, loan and other income (a) $22,150 $22,326 $18,209
Operating lease rentals 6,088 6,183 6,022
Financing leases 4,261 3,688 3,587
Investment income 6,593 8,479 6,243
Premium and commission income of insurance
businesses 15,634 16,093 12,948
------- ------- -------
$54,726 $56,769 $47,009
================================================================================
(a) Includes gains on sales of financial assets through securitizations of
$1,327 million in 2001, compared with $489 million in 2000, which was
approximately the same as the 1999 amount.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
F-30
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 70
For insurance businesses, the effects of reinsurance on premiums written
and premium and commission income were as follows:
(In millions) 2001 2000 1999
-------- -------- --------
PREMIUMS WRITTEN
Direct $ 9,958 $ 9,390 $ 7,382
Assumed 9,603 9,552 8,520
Ceded (3,718) (2,481) (2,278)
-------- -------- --------
$ 15,843 $ 16,461 $ 13,624
-------- -------- --------
PREMIUM AND COMMISSION INCOME
Direct $ 9,912 $ 9,026 $ 7,002
Assumed 9,471 9,643 8,460
Ceded (3,749) (2,576) (2,514)
-------- -------- --------
$ 15,634 $ 16,093 $ 12,948
================================================================================
Reinsurance recoveries recognized as a reduction of insurance losses and
policyholder and annuity benefits amounted to $5,863 million, $3,232 million and
$2,648 million for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999,
respectively.
4 SUPPLEMENTAL COST INFORMATION
Total expenditures for research and development were $2,349 million, $2,193
million and $2,017 million in 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively. The
Company-funded portion aggregated $1,980 million in 2001, $1,867 million in 2000
and $1,667 million in 1999.
Rental expense under operating leases is shown below.
(In millions) 2001 2000 1999
----- ----- -----
GE $ 694 $ 648 $ 607
GECS 1,006 1,176 1,067
================================================================================
At December 31, 2001, minimum rental commitments under noncancelable
operating leases aggregated $2,608 million and $5,179 million for GE and GECS,
respectively. Amounts payable over the next five years follow.
(In millions) 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
GE $519 $410 $328 $277 $228
GECS 997 680 601 636 407
================================================================================
GE's selling, general and administrative expense totaled $8,637 million in
2001, $8,392 million in 2000 and $7,732 million in 1999. Insignificant amounts
of interest were capitalized by GE and GECS in 2001, 2000 and 1999.
5 RETIREE HEALTH AND LIFE BENEFITS
GE and its affiliates sponsor a number of retiree health and life insurance
benefit plans (retiree benefit plans). Principal retiree benefit plans are
discussed below; other such plans are not significant individually or in the
aggregate.
PRINCIPAL RETIREE BENEFIT PLANS generally provide health and life insurance
benefits to employees who retire under the GE Pension Plan (see note 6) with 10
or more years of service. Retirees share in the cost of healthcare benefits.
Benefit provisions are subject to collective bargaining. These plans cover
approximately 250,000 retirees and dependents.
The effect on operations of principal retiree benefit plans is shown in the
following table.
EFFECT ON OPERATIONS
(In millions) 2001 2000 1999
----- ----- -----
Expected return on plan assets $(185) $(178) $(165)
Service cost for benefits earned 191 165 107
Interest cost on benefit obligation 459 402 323
Prior service cost 90 49 8
Net actuarial loss recognized 60 40 45
----- ----- -----
Total cost $ 615 $ 478 $ 318
================================================================================
FUNDING POLICY for retiree health benefits is generally to pay covered expenses
as they are incurred. GE funds retiree life insurance benefits at its
discretion.
Changes in the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation for retiree
benefit plans follow.
ACCUMULATED POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT OBLIGATION (APBO)
(In millions) 2001 2000
------- -------
Balance at January 1 $ 6,422 $ 4,926
Service cost for benefits earned 191 165
Interest cost on benefit obligation 459 402
Participant contributions 30 25
Plan amendments -- 948
Actuarial loss 287 534
Benefits paid (593) (578)
------- -------
Balance at December 31 (a) $ 6,796 $ 6,422
================================================================================
(a) The APBO for the health plans was $4,965 million and $4,688 million at
year-end 2001 and 2000, respectively.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
F-31
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 71
Changes in the fair value of assets for retiree benefit plans follow.
FAIR VALUE OF ASSETS
(In millions) 2001 2000
------- -------
Balance at January 1 $ 2,031 $ 2,369
Actual return on plan assets (163) (85)
Employer contributions 466 300
Participant contributions 30 25
Benefits paid (593) (578)
------- -------
Balance at December 31 $ 1,771 $ 2,031
================================================================================
Plan assets are held in trust and consist mainly of common stock and
fixed-income investments. GE common stock represented 6.4% and 6.9% of trust
assets at year-end 2001 and 2000, respectively.
GE recorded assets and liabilities for retiree benefit plans are as
follows:
RETIREE BENEFIT ASSET/(LIABILITY)
December 31 (In millions) 2001 2000
------- -------
Funded status (a) $(5,025) $(4,391)
Unrecognized prior service cost 909 999
Unrecognized net actuarial loss 1,393 818
------- --------
Net liability recognized $(2,723) $(2,574)
======= ========
Amounts recorded in the Statement
of Financial Position:
Prepaid retiree life plans asset $ 66 $ 8
Retiree health plans liability (2,789) (2,582)
------- --------
Net liability recognized $(2,723) $(2,574)
================================================================================
(a) Fair value of assets less APBO, as shown in the preceding tables.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACTUARIAL ASSUMPTIONS used to determine costs and benefit obligations for
principal retiree benefit plans follow.
ACTUARIAL ASSUMPTIONS
December 31 2001 2000 1999
---- ---- ----
Discount rate 7.25% 7.5% 7.75%
Compensation increases 5.0 5.0 5.0
Healthcare cost trend (a) 11.6 10.0 9.0
Return on assets for the year (b) 9.5 9.5 9.5
================================================================================
(a) For 2001, gradually declining to 5.0% after 2009.
(b) For 2002, the return on assets actuarial assumption will be 8.5%.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increasing or decreasing the healthcare cost trend rates by one percentage
point would have had an insignificant effect on the December 31, 2001,
accumulated postretirement benefit obligation and the annual cost of retiree
health plans.
Experience gains and losses, as well as the effects of changes in actuarial
assumptions and plan provisions, are amortized over the average future service
period of employees.
6 PENSION BENEFITS
GE and its affiliates sponsor a number of pension plans. Principal pension plans
are discussed below; other pension plans are not significant individually or in
the aggregate.
PRINCIPAL PENSION PLANS are the GE Pension Plan and the GE Supplementary Pension
Plan.
The GE Pension Plan provides benefits to certain U.S. employees based on
the greater of a formula recognizing career earnings or a formula recognizing
length of service and final average earnings. Benefit provisions are subject to
collective bargaining. The GE Pension Plan covers approximately 503,000
participants, including 141,000 employees, 164,000 former employees with vested
rights to future benefits, and 198,000 retirees and beneficiaries receiving
benefits.
The GE Supplementary Pension Plan is a pay-as-you-go plan providing
supplementary retirement benefits primarily to higher-level, longer-service U.S.
employees.
Details of the effect on operations of principal pension plans, and the
total effect on cost of postretirement benefit plans, follow.
EFFECT ON OPERATIONS
(In millions) 2001 2000 1999
------- ------- -------
Expected return on plan assets $ 4,327 $ 3,754 $ 3,407
Service cost for benefits earned (a) (884) (780) (693)
Interest cost on benefit obligation (2,065) (1,966) (1,804)
Prior service cost (244) (237) (151)
SFAS 87 transition gain -- 154 154
Net actuarial gain recognized 961 819 467
------- ------- -------
Income from pensions 2,095 1,744 1,380
------- ------- -------
Retiree benefit plans cost (note 5) (615) (478) (318)
------- ------- -------
Net cost reductions from
postretirement benefit plans $ 1,480 $ 1,266 $ 1,062
================================================================================
(a) Net of participant contributions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FUNDING POLICY for the GE Pension Plan is to contribute amounts sufficient to
meet minimum funding requirements as set forth in employee benefit and tax laws
plus such additional amounts as GE may determine to be appropriate. GE has not
made contributions to the GE Pension Plan since 1987 because the fully funded
status of the Plan precludes a current tax deduction and because any GE
contribution would require payment of excise taxes.
F-32
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 72
Changes in the projected benefit obligation for principal pension plans
follow.
PROJECTED BENEFIT OBLIGATION (PBO)
(In millions) 2001 2000
-------- --------
Balance at January 1 $ 28,535 $ 25,522
Service cost for benefits earned (a) 884 780
Interest cost on benefit obligation 2,065 1,966
Participant contributions 141 140
Plan amendments -- 1,155
Actuarial loss (b) 889 970
Benefits paid (2,091) (1,998)
-------- --------
Balance at December 31 $ 30,423 $ 28,535
================================================================================
(a) Net of participant contributions.
(b) Principally associated with discount rate changes.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Changes in the fair value of assets for principal pension plans follow.
FAIR VALUE OF ASSETS
(In millions) 2001 2000
-------- --------
Balance at January 1 $ 49,757 $ 50,243
Actual return on plan assets (2,876) 1,287
Employer contributions 75 85
Participant contributions 141 140
Benefits paid (2,091) (1,998)
-------- --------
Balance at December 31 $ 45,006 $ 49,757
================================================================================
Plan assets are held in trust and consist mainly of common stock and
fixed-income investments. GE common stock represented 8.6% and 9.2% of trust
assets at year-end 2001 and 2000, respectively.
GE recorded assets and liabilities for principal pension plans are as
follows:
PREPAID PENSION ASSET/(LIABILITY)
December 31 (In millions) 2001 2000
-------- --------
Funded status (a) $ 14,583 $ 21,222
Unrecognized prior service cost 1,373 1,617
Unrecognized net actuarial gain (3,541) (12,594)
-------- --------
Net asset recognized $ 12,415 $ 10,245
======== ========
Amounts recorded in the Statement of
Financial Position:
Prepaid pension asset $ 13,740 $ 11,377
Supplementary Pension Plan liability (1,325) (1,132)
-------- --------
Net asset recognized $ 12,415 $ 10,245
================================================================================
(a) Fair value of assets less PBO, as shown in the preceding tables.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACTUARIAL ASSUMPTIONS used to determine costs and benefit obligations for
principal pension plans follow.
ACTUARIAL ASSUMPTIONS
December 31 2001 2000 1999
---- ---- ----
Discount rate 7.25% 7.5% 7.75%
Compensation increases 5.0 5.0 5.0
Return on assets for the year (a) 9.5 9.5 9.5
================================================================================
(a) For 2002, the return on assets actuarial assumption will be 8.5%.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Experience gains and losses, as well as the effects of changes in actuarial
assumptions and plan provisions, are amortized over the average future service
period of employees.
F-33
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 73
7 PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
(In millions) 2001 2000 1999
------ ------ ------
GE
Current tax expense $3,632 $3,331 $2,555
Deferred tax expense from
temporary differences 561 468 652
------ ------ ------
4,193 3,799 3,207
------ ------ ------
GECS
Current tax expense 517 1,229 806
Deferred tax expense from
temporary differences 863 683 847
------ ------ ------
1,380 1,912 1,653
------ ------ ------
CONSOLIDATED
Current tax expense 4,149 4,560 3,361
Deferred tax expense from
temporary differences 1,424 1,151 1,499
------ ------ ------
$5,573 $5,711 $4,860
================================================================================
GE includes GECS in filing a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return.
The GECS provision for current tax expense includes its effect on the
consolidated return.
Consolidated current tax expense includes amounts applicable to U.S.
federal income taxes of $2,514 million, $3,005 million and $1,632 million in
2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively, and amounts applicable to non-U.S.
jurisdictions of $1,225 million, $1,246 million and $1,399 million in 2001, 2000
and 1999, respectively. Consolidated deferred tax expense related to U.S.
federal income taxes was $1,455 million, $1,095 million and $1,475 million in
2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively.
Deferred income tax balances reflect the impact of temporary differences
between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases and
are stated at enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when taxes are actually
paid or recovered. See note 21 for details.
Except for certain earnings that GE intends to reinvest indefinitely,
provision has been made for the estimated U.S. federal income tax liabilities
applicable to undistributed earnings of affiliates and associated companies. It
is not practicable to determine the U.S. federal income tax liability, if any,
that would be payable if such earnings were not reinvested indefinitely.
Consolidated U.S. income before taxes and cumulative effect of accounting
changes was $13.9 billion in 2001, $12.9 billion in 2000 and $11.3 billion in
1999. The corresponding amounts for non-U.S.-based operations were $5.8 billion
in 2001, $5.5 billion in 2000 and $4.3 billion in 1999.
A reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory tax rate to the actual tax
rate is provided below.
RECONCILIATION OF U.S. FEDERAL STATUTORY TAX RATE TO ACTUAL RATE
CONSOLIDATED GE GECS
------------------------- ---------------------- ----------------------
2001 2000 1999 2001 2000 1999 2001 2000 1999
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Statutory U.S. federal income tax rate 35.0% 35.0% 35.0% 35.0% 35.0% 35.0% 35.0% 35.0% 35.0%
Increase (reduction) in rate resulting from:
Inclusion of after-tax earnings of GECS in
before-tax earnings of GE -- -- -- (10.7) (11.0) (11.2) -- -- --
Amortization of goodwill 1.0 1.1 1.1 0.8 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.1 1.0
Tax-exempt income (1.3) (1.5) (1.7) -- -- -- (3.8) (4.0) (4.4)
Tax on international activities including
exports (5.4) (4.9) (4.2) (3.2) (3.0) (2.6) (6.7) (5.8) (4.8)
Americom/Rollins goodwill (1.1) -- -- -- -- -- (3.2) -- --
All other-net 0.1 1.3 1.0 1.0 1.3 1.0 (2.4) 0.6 0.3
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
(6.7) (4.0) (3.8) (12.1) (12.0) (12.0) (15.2) (8.1) (7.9)
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Actual income tax rate 28.3% 31.0% 31.2% 22.9% 23.0% 23.0% 19.8% 26.9% 27.1%
===============================================================================================================================
F-34
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 74
8 EARNINGS PER SHARE INFORMATION
2001 2000 1999
------------------ ---------------- ----------------
(In millions; per-share amounts in dollars) Diluted Basic Diluted Basic Diluted Basic
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS
Earnings before accounting changes $ 14,128 $ 14,128 $12,735 $12,735 $10,717 $10,717
Dividend equivalents-net of tax 12 -- 11 -- 8 --
-------- -------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Earnings before accounting changes
for per-share calculation 14,140 14,128 12,746 12,735 10,725 10,717
Cumulative effect of accounting changes (444) (444) -- -- -- --
-------- -------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net earnings available for per-share calculation $ 13,696 $ 13,684 $12,746 $12,735 $10,725 $10,717
-------- -------- ------- ------- ------- -------
AVERAGE EQUIVALENT SHARES
Shares of GE common stock outstanding 9,932 9,932 9,897 9,897 9,833 9,833
Employee compensation-related shares,
including stock options 120 -- 160 -- 163 --
-------- -------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total average equivalent shares 10,052 9,932 10,057 9,897 9,996 9,833
-------- -------- ------- ------- ------- -------
PER-SHARE AMOUNTS
Earnings before accounting changes $ 1.41 $ 1.42 $ 1.27 $ 1.29 $ 1.07 $ 1.09
Cumulative effect of accounting changes (0.04) (0.04) -- -- -- --
-------- -------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net earnings per share $ 1.37 $ 1.38 $ 1.27 $ 1.29 $ 1.07 $ 1.09
==========================================================================================================
9 INVESTMENT SECURITIES
2001 2000
------------------------------------------ -------------------------------------------
Gross Gross Gross Gross
Amortized unrealized unrealized Estimated Amortized unrealized unrealized Estimated
cost gains losses fair value cost gains losses fair value
-------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------- ---------- ---------- ----------
GE SECURITIES
Debt-U.S. corporate $ 350 $ 99 $ -- $ 449 $ 364 $ 209 $ -- $ 573
Equity 412 47 (29) 430 316 266 (146) 436
-------- ------- --------- -------- ------- ------- -------- -------
762 146 (29) 879 680 475 (146) 1,009
-------- ------- --------- -------- ------- ------- -------- -------
GECS SECURITIES
Debt
U.S. corporate 47,391 880 (1,626) 46,645 39,078 459 (1,282) 38,255
State and municipal 12,518 180 (136) 12,562 13,272 499 (139) 13,632
Mortgage-backed 16,442 424 (90) 16,776 13,683 323 (160) 13,846
Corporate-non-U.S 13,088 232 (277) 13,043 12,640 374 (168) 12,846
Government-non-U.S 6,104 183 (124) 6,163 5,059 104 (108) 5,055
U.S. government and
federal agency 1,233 25 (32) 1,226 2,106 15 (42) 2,079
Equity 3,926 178 (381) 3,723 4,392 703 (478) 4,617
-------- ------- --------- -------- ------- ------- -------- -------
100,702 2,102 (2,666) 100,138 90,230 2,477 (2,377) 90,330
-------- ------- --------- -------- ------- ------- -------- -------
$101,464 $ 2,248 $ (2,695) $101,017 $90,910 $ 2,952 $ (2,523) $91,339
================================================================================================================
A substantial portion of mortgage-backed securities shown in the table above are collateralized by U.S.
residential mortgages.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
F-35
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 75
CONTRACTUAL MATURITIES OF GECS INVESTMENT IN DEBT SECURITIES (EXCLUDING
MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES)
Amortized Estimated
(In millions) cost fair value
--------- ----------
Due in
2002 $ 5,184 $ 5,244
2003-2006 17,382 17,293
2007-2011 20,858 20,600
2012 and later 36,910 36,502
================================================================================
It is expected that actual maturities will differ from contractual maturities
because borrowers have the right to call or prepay certain obligations.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supplemental information about gross realized gains and losses of
investment securities follows.
(In millions) 2001 2000 1999
------- ------- -------
GE
Gains $ 236 $ 8 $ 24
Losses (100) (76) --
------- ------- -------
Net 136 (68) 24
------- ------- -------
GECS
Gains (a) 1,800 3,581 1,406
Losses (838) (714) (484)
------- ------- -------
Net 962 2,867 922
------- ------- -------
$ 1,098 $ 2,799 $ 946
================================================================================
(a) Includes $1,366 million, in 2000, from the sale of GECS investment in
common stock of Paine Webber Group, Inc. Proceeds from securities sales
amounted to $39,950 million in 2001, $24,748 million in 2000 and $18,521
million in 1999.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 GE CURRENT RECEIVABLES
December 31 (In millions) 2001 2000
-------- --------
Aircraft Engines $ 1,976 $ 1,840
Appliances 341 327
Industrial Products and Systems 1,140 1,246
Materials 1,008 1,126
NBC 335 384
Power Systems 3,587 3,668
Technical Products and Services 1,341 1,128
Corporate items and eliminations 439 358
-------- --------
10,167 10,077
Less allowance for losses (362) (350)
-------- --------
$ 9,805 $ 9,727
================================================================================
Receivables balances at December 31, 2001 and 2000, before allowance for
losses, included $5,893 million and $6,323 million, respectively, from sales of
goods and services to customers, and $447 million and $233 million,
respectively, from transactions with associated companies.
Current receivables of $270 million at year-end 2001 and $227 million at
year-end 2000 arose from sales, principally of aircraft engine goods and
services, on open account to various agencies of the U.S. government, which is
GE's largest single customer. About 4%, 3% and 4% of GE's sales of goods and
services were to the U.S. government in 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively.
11 INVENTORIES
December 31 (In millions) 2001 2000
------- -------
GE
Raw materials and work in process $ 4,708 $ 4,134
Finished goods 3,951 3,614
Unbilled shipments 312 243
------- -------
8,971 7,991
Less revaluation to LIFO (676) (845)
------- -------
8,295 7,146
------- -------
GECS
Finished goods 270 666
------- -------
$ 8,565 $ 7,812
================================================================================
LIFO revaluations decreased $169 million in 2001, compared with decreases
of $82 million in 2000 and $84 million in 1999. Included in these changes were
decreases of $8 million, $6 million and $4 million in 2001, 2000 and 1999,
respectively, that resulted from lower LIFO inventory levels. There were net
cost decreases in each of the last three years. As of December 31, 2001, GE is
obligated to acquire certain raw materials at market prices through the year
2016 under various take-or-pay or similar arrangements. Annual minimum
commitments under these arrangements are insignificant.
F-36
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 76
12 GECS FINANCING RECEIVABLES (INVESTMENTS IN TIME SALES, LOANS AND FINANCING
LEASES)
December 31 (In millions) 2001 2000
--------- ---------
TIME SALES AND LOANS
Consumer services $ 45,741 $ 43,954
Specialized financing 16,913 14,567
Mid-market financing 57,600 35,436
Equipment management 2,391 1,385
Other 41 928
--------- ---------
122,686 96,270
--------- ---------
INVESTMENT IN FINANCING LEASES
Direct financing leases 49,412 46,186
Leveraged leases 6,735 4,877
--------- ---------
56,147 51,063
--------- ---------
178,833 147,333
Less allowance for losses (note 13) (4,801) (4,034)
--------- ---------
$ 174,032 $ 143,299
================================================================================
Time sales and loans represents transactions in a variety of forms,
including time sales, revolving charge and credit, mortgages, installment loans,
intermediate-term loans and revolving loans secured by business assets. The
portfolio includes time sales and loans carried at the principal amount on which
finance charges are billed periodically, and time sales and loans carried at
gross book value, which includes finance charges. At year-end 2001 and 2000,
commercial real estate loans and leases of $25,466 million and $21,329 million,
respectively, were included in either financing receivables or GECS insurance
receivables. Note 17 contains information on airline loans and leases.
Investment in financing leases consists of direct financing and leveraged
leases of aircraft, railroad rolling stock, autos, other transportation
equipment, data processing equipment and medical equipment, as well as other
manufacturing, power generation, commercial real estate, and commercial
equipment and facilities.
As the sole owner of assets under direct financing leases and as the equity
participant in leveraged leases, GECS is taxed on total lease payments received
and is entitled to tax deductions based on the cost of leased assets and tax
deductions for interest paid to third-party participants. GECS is generally
entitled to any residual value of leased assets.
Investment in direct financing and leveraged leases represents net unpaid
rentals and estimated unguaranteed residual values of leased equipment, less
related deferred income. GECS has no general obligation for principal and
interest on notes and other instruments representing third-party participation
related to leveraged leases; such notes and other instruments have not been
included in liabilities but have been offset against the related rentals
receivable. The GECS share of rentals receivable on leveraged leases is
subordinate to the share of other participants who also have security interests
in the leased equipment.
NET INVESTMENT IN FINANCING LEASES
Total Direct
financing leases financing leases Leveraged leases
------------------- ------------------- -------------------
December 31 (In millions) 2001 2000 2001 2000 2001 2000
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total minimum lease payments receivable $ 83,316 $ 74,960 $ 53,870 $ 50,556 $ 29,446 $ 24,404
Less principal and interest on third-party
nonrecourse debt (22,588) (19,773) -- -- (22,588) (19,773)
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net rentals receivable 60,728 55,187 53,870 50,556 6,858 4,631
Estimated unguaranteed residual value of
leased assets 8,996 7,314 5,544 4,602 3,452 2,712
Less deferred income (13,577) (11,438) (10,002) (8,972) (3,575) (2,466)
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
INVESTMENT IN FINANCING LEASES
(AS SHOWN ABOVE) 56,147 51,063 49,412 46,186 6,735 4,877
Less amounts to arrive at net investment
Allowance for losses (679) (646) (606) (558) (73) (88)
Deferred taxes (9,168) (8,408) (4,643) (4,496) (4,525) (3,912)
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
NET INVESTMENT IN FINANCING LEASES $ 46,300 $ 42,009 $ 44,163 $ 41,132 $ 2,137 $ 877
===========================================================================================================
F-37
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 77
CONTRACTUAL MATURITIES
Total time sales Net rentals
(In millions) and loans (a) receivable (a)
----------------- --------------
Due in
2002 $ 39,162 $15,303
2003 22,585 13,116
2004 19,723 9,057
2005 10,247 6,284
2006 7,729 3,520
2007 and later 23,240 13,448
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $122,686 $60,728
================================================================================
(a) Experience has shown that a substantial portion of receivables will be paid
prior to contractual maturity, and these amounts should not be regarded as
forecasts of future cash flows.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nonearning consumer receivables were $1,540 million and $1,139 million at
December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively, a substantial amount of which were
private-label credit card loans. Nonearning and reduced-earning receivables
other than consumer receivables were $1,734 million and $949 million at year-end
2001 and 2000, respectively.
"Impaired" loans are defined by generally accepted accounting principles as
large balance 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. An analysis of impaired loans follows.
December 31 (In millions) 2001 2000
------ ----
Loans requiring allowance for losses $1,041 $475
Loans expected to be fully recoverable 574 384
------ ----
$1,615(a) $859
====== ====
Allowance for losses $ 422 $166
Average investment during year 1,121 801
Interest income earned while impaired (b) 17 20
================================================================================
(a) Includes $408 million of loans classified as impaired by Heller Financial,
Inc., which was acquired in October 2001.
(b) Recognized principally on cash basis.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13 GECS ALLOWANCE FOR LOSSES ON FINANCING RECEIVABLES
(In millions) 2001 2000 1999
------- ------- -------
Balance at January 1 $ 4,034 $ 3,708 $ 3,223
Provisions charged to operations 2,481 2,045 1,671
Net transfers primarily related
to acquisitions and sales 564 22 271
Amounts written off-net (2,278) (1,741) (1,457)
------- ------- -------
Balance at December 31 $ 4,801 $ 4,034 $ 3,708
================================================================================
14 GECS INSURANCE RECEIVABLES
At year-end 2001 and 2000, GECS insurance receivables included reinsurance
recoverables of $12,606 million and $8,240 million and receivables at insurance
affiliates of $14,711 million and $15,562 million, respectively. Receivables at
insurance affiliates include premium receivables, investments in whole real
estate and other loans, policy loans and funds on deposit with reinsurers.
F-38
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 78
15 PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (INCLUDING EQUIPMENT LEASED TO OTHERS)
December 31 (In millions) 2001 2000
------- -------
ORIGINAL COST
GE
Land and improvements $ 577 $ 544
Buildings, structures and related
equipment 7,281 6,982
Machinery and equipment 21,414 20,792
Leasehold costs and manufacturing
plant under construction 1,960 1,871
------- -------
31,232 30,189
------- -------
GECS
Buildings and equipment 3,600 5,753
Equipment leased to others
Aircraft 16,173 12,888
Vehicles 10,779 9,872
Railroad rolling stock 3,439 3,459
Marine shipping containers 1,618 2,196
Mobile and modular structures 1,325 1,288
Information technology equipment 1,321 1,069
Construction and manufacturing
equipment 799 591
Scientific, medical and other
equipment 1,001 685
------- -------
40,055 37,801
------- -------
$71,287 $67,990
======= =======
ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
AND AMORTIZATION
GE $18,433 $17,990
GECS
Buildings and equipment 1,579 2,084
Equipment leased to others 9,135 7,901
------- -------
$29,147 $27,975
================================================================================
Amortization of GECS equipment leased to others was $2,958 million, $2,620
million and $2,673 million in 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively. Noncancelable
future rentals due from customers for equipment on operating leases at year-end
2001 totaled $16,072 million and are due as follows: $3,954 million in 2002;
$3,183 million in 2003; $2,396 million in 2004; $1,749 million in 2005; $1,245
million in 2006; and $3,545 million thereafter.
16 INTANGIBLE ASSETS
December 31 (In millions) 2001 2000
------- -------
GE
Goodwill $12,354 $11,962
Other intangibles 578 462
------- -------
12,932 12,424
------- -------
GECS
Goodwill 15,933 11,550
Present value of future profits (PVFP) 2,198 2,780
Other intangibles 586 687
------- -------
18,717 15,017
------- -------
$31,649 $27,441
================================================================================
GE intangible assets are net of accumulated amortization of $3,854 million in
2001 and $3,413 million in 2000. GECS intangible assets are net of accumulated
amortization of $6,954 million in 2001 and $5,815 million in 2000.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The amount of goodwill amortization included in net earnings (net of income
taxes) in 2001, 2000 and 1999 was $499 million, $439 million and $395 million
for GE and $552 million, $620 million and $512 million for GECS, respectively.
PVFP amortization, which is on an accelerated basis and net of interest, is
projected to range from 13% to 6% of the year-end 2001 unamortized balance for
each of the next five years.
F-39
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 79
17 ALL OTHER ASSETS
December 31 (In millions) 2001 2000
-------- --------
GE
Investments
Associated companies (a) $ 2,539 $ 2,670
Other 1,336 1,888
-------- --------
3,875 4,558
Prepaid pension asset 13,740 11,377
Contract costs and estimated earnings 2,292 1,736
Prepaid broadcasting rights 1,108 967
Long-term receivables, including notes 909 1,987
Derivative instruments (b) 254 83
Other 3,808 3,320
-------- --------
25,986 24,028
-------- --------
GECS
Investments
Associated companies (a) 14,415 12,785
Real estate 8,141 6,496
Assets acquired for resale 1,725 1,394
Other 5,222 5,207
-------- --------
29,503 25,882
Separate accounts 10,403 11,705
Deferred insurance acquisition costs 6,768 5,815
Derivative instruments (b) 2,066 314
Servicing assets (c) 1,139 1,449
Other 5,209 5,201
-------- --------
55,088 50,366
-------- --------
ELIMINATIONS (548) (507)
-------- --------
$ 80,526 $ 73,887
================================================================================
(a) Includes advances to associated companies which are non-controlled,
non-consolidated equity investments.
(b) Amounts at December 31, 2001, are stated at fair value in accordance with
SFAS 133; corresponding amounts at December 31, 2000, are stated at
amortized cost. See note 29 for a discussion of the types and uses of
derivative instruments.
(c) Associated primarily with serviced residential mortgage loans amounting to
$59 billion and $81 billion at December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In line with industry practice, sales of commercial jet aircraft engines
often involve long-term customer financing commitments. In making such
commitments, it is GE's general practice to require that it have or be able to
establish a secured position in the aircraft being financed. Under such airline
financing programs, GE had issued guarantees amounting to $1,181 million at
year-end 2001 and $1,160 million at year-end 2000; and it had entered into
commitments totaling $1,497 million and $1,476 million at year-end 2001 and
2000, respectively, to provide financial assistance on future aircraft engine
sales. Net of reserves, the estimated fair values of the aircraft securing these
guarantees exceeded the related guaranteed amounts at December 31, 2001. GECS
acts as a lender and lessor to the commercial airline industry. At December 31,
2001 and 2000, the balance of such GECS loans and leases was $21.5 billion and
$15.3 billion, respectively. In addition, at December 31, 2001, GECS had issued
financial guarantees and funding commitments of $0.9 billion ($0.6 billion at
year-end 2000), credit and liquidity support agreements to special purpose
entities sponsored by GECS of $0.9 billion ($0.6 billion at year-end 2000) and
had placed multi-year orders for various Boeing, Airbus and other aircraft with
list prices of approximately $19.9 billion ($22.9 billion at year-end 2000).
At year-end 2001, the National Broadcasting Company had $6,646 million of
commitments to acquire broadcast material and the rights to broadcast television
programs, including U.S. television rights to future Olympic Games, and
commitments under long-term television station affiliation agreements that
require payments through the year 2010.
In connection with numerous projects, primarily power generation bids and
contracts, GE had issued various bid and performance bonds and guarantees
totaling $3,704 million at year-end 2001 and $4,599 million at year-end 2000.
Separate accounts represent investments controlled by policyholders and are
associated with identical amounts reported as insurance liabilities in note 19.
F-40
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 80
18 BORROWINGS
SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS
2001 2000
---------------------- ----------------------
December 31 Average Average
(In millions) Amount rate (a) Amount rate (a)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GE
Commercial paper
Non-U.S $ 266 3.87% $ 172 5.77%
Payable to banks,
principally non-U.S 1,160 5.58 527 11.30
Current portion of
long-term debt 80 6.46 71 7.90
Other 216 170
-------- --------
1,722 940
-------- --------
GECS
Commercial paper
U.S 100,170 2.21 77,525 6.67
Non-U.S 17,289 3.36 16,965 5.46
Current portion of
long-term debt 30,952 5.08 19,283 5.95
Other 12,590 10,219
-------- --------
161,001 123,992
-------- --------
Foreign currency
loss (b) (157) --
-------- --------
160,844 123,992
-------- --------
ELIMINATIONS (9,490) (5,752)
-------- --------
$153,076 $119,180
================================================================================
LONG-TERM BORROWINGS
2001
December 31 Average
(In millions) rate (a) Maturities 2001 2000
-------- ---------- ---- ----
GE
Industrial development/
pollution control bonds 2.53% 2003-2027 $ 336 $ 334
Payable to banks,
principally non-U.S. 5.36 2003-2007 241 255
Other (c) 210 252
-------- -------
787 841
-------- -------
GECS
Senior notes 4.89 2003-2055 78,347 80,383
Subordinated notes (d) 7.74 2006-2035 1,171 996
-------- -------
79,518 81,379
-------- -------
Foreign currency loss (b) (427) --
-------- -------
79,091 81,379
-------- -------
ELIMINATIONS (72) (88)
-------- -------
$ 79,806 $82,132
================================================================================
(a) Based on year-end balances and year-end local currency interest rates,
including the effects of interest rate and currency swaps, if any, directly
associated with the original debt issuance.
(b) Total GECS borrowings in 2001 exclude the foreign exchange effects of
related currency swaps in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 133.
(c) A variety of obligations having various interest rates and maturities,
including certain borrowings by parent operating components and affiliates.
(d) At year-end 2001 and 2000, $996 million of subordinated notes were
guaranteed by GE.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Borrowings of GE and GECS are addressed below from two
perspectives-liquidity and interest rate risk management. Additional information
about borrowings and associated swaps can be found in note 29.
LIQUIDITY requirements of GE and GECS are principally met through the credit
markets. Maturities of long-term borrowings (including the current portion)
during the next five years follow.
(In millions) 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GE $ 80 $ 97 $ 203 $ 13 $ 101
GECS 30,795 25,713 14,630 9,907 6,469
================================================================================
Committed credit lines of $4.7 billion had been extended to GE by 22 banks
at year-end 2001. All of GE's credit lines are available to GECS and its
affiliates in addition to their own credit lines.
At year-end 2001, GECS held committed lines of credit aggregating $28.6
billion, including $12.2 billion of revolving credit agreements pursuant to
which it has the right to borrow funds for periods exceeding one year. Both GE
and GECS compensate banks for credit facilities in the form of fees, which were
insignificant in each of the past three years.
INTEREST RATE RISK is managed by GECS in light of the anticipated behavior,
including prepayment behavior, of assets in which debt proceeds are invested. A
variety of instruments, including interest rate and currency swaps and currency
forwards, are employed to achieve management's interest rate objectives.
Effective interest rates are lower under these "synthetic" positions than could
have been achieved by issuing debt directly.
The following table shows GECS borrowing positions considering the effects
of currency and interest rate swaps.
GECS EFFECTIVE BORROWINGS (INCLUDING SWAPS)
2001 2000
---------------------- --------
December 31 Average
(In millions) Amount rate Amount
-------- ------- --------
Short-term (a) $101,101 2.56% $ 80,162
======== ========
Long-term (including current
portion)
Fixed rate (b) $105,387 5.59% $ 98,905
Floating rate 34,031 3.23 26,304
-------- --------
Total long-term $139,418 $125,209
================================================================================
(a) Includes commercial paper and other short-term debt.
(b) Includes fixed-rate borrowings and $28.9 billion ($24.5 billion in 2000)
notional long-term interest rate swaps that effectively convert the
floating-rate nature of short-term borrowings to fixed rates of interest.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At December 31, 2001, swap maturities ranged from 2002 to 2048.
F-41
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 81
19 GECS INSURANCE LIABILITIES, RESERVES AND ANNUITY BENEFITS
December 31 (In millions) 2001 2000
-------- --------
Investment contracts and universal
life benefits $ 39,052 $ 33,232
Life insurance benefits (a) 31,198 32,288
Unpaid claims and claims adjustment
expenses (b) 27,233 22,886
Unearned premiums 6,337 6,039
Separate accounts (see note 17) 10,403 11,705
-------- --------
$114,223 $106,150
================================================================================
(a) Life insurance benefits are accounted for mainly by a net-level-premium
method using estimated yields generally ranging from 2% to 9% in both 2001
and 2000.
(b) Principally property and casualty reserves; includes amounts for both
reported and incurred-but-not-reported claims, reduced by anticipated
salvage and subrogation recoveries. Estimates of liabilities are reviewed
and updated continually, with changes in estimated losses reflected in
operations.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When GECS cedes insurance to third parties, it is not relieved of its
primary obligation to policyholders. Losses on ceded risks give rise to claims
for recovery; allowances for probable losses are established on such receivables
from reinsurers as required.
The insurance liability for unpaid claims and claims adjustment expenses
related to policies that may cover environmental and asbestos exposures is based
on known facts and an assessment of applicable law and coverage litigation.
Liabilities are recognized for both known and unasserted claims (including the
cost of related litigation) when sufficient information has been developed to
indicate that a claim has been incurred and a range of potential losses can be
reasonably estimated. Developed case law and adequate claim history do not exist
for certain claims principally due to significant uncertainties as to both the
level of ultimate losses that will occur and what portion, if any, will be
deemed to be insured amounts.
A summary of activity affecting unpaid claims and claims adjustment
expenses, principally in property and casualty lines follows.
(In millions) 2001 2000 1999
-------- -------- --------
Balance at January 1-gross $ 22,886 $ 21,473 $ 19,611
Less reinsurance recoverables (5,477) (4,832) (3,483)
-------- -------- --------
Balance at January 1-net 17,409 16,641 16,128
Claims and expenses incurred
Current year 9,199 9,718 6,917
Prior years 682 607 248
Claims and expenses paid
Current year (3,021) (3,704) (2,508)
Prior years (6,694) (6,572) (5,162)
Claims reserves related to
acquired companies -- 488 929
Other 258 231 89
-------- -------- --------
Balance at December 31-net 17,833 17,409 16,641
Add reinsurance recoverables 9,400 5,477 4,832
-------- -------- --------
Balance at December 31-gross $ 27,233 $ 22,886 $ 21,473
================================================================================
Prior-year claims and expenses incurred in the preceding table resulted
principally from settling claims established in earlier accident years for
amounts that differed from expectations.
Financial guarantees and credit life risk of insurance affiliates are
summarized below.
December 31 (In millions) 2001 2000
--------- ---------
Guarantees, principally on municipal
bonds and asset-backed securities $ 215,874 $ 194,061
Mortgage insurance risk in force 79,892 68,112
Credit life insurance risk in force 16,590 19,910
Less reinsurance (41,148) (42,143)
--------- ---------
$ 271,208 $ 239,940
================================================================================
Certain GECS insurance affiliates offer insurance guaranteeing the timely
payment of scheduled principal and interest on municipal bonds and certain
asset-backed securities. These insurance affiliates also provide insurance to
protect residential mortgage lenders from severe financial loss caused by the
non-payment of loans and issue credit life insurance designed to pay the balance
due on a loan if the borrower dies before the loan is repaid. As part of their
overall risk management process, GECS insurance affiliates cede to third parties
a portion of their risk associated with these guarantees. In doing so, they are
not relieved of their primary obligation to policyholders.
F-42
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 82
20 GE ALL OTHER LIABILITIES
This caption includes noncurrent compensation and benefit accruals at year-end
2001 and 2000 of $6,639 million and $6,268 million, respectively. Also included
are amounts for deferred incentive compensation, deferred income, interest on
tax liabilities, product warranties and a variety of sundry items.
GE is involved in numerous remediation actions to clean up hazardous wastes
as required by federal and state laws. Liabilities for remediation costs at each
site are based on management's best estimate of undiscounted future costs,
excluding possible insurance recoveries. When there appears to be a range of
possible costs with equal likelihood, liabilities are based on the lower end of
such range. Uncertainties about the status of laws, regulations, technology and
information related to individual sites make it difficult to develop a
meaningful estimate of the reasonably possible aggregate environmental
remediation exposure. However, even in the unlikely event that remediation costs
amounted to the high end of the range of costs for each site, the resulting
additional liability would not be material to GE's financial position, results
of operations or liquidity.
21 DEFERRED INCOME TAXES
Aggregate deferred income tax amounts are summarized below.
December 31 (In millions) 2001 2000
------- -------
ASSETS
GE $ 6,416 $ 6,131
GECS 8,585 7,309
------- -------
15,001 13,440
LIABILITIES
GE 7,429 6,583
GECS 16,702 15,547
------- -------
24,131 22,130
------- -------
NET DEFERRED INCOME TAX LIABILITY $ 9,130 $ 8,690
================================================================================
Principal components of the net liability/(asset) representing deferred
income tax balances for GE and GECS are as follows:
December 31 (In millions) 2001 2000
------- -------
GE
Provisions for expenses (a) $(4,432) $(4,392)
Retiree insurance plans (953) (904)
Prepaid pension asset 4,809 3,982
Depreciation 932 944
Other-net 657 822
------- -------
1,013 452
------- -------
GECS
Financing leases 9,168 8,408
Operating leases 3,399 3,301
Deferred insurance acquisition costs 1,360 856
Allowance for losses (2,139) (1,684)
Insurance reserves (1,397) (1,270)
AMT credit carryforwards (695) (671)
Other-net (1,579) (702)
------- -------
8,117 8,238
------- -------
NET DEFERRED INCOME TAX LIABILITY $ 9,130 $ 8,690
================================================================================
(a) Represents the tax effects of temporary differences related to expense
accruals for a wide variety of items, such as employee compensation and
benefits, interest on tax liabilities, product warranties and other sundry
items that are not currently deductible.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22 GECS MINORITY INTEREST IN EQUITY OF CONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES
Minority interest in equity of consolidated GECS affiliates includes preferred
stock issued by GE Capital and by affiliates of GE Capital. The preferred stock
primarily pays cumulative dividends at variable rates. Value of the preferred
shares is summarized below.
December 31 (In millions) 2001 2000
------ ------
GE Capital $2,600 $2,600
GE Capital affiliates 1,446 1,066
================================================================================
Dividend rates in local currency on the preferred stock ranged from 1.62%
to 6.40% during 2001 and from 4.15% to 6.82% during
2000.
23 RESTRICTED NET ASSETS OF GECS AFFILIATES
Certain GECS consolidated affiliates are restricted from remitting funds to GECS
in the form of dividends or loans by a variety of regulations, the purpose of
which is to protect affected insurance policyholders, depositors or investors.
At year-end 2001, net assets of regulated GECS affiliates amounted to $37.4
billion, of which $31.7 billion was restricted.
At December 31, 2001 and 2000, the aggregate statutory capital and surplus
of the insurance businesses totaled $17.7 billion and $16.2 billion,
respectively. Accounting practices prescribed by statutory authorities are used
in preparing statutory statements.
F-43
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 83
24 SHARE OWNERS' EQUITY
(In millions) 2001 2000 1999
-------- -------- --------
COMMON STOCK ISSUED $ 669 $ 669 $ 594
-------- -------- --------
ACCUMULATED NONOWNER
CHANGES OTHER THAN EARNINGS
Balance at January 1 $ (2,500) $ (744) $ 1,664
Cumulative effect of adopting
SFAS 133-net of deferred
taxes of $(513) (827) -- --
Investment securities-net
of deferred taxes of $111,
$686 and $(614) 203 1,363 (1,132)
Currency translation
adjustments-net of deferred
taxes of $48, $(312) and $(100) (562) (1,204) (632)
Derivatives qualifying as
hedges-net of deferred
taxes $(505) (690) -- --
Reclassification adjustments-
Investment securities-net
of deferred taxes of $(274),
$(1,031) and $(349) (509) (1,915) (644)
Derivatives qualifying as
hedges-net of deferred
taxes of $397 562 -- --
-------- -------- --------
Balance at December 31 $ (4,323) $ (2,500) $ (744)
======== ======== ========
OTHER CAPITAL
Balance at January 1 $ 15,195 $ 10,790 $ 6,808
Gains on treasury stock
dispositions (a) 1,498 4,480 3,982
Adjustment for stock split -- (75) --
-------- -------- --------
Balance at December 31 $ 16,693 $ 15,195 $ 10,790
======== ======== ========
RETAINED EARNINGS
Balance at January 1 $ 61,572 $ 54,484 $ 48,553
Net earnings 13,684 12,735 10,717
Dividends (a) (6,555) (5,647) (4,786)
-------- -------- --------
Balance at December 31 $ 68,701 $ 61,572 $ 54,484
======== ======== ========
COMMON STOCK HELD IN TREASURY
Balance at January 1 $ 24,444 $ 22,567 $ 18,739
Purchases (a) 4,708 5,342 7,488
Dispositions (a) (2,236) (3,465) (3,660)
-------- -------- --------
Balance at December 31 $ 26,916 $ 24,444 $ 22,567
================================================================================
(a) Total dividends and other transactions with share owners reduced equity by
$7,529 million, $3,044 million and $4,632 million in 2001, 2000 and 1999,
respectively.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In December 2001, GE's Board of Directors increased the authorization to
repurchase Company common stock to $30 billion. Funds used for the share
repurchase will be generated largely from free cash flow. Through year-end 2001,
1,030 million shares having an aggregate cost of almost $21 billion had been
repurchased under this program and placed in treasury.
Common shares issued and outstanding are summarized in the following table.
SHARES OF GE COMMON STOCK
December 31 (In thousands) 2001 2000 1999
----------- ----------- -----------
Issued 11,145,212 11,145,212 11,145,054
In treasury (1,219,274) (1,213,206) (1,290,526)
----------- ----------- -----------
Outstanding 9,925,938 9,932,006 9,854,528
================================================================================
In April 2000, share owners authorized (a) an increase in the number of
authorized shares of common stock from 4,400,000,000 shares each with a par
value of $0.16 to 13,200,000,000 shares each with a par value of $0.06 and (b)
the split of each unissued and issued common share, including shares held in
treasury, into three shares of common stock each with a par value of $0.06. All
share data and per-share amounts have been adjusted to reflect this change.
GE has 50 million authorized shares of preferred stock ($1.00 par value),
but no such shares have been issued.
The effects of translating to U.S. dollars the financial statements of
non-U.S. affiliates whose functional currency is the local currency are included
in share owners' equity. Asset and liability accounts are translated at year-end
exchange rates, while revenues and expenses are translated at average rates for
the period.
F-44
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 84
25 OTHER STOCK-RELATED INFORMATION
STOCK OPTION ACTIVITY
Average per share
Shares ---------------------
subject Exercise Market
(Shares in thousands) to option price price
--------- -------- ------
Balance at December 31, 1998 359,784 $ 11.59 $ 34.00
Options granted 51,281 37.93 37.93
Options exercised (61,679) 7.82 39.42
Options terminated (8,012) 21.15 --
-------- ------ ------
Balance at December 31, 1999 341,374 16.01 51.58
Options granted 46,278 47.84 47.84
Options exercised (44,758) 8.82 53.00
Options terminated (9,715) 28.47 --
-------- ------ ------
Balance at December 31, 2000 333,179 21.03 47.94
Options granted 60,946 41.15 41.15
Options exercised (31,801) 10.04 43.95
Options terminated (7,871) 39.02 --
-------- ------ ------
Balance at December 31, 2001 354,453 25.08 40.08
================================================================================
Stock option plans, stock appreciation rights (SARs), restricted stock and
restricted stock units are described in GE's current Proxy Statement. With
certain restrictions, requirements for stock option shares can be met from
either unissued or treasury shares.
At year-end 2001, there were 131 thousand SARs outstanding at an average
exercise price of $7.68. There were 27.3 million restricted stock shares and
restricted stock units outstanding at year-end 2001.
There were 538.7 million and 487.1 million additional shares available for
grants of options, SARs, restricted stock and restricted stock units at December
31, 2001 and 2000, respectively. Under the 1990 Long-Term Incentive Plan, 0.95%
of the Company's issued common stock (including treasury shares) as of the first
day of each calendar year during which the Plan is in effect becomes available
for granting awards in such year. Any unused portion, in addition to shares
allocated to awards that are canceled or forfeited, is available for later
years.
Outstanding options and SARs expire on various dates through December 21,
2011. Restricted stock grants vest on various dates up to normal retirement of
grantees.
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding
at December 31, 2001.
STOCK OPTIONS OUTSTANDING
(Shares in thousands)
Outstanding Exercisable
------------------------------- ----------------------
Average Average
Exercise Average exercise exercise
price range Shares life (a) price Shares price
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$5.72-8.50 58,324 1.6 $ 7.63 58,324 $ 7.63
8.51-13.23 65,494 2.9 9.15 65,494 9.15
13.48-26.10 66,065 5.2 18.13 53,465 16.94
26.42-39.73 81,807 7.9 34.79 24,881 32.20
41.35-57.31 82,763 9.0 45.91 6,908 47.45
------- --- ------ ------- ------
Total 354,453 5.7 25.08 209,072 14.73
================================================================================
At year-end 2000, options with an average exercise price of $11.35 were
exercisable on 205 million shares; at year-end 1999, options with an average
exercise price of $9.13 were exercisable on 206 million shares. (a) Average
contractual life remaining in years.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stock options expire 10 years from the date they are granted; options vest
over service periods that range from one to five years.
Disclosures required by SFAS 123, ACCOUNTING FOR STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION,
are as follows:
OPTION VALUE INFORMATION (a)
(In dollars) 2001 2000 1999
------ ------ ------
Fair value per option (b) $12.15 $15.76 $11.23
Valuation assumptions
Expected option term (years) 6.0 6.4 6.5
Expected volatility 30.5% 27.1% 23.7%
Expected dividend yield 1.6% 1.2% 1.3%
Risk-free interest rate 4.9% 6.4% 5.8%
================================================================================
(a) Weighted averages of option grants during each period.
(b) Estimated using Black-Scholes option pricing model.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRO FORMA EFFECTS (a)
December 31 (In millions;
per-share amounts in dollars) 2001 2000 1999
------- ------- -------
Net earnings $13,388 $12,502 $10,572
Earnings per share-diluted 1.33 1.24 1.06
-basic 1.35 1.26 1.08
================================================================================
(a) 2001 earnings and earnings per share include effects of accounting changes.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
F-45
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 85
26 SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOWS INFORMATION
Changes in operating assets and liabilities are net of acquisitions and
dispositions of principal businesses.
"Payments for principal businesses purchased" in the Statement of Cash
Flows is net of cash acquired and includes debt assumed and immediately repaid
in acquisitions.
"All other operating activities" in the Statement of Cash Flows consists
primarily of adjustments to current and noncurrent accruals and deferrals of
costs and expenses, increases and decreases in progress collections, adjustments
for gains and losses on assets, increases and decreases in assets held for sale,
and adjustments to assets.
Noncash transactions include the following: in 2001, the acquisition of
Imatron Inc. for GE common stock valued at $205 million; in 2000, the
acquisition of Harmon Industries for shares of GE common stock valued at $346
million; and in 1999, GE's contribution of certain media properties in exchange
for a noncontrolling interest in NBCi, a former publicly-traded company
(described in note 2).
Certain supplemental information related to GE and GECS cash flows is shown
below.
For the years ended December 31 (In millions) 2001 2000 1999
--------- --------- --------
GE
PURCHASES AND SALES OF GE SHARES FOR TREASURY
Open market purchases under share repurchase program $ (3,137) $ (2,226) $ (1,866)
Other purchases (1,571) (3,116) (5,622)
Dispositions (mainly to employee and dividend
reinvestment plans) 2,273 5,811 6,486
--------- --------- --------
$ (2,435) $ 469 $ (1,002)
========= ========= ========
GECS
FINANCING RECEIVABLES
Increase in loans to customers $(140,758) $(100,938) $(95,201)
Principal collections from customers-loans 121,004 87,432 86,379
Investment in equipment for financing leases (20,315) (15,454) (18,173)
Principal collections from customers-financing
leases 11,641 7,873 13,634
Net change in credit card receivables (14,815) (9,394) (10,740)
Sales of financing receivables 29,291 14,405 11,473
--------- --------- --------
$ (13,952) $ (16,076) $(12,628)
========= ========= ========
ALL OTHER INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of securities by insurance and annuity
businesses $ (53,452) $ (35,911) $(26,271)
Dispositions and maturities of securities by
insurance and annuity businesses 45,403 25,960 23,979
Proceeds from principal business dispositions 2,572 (605) 279
Other (2,080) (1,617) (6,270)
--------- --------- --------
$ (7,557) $ (12,173) $ (8,283)
========= ========= ========
NEWLY ISSUED DEBT HAVING MATURITIES LONGER THAN 90
DAYS
Short-term (91 to 365 days) $ 12,622 $ 12,782 $ 15,799
Long-term (longer than one year) 16,118 32,297 30,082
Proceeds-nonrecourse, leveraged lease debt 2,012 1,808 1,724
--------- --------- --------
$ 30,752 $ 46,887 $ 47,605
========= ========= ========
REPAYMENTS AND OTHER REDUCTIONS OF DEBT HAVING
MATURITIES LONGER THAN 90 DAYS
Short-term (91 to 365 days) $ (29,195) $ (27,777) $(21,211)
Long-term (longer than one year) (6,582) (3,953) (5,447)
Principal payments-nonrecourse, leveraged lease debt (274) (177) (266)
--------- --------- --------
$ (36,051) $ (31,907) $(26,924)
========= ========= ========
ALL OTHER FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from sales of investment contracts $ 9,080 $ 8,826 $ 7,236
Redemption of investment contracts (7,033) (9,061) (7,127)
Preferred stock issued by GECS affiliates -- -- 513
Capital contributions from GE 3,043 -- --
Cash received upon assumption of Toho Mutual Life
Insurance Company insurance liabilities -- 13,177 --
--------- --------- --------
$ 5,090 $ 12,942 $ 622
=========================================================================================
F-46
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 86
27 OPERATING SEGMENTS
REVENUES (For the years ended December 31)
Total revenues Intersegment revenues External revenues
--------------------------------- --------------------------- ---------------------------------
(In millions) 2001 2000 1999 2001 2000 1999 2001 2000 1999
--------- --------- --------- ------- ------- ------- --------- --------- ---------
GE
Aircraft Engines $ 11,389 $ 10,779 $ 10,730 $ 1,282 $ 687 $ 477 $ 10,107 $ 10,092 $ 10,253
Appliances 5,810 5,887 5,671 4 5 4 5,806 5,882 5,667
Industrial Products
and Systems 11,647 11,630 11,399 848 634 530 10,799 10,996 10,869
Materials 7,069 8,020 7,118 21 46 38 7,048 7,974 7,080
NBC 5,769 6,797 5,790 -- -- -- 5,769 6,797 5,790
Power Systems 20,211 14,861 10,099 152 144 169 20,059 14,717 9,930
Technical Products
and Services 9,011 7,915 6,863 21 19 15 8,990 7,896 6,848
Eliminations (2,900) (2,101) (1,788) (2,328) (1,535) (1,233) (572) (566) (555)
--------- --------- --------- ------- ------- ------- --------- --------- ---------
Total GE segment revenues 68,006 63,788 55,882 -- -- -- 68,006 63,788 55,882
Corporate items 445 517 619 -- -- -- 445 517 619
GECS earnings before
accounting changes 5,586 5,192 4,443 -- -- -- 5,586 5,192 4,443
--------- --------- --------- ------- ------- ------- --------- --------- ---------
Total GE revenues 74,037 69,497 60,944 -- -- -- 74,037 69,497 60,944
GECS SEGMENT REVENUES 58,353 66,177 55,749 -- -- -- 58,353 66,177 55,749
Eliminations (6,477) (5,821) (5,063) -- -- -- (6,477) (5,821) (5,063)
--------- --------- --------- ------- ------- ------- --------- --------- ---------
CONSOLIDATED REVENUES $ 125,913 $ 129,853 $ 111,630 $ -- $ -- $ -- $ 125,913 $ 129,853 $ 111,630
===================================================================================================================================
GE revenues include income from sales of goods and services to customers and other income. Sales from one Company component to
another generally are priced at equivalent commercial selling prices.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION
ADDITIONS (INCLUDING (INCLUDING GOODWILL AND
ASSETS EQUIPMENT LEASED TO OTHERS) OTHER INTANGIBLES)
For the years ended For the years ended
At December 31 December 31 December 31
--------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------------
(In millions) 2001 2000 1999 2001 2000 1999 2001 2000 1999
--------- --------- --------- ------- ------- ------- ------ ------ ------
GE
Aircraft Engines $ 9,711 $ 9,816 $ 9,204 $ 402 $ 416 $ 368 $ 340 $ 330 $ 382
Appliances 3,100 2,775 2,463 246 213 151 188 142 147
Industrial Products
and Systems 8,372 7,647 6,524 382 495 408 425 416 416
Materials 10,154 9,783 9,477 814 573 477 611 558 578
NBC 5,359 4,965 5,243 64 99 94 137 120 126
Power Systems 13,169 11,618 9,865 774 657 514 375 306 285
Technical Products
and Services 6,654 6,016 5,048 213 211 164 278 219 230
--------- --------- --------- ------- ------- ------- ------ ------ ------
Total GE segments 56,519 52,620 47,824 2,895 2,664 2,176 2,354 2,091 2,164
Investment in GECS 28,590 23,022 20,321 -- -- -- -- -- --
Corporate items and
eliminations (a) 24,624 21,123 14,438 94 55 58 145 157 155
--------- --------- --------- ------- ------- ------- ------ ------ ------
Total GE 109,733 96,765 82,583 2,989 2,719 2,234 2,499 2,248 2,319
GECS SEGMENT 425,484 370,636 345,018 13,744 11,434 15,432 4,590 5,488 4,372
Eliminations (40,194) (30,395) (22,401) -- -- -- --
--------- --------- --------- ------- ------- ------- ------ ------ ------
CONSOLIDATED TOTALS $ 495,023 $ 437,006 $ 405,200 $16,733 $14,153 $17,666 $7,089 $7,736 $6,691
====================================================================================================================
Additions to property, plant and equipment include amounts relating to principal businesses purchased.
(a) Depreciation and amortization includes $64 million of unallocated RCA goodwill amortization in 2001, 2000 and
1999 that relates to NBC.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
F-47
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 87
BASIS FOR PRESENTATION. The Company's operating businesses are organized based
on the nature of products and services provided. Certain GE businesses do not
meet the definition of a reportable operating segment and have been aggregated.
The Materials segment consists of Plastics and Specialty Materials. The
Industrial Products and Systems segment consists of Industrial Systems,
Lighting, Transportation Systems and GE Supply. The Technical Products and
Services segment consists of Medical Systems and Global eXchange Services.
Segment accounting policies are the same as described in note 1.
Details of segment profit by operating segment can be found on page 51 of
this report. A description of operating segments for General Electric Company
and consolidated affiliates follows.
AIRCRAFT ENGINES. Jet engines and replacement parts and repair and maintenance
services for all categories of commercial aircraft (short/medium, intermediate
and long-range); for a wide variety of military aircraft, including fighters,
bombers, tankers and helicopters; and for executive and commuter aircraft.
Products and services are sold worldwide to airframe manufacturers, airlines and
government agencies. Also includes aircraft engine derivatives, used as marine
propulsion and industrial power sources; the latter is also reported in Power
Systems.
APPLIANCES. Major appliances and related services for products such as
refrigerators, freezers, electric and gas ranges, dishwashers, clothes washers
and dryers, microwave ovens, room air conditioners and residential water system
products. Products and services are sold in North America and in global markets
under various GE and private-label brands. Distributed to both retail outlets
and direct to consumers, mainly for the replacement market, and to building
contractors and distributors for new installations.
INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS AND SYSTEMS. Lighting products (including a wide variety of
lamps, lighting fixtures and wiring devices); electrical distribution and
control equipment (including power delivery and control products such as
transformers, meters, relays, capacitors and arresters); transportation systems
products and maintenance services (including diesel and electric locomotives,
transit propulsion equipment, motorized wheels for off-highway vehicles, and
railway signaling communications systems); electric motors and related products;
a broad range of electrical and electronic industrial automation products
(including drive systems); installation, engineering and repair services, which
includes management and technical expertise for large projects such as process
control systems; and GE Supply, a network of electrical supply houses. Markets
are extremely diverse. Products and services are sold to commercial and
industrial end users, including utilities, to original equipment manufacturers,
to electrical distributors, to retail outlets, to railways and to transit
authorities. Increasingly, products and services are developed for and sold in
global markets.
MATERIALS. High-performance engineered plastics used in applications such as
automobiles and housings for computers and other business equipment; ABS resins;
silicones; superabrasive industrial diamonds; quartz products; and laminates.
Products are sold worldwide to a diverse customer base consisting mainly of
manufacturers.
NBC. Principal businesses are the furnishing of U.S. network television services
to more than 220 affiliated stations, production of television programs,
operation of 13 VHF and UHF television broadcasting stations, operation of four
cable/satellite networks around the world, and investment and programming
activities in the Internet, multimedia and cable television.
POWER SYSTEMS. Power plant products and services, including design,
installation, operation and maintenance services. Markets and competition are
global. Gas turbines and aircraft engine derivatives and related services are
sold separately and as part of packaged power plants for electric utilities,
independent power producers and for industrial cogeneration and mechanical drive
applications. Steam turbine-generators and related services are sold to electric
utilities and, for cogeneration, to industrial and other power customers. Also
includes portable power plants, nuclear reactors and fuel and support services
for GE's new and installed boiling water reactors, and equipment to support the
distribution of oil and gas products.
TECHNICAL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES. Medical imaging systems such as magnetic
resonance (MR) and computed tomography (CT) scanners, x-ray, nuclear imaging and
ultrasound, as well as diagnostic cardiology and patient monitoring devices;
related services, including equipment monitoring and repair, computerized data
management and customer productivity services. Products and services are sold
worldwide to hospitals and medical facilities. Also includes a full range of
computer-based information and data interchange services for both internal and
external use to commercial and industrial customers.
GECS. The operating activities of the GECS segment follow.
CONSUMER SERVICES-private-label credit card loans, personal loans, time
sales and revolving credit and inventory financing for retail merchants, auto
leasing and inventory financing, mortgage servicing, retail business and
consumer savings and insurance services.
EQUIPMENT MANAGEMENT-leases, loans, sales and asset management services for
portfolios of commercial and transportation equipment, including aircraft,
trailers, auto fleets, modular space units, railroad rolling stock, data
processing equipment, and marine shipping containers.
MID-MARKET FINANCING-loans, financing and operating leases, and other
services for middle-market customers, including manufacturers, distributors and
end users, for a variety of equipment that includes vehicles, corporate
aircraft, data processing equipment, medical and diagnostic equipment, and
equipment used in construction, manufacturing, office applications, electronics
and telecommunications activities.
SPECIALIZED FINANCING-loans and financing leases for major capital assets,
including industrial facilities and equipment, and energy-related facilities;
commercial and residential real estate loans and investments; and loans to and
investments in public and private entities in diverse industries.
SPECIALTY INSURANCE-U.S. and international multiple-line property and
casualty reinsurance; certain directly written specialty insurance and life
reinsurance; financial guaranty insurance, principally on municipal bonds and
asset-backed securities and private mortgage insurance.
Very few of the products financed by GECS are manufactured by GE.
F-48
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 88
28 GEOGRAPHIC SEGMENT INFORMATION (CONSOLIDATED)
The table below presents data by geographic region.
Revenues and operating profit shown below are classified according to their
country of origin (including exports from such areas). Revenues classified under
the caption "United States" include royalty and licensing income from non-U.S.
sources.
REVENUES
For the years ended December 31
Total revenues Intersegment revenues External revenues
-------------------------------- --------------------------------- ---------------------------------
(In millions) 2001 2000 1999 2001 2000 1999 2001 2000 1999
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
United States $ 89,876 $ 90,981 $ 78,970 $ 3,877 $ 3,518 $ 2,690 $ 85,999 $ 87,463 $ 76,280
Europe 23,878 24,144 22,919 2,009 1,212 1,081 21,869 22,932 21,838
Pacific Basin 11,447 12,921 7,879 1,258 1,218 924 10,189 11,703 6,955
Other (a) 8,963 8,754 7,365 1,107 999 808 7,856 7,755 6,557
Intercompany eliminations (8,251) (6,947) (5,503) (8,251) (6,947) (5,503) -- -- --
-------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Total $125,913 $ 129,853 $ 111,630 $ -- $ -- $ -- $ 125,913 $ 129,853 $ 111,630
===================================================================================================================================
SEGMENT OPERATING PROFIT (b) ASSETS LONG-LIVED ASSETS (c)
For the years ended December 31 At December 31 At December 31
-------------------------------- --------------------------------- ---------------------------------
(In millions) 2001 2000 1999 2001 2000 1999 2001 2000 1999
United States $ 18,055 $ 15,455 $ 13,391 $ 315,179 $ 277,818 $ 264,129 $ 18,593 $ 19,180 $ 21,612
Europe 1,297 2,062 1,886 93,963 80,282 83,358 6,176 5,870 6,101
Pacific Basin 1,857 1,754 1,092 41,385 42,281 28,214 1,888 1,936 2,017
Other (a) 1,210 1,406 909 44,683 36,804 29,687 15,519 13,076 11,329
Intercompany eliminations (8) 9 11 (187) (179) (188) (36) (47) (37)
-------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Total $ 22,411 $ 20,686 $ 17,289 $ 495,023 $ 437,006 $ 405,200 $ 42,140 $ 40,015 $ 41,022
===================================================================================================================================
(a) Includes the Americas other than the United States and operations that cannot meaningfully be associated with specific
geographic areas (for example, commercial aircraft leased by GE Capital Aviation Services).
(b) Excludes GECS income taxes of $1,380 million, $1,912 million and $1,653 million in 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively, which
are included in the measure of segment profit reported on page 51.
(c) Property, plant and equipment (including equipment leased to others).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
29 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT CERTAIN FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Assets and liabilities that are reflected in the accompanying financial
statements at fair value are not included in the following disclosures; such
items include cash and equivalents, investment securities, separate accounts
and, beginning in 2001, derivative financial instruments. Other assets and
liabilities-those not carried at fair value-are discussed in the following
pages. Apart from certain borrowings by GE and GECS and certain marketable
securities, few of the instruments discussed below are actively traded and their
fair values must often be determined using models. Although management has made
every effort to develop the fairest representation of fair value for this
section, it would be unusual if the estimates could actually have been realized
at December 31, 2001 or 2000.
A description of how fair values are estimated follows.
BORROWINGS. Based on market quotes or comparables.
TIME SALES AND LOANS. Based on quoted market prices, recent transactions and/or
discounted future cash flows, using rates at which similar loans would have been
made to similar borrowers.
INVESTMENT CONTRACT BENEFITS. Based on expected future cash flows, discounted at
currently offered discount rates for immediate annuity contracts or cash
surrender values for single premium deferred annuities.
FINANCIAL GUARANTEES AND CREDIT LIFE. Based on expected future cash flows,
considering expected renewal premiums, claims, refunds and servicing costs,
discounted at a current market rate.
ALL OTHER INSTRUMENTS. Based on comparable market transactions, discounted
future cash flows, quoted market prices, and/or estimates of the cost to
terminate or otherwise settle obligations.
F-49
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 89
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
2001 2000
------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
Assets (liabilities) Assets (liabilities)
--------------------------------- --------------------------------
Carrying Estimated fair value Carrying Estimated fair value
Notional amount -------------------- Notional amount --------------------
December 31 (In millions) amount (net) High Low amount (net) High Low
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GE
Investments and notes receivable (b) $ (a) $ 570 $ 568 $ 568 $ (a) $ 2,012 $ 2,060 $ 2,026
Borrowings (c)(d) (a) (2,509) (2,509) (2,509) (a) (1,781) (1,781) (1,781)
Recourse obligations for receivables
sold 471 (45) (45) (45) 589 (42) (42) (42)
Financial guarantees 3,605 (49) (49) (49) 3,065(g) -- -- --
Financing commitments 1,497 (47) (47) (47) 1,492 -- -- --
Liquidity support 362 -- -- -- -- -- -- --
GECS
Assets
Time sales and loans (a) 118,584 119,986 117,930 (a) 92,912 93,539 92,360
Mortgages acquired for resale (a) 1,596 1,631 1,596 (a) 1,267 1,250 1,245
Other financial instruments (a) 9,496 9,671 9,599 (a) 10,940 11,130 11,102
Liabilities
Borrowings (c)(d) (a) (240,519) (244,069) (244,069) (a) (205,371) (207,670) (207,670)
Investment contract benefits (a) (32,427) (32,192) (31,815) (a) (27,575) (26,144) (26,144)
Insurance-financial guarantees
and credit life (e) 271,208 (2,941) (2,983) (3,091) 239,940 (2,759) (2,797) (2,910)
Other financial instruments 4,678 (629) (590) (590) 2,982 (1,184) (1,114) (1,114)
Special purpose entity support
Credit and liquidity (f) 43,176 (712) (712) (712) 31,197 (630) (630) (630)
Credit and liquidity-unused 9,404 -- -- -- 6,470 -- -- --
Performance guarantees 3,759 -- -- -- 2,870(h) -- -- --
-unused 441 -- -- -- 1,330(h) -- -- --
Swap guarantees and other
guarantees 8,506 -- -- -- 7,415(h) -- -- --
Other firm commitments
Ordinary course of business
lending commitments 9,636 -- -- -- 9,450 -- -- --
Unused revolving credit lines
Commercial 27,770 -- -- -- 19,372(i) -- -- --
Consumer-principally
credit cards 222,929 -- -- -- 188,421 -- -- --
================================================================================================================================
(a) These financial instruments do not have notional amounts.
(b) Amounts in 2000 include $1.0 billion related to Lockheed Martin note, which was prepaid in 2001.
(c) Includes effects of interest rate and currency swaps.
(d) See note 18.
(e) See note 19.
(f) Includes credit support of $14,496 million and $9,784 million at December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively.
(g) Reported as $2,345 million in 2000.
(h) Reported, in total, as $7,895 million in 2000.
(i) Reported as $11,278 million in 2000.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING. GE and GECS global business activities routinely deal
with fluctuations in interest rates, in currency exchange rates and in commodity
and other asset prices. GE and GECS apply strict policies to managing each of
these risks, including prohibitions on derivatives trading, derivatives
market-making or other speculative activities. These policies require the use of
derivative instruments in concert with other techniques to reduce or eliminate
these risks.
F-50
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 90
On January 1, 2001, GE adopted SFAS 133, ACCOUNTING FOR DERIVATIVE
INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES, as discussed in note 1. The paragraphs that
follow provide additional information about derivatives and hedging
relationships in accordance with the requirements of SFAS 133.
CASH FLOW HEDGES. Under SFAS 133, cash flow hedges are hedges that use simple
derivatives to offset the variability of expected future cash flows. Variability
can appear in floating rate assets, floating rate liabilities or from certain
types of forecasted transactions, and can arise from changes in interest rates
or currency exchange rates. For example, GECS often borrows funds at a variable
rate of interest. If GECS needs the funds to make a floating rate loan, there is
no exposure to interest rate changes, and no hedge is necessary. However, if a
fixed rate loan is made, GECS will contractually commit to pay a fixed rate of
interest to a counterparty who will pay GECS a variable rate of interest (an
"interest rate swap"). This swap will then be designated as a cash flow hedge of
the associated variable rate borrowing. If, as would be expected, the derivative
is perfectly effective in offsetting variable interest in the borrowing, changes
in its fair value are recorded in a separate component in equity and released to
earnings contemporaneously with the earnings effects of the hedged item. Further
information about hedge effectiveness is provided below.
GE uses currency forwards and options to manage exposures to changes in
currency exchange rates associated with commercial purchase and sale
transactions. These instruments permit GE to eliminate the cash flow
variability, in local currency, of costs or selling prices denominated in
currencies other than the functional currency. In addition, GE and GECS use
these instruments, along with interest rate and currency swaps, to optimize
borrowing costs and investment returns. For example, currency swaps and
non-functional currency borrowings together provide lower funding costs than
could be achieved by issuing debt directly in a given currency.
Adoption of SFAS 133 resulted in a reduction of share owners' equity of
$827 million at January 1, 2001. Of that amount, $259 million was transferred to
earnings in 2001 along with the earnings effects of the related forecasted
transactions for no net impact on earnings. At December 31, 2001, amounts
related to derivatives qualifying as cash flow hedges amounted to a reduction of
equity of $955 million, of which $665 million was expected to be transferred to
earnings in 2002 along with the earnings effects of the related forecasted
transactions. In 2001, there were no forecasted transactions that failed to
occur. At December 31, 2001, the maximum term of derivative instruments that
hedge forecasted transactions was 24 months.
FAIR VALUE HEDGES. Under SFAS 133, fair value hedges are hedges that eliminate
the risk of changes in the fair values of assets, liabilities and certain types
of firm commitments. For example, GECS will use an interest rate swap in which
it receives a fixed rate of interest and pays a variable rate of interest to
change the cash flow profile of a fixed rate borrowing to match the variable
rate financial asset that it is funding. Changes in fair value of derivatives
designated and effective as fair value hedges are recorded in earnings and are
offset by corresponding changes in the fair value of the hedged item.
GE and GECS use interest rate swaps, currency swaps and interest rate and
currency forwards to hedge the effect of interest rate and currency exchange
rate changes on local and nonfunctional currency denominated fixed-rate
borrowings and certain types of fixed-rate assets. Equity options are used to
hedge price changes in investment securities and equity-indexed annuity
liabilities at GECS.
NET INVESTMENT HEDGES. The net investment hedge designation under SFAS 133
refers to the use of derivative contracts or cash instruments to hedge the
foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation. At GE and
GECS, currency exposures that result from net investments in affiliates are
managed principally by funding assets denominated in local currency with debt
denominated in that same currency. In certain circumstances, such exposures are
managed using currency forwards and currency swaps.
DERIVATIVES NOT DESIGNATED AS HEDGES. SFAS 133 specifies criteria that must be
met in order to apply any of the three forms of hedge accounting. For example,
hedge accounting is not permitted for hedged items that are marked to market
through earnings. GE and GECS use derivatives to hedge exposures when it makes
economic sense to do so, including circumstances in which the hedging
relationship does not qualify for hedge accounting as described in the following
paragraph. GE and GECS also will occasionally receive derivatives, such as
equity warrants, in the ordinary course of business. Under SFAS 133, derivatives
that do not qualify for hedge accounting are marked to market through earnings.
GE and GECS use option contracts, including caps, floors and collars, as an
economic hedge of changes in interest rates, currency exchange rates and equity
prices on certain types of assets and liabilities. For example, GECS uses equity
options to hedge the risk of changes in equity prices embedded in insurance
liabilities associated with annuity contracts written by GE Financial Assurance.
GECS also uses interest rate swaps, purchased options and futures as an economic
hedge of the fair value of mortgage servicing rights. GE and GECS occasionally
obtain equity warrants as part of sourcing or financing transactions. Although
these instruments are considered to be derivatives under SFAS 133, their
economic risk is similar to, and managed on the same basis as, other equity
instruments held by GE and GECS.
EARNINGS EFFECTS OF DERIVATIVES. The table that follows provides additional
information about the earnings effects of derivatives. In the context of hedging
relationships, "effectiveness" refers to the degree to which fair value changes
in the hedging instrument offset corresponding fair value changes in the hedged
item. Certain elements of hedge positions cannot qualify for hedge accounting
under SFAS 133 whether effective or not, and must therefore be marked to market
through earnings. Time value of purchased options is the most common example of
such elements in instruments used by GE and GECS. Earnings effects of such items
are shown in the following table as "amounts excluded from the measure of
effectiveness."
F-51
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 91
Cash flow Fair value
December 31 (In millions) hedges hedges
--------- ----------
Ineffectiveness $ 1 $ 26
Amounts excluded from the measure
of effectiveness $(1) $(16)
================================================================================
At December 31, 2001, the fair value of derivatives in a gain position and
recorded in "All other assets" is $2.3 billion and the fair value of derivatives
in a loss position and recorded in "All other liabilities" is $3.8 billion.
The following table provides fair value information about derivative
instruments for the year 2000. Following adoption of SFAS 133 on January 1,
2001, all derivative instruments are reported at fair value in the financial
statements and similar disclosures for December 31, 2001, are not relevant.
2000
------------------------------
Assets (liabilities)
--------------------
Carrying
Notional amount Estimated
December 31 (In millions) amount (net) fair value
-------- -------- -----------
GE
Assets
Investment related
Cancelable interest rate
swap $ 1,046 $ 6 $ 4
Liabilities
Borrowings related instruments
Interest rate swaps 786 -- (38)
Currency swaps 172 -- (4)
Other firm commitments
Forwards and options 6,961 37 30
GECS
Assets
Integrated swaps 22,911 (44) (771)
Purchased options 9,832 105 164
Options, including "floors" 21,984 202 208
Interest rate swaps and futures 2,798 29 38
Liabilities
Interest rate swaps 52,681 -- (208)
Currency swaps 24,314 -- (957)
Currency forwards 27,902 -- 381
Other firm commitments
Currency forwards 1,585 8 47
Currency swaps 647 292 275
================================================================================
COUNTERPARTY CREDIT RISK. The risk that counterparties to derivative contracts
will be financially unable to make payments to GE or GECS according to the terms
of the agreements is counterparty credit risk. Counterparty credit risk is
managed on an individual counterparty basis, which means that gains and losses
are netted for each counterparty to determine the amount at risk. When a
counterparty exceeds credit exposure limits in terms of amounts due to GE or
GECS, typically as a result of changes in market conditions (see table below),
no additional transactions are executed until the exposure with that
counterparty is reduced to an amount that is within the established limit. All
swaps are executed under master swap agreements containing mutual credit
downgrade provisions that provide the ability to require assignment or
termination in the event either party is downgraded below A3 or A-. If the
downgrade provisions had been triggered at December 31, 2001, GE and GECS could
have been required to disburse up to $2.9 billion and could have claimed $0.8
billion from counterparties-the net fair value losses and gains. At December 31,
2001 and 2000, gross fair value gains amounted to $3.3 billion and $3.2 billion,
respectively. At December 31, 2001 and 2000, gross fair value losses amounted to
$5.4 billion and $4.0 billion, respectively.
As part of its ongoing activities, GECS enters into swaps that are
integrated into investments in or loans to particular customers. Such integrated
swaps not involving assumption of third-party credit risk are evaluated and
monitored like their associated investments or loans and are not therefore
subject to the same credit criteria that would apply to a stand-alone position.
Except for such positions, all other swaps, purchased options and forwards with
contractual maturities longer than one year are conducted within the credit
policy constraints provided in the table below. Foreign exchange forwards with
contractual maturities shorter than one year must be executed with
counterparties having an A-1+/ P-1 credit rating and the credit limit for these
transactions is $150 million.
COUNTERPARTY CREDIT CRITERIA Credit rating
----------------------------
Moody's Standard & Poor's
------- -----------------
Term of transaction
Between one and five years Aa3 AA-
Greater than five years Aaa AAA
Credit exposure limits
Up to $50 million Aa3 AA-
Up to $75 million Aaa AAA
================================================================================
F-52
ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 92
30 QUARTERLY INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter
(Dollar amounts in millions; ------------------ ---------------- ---------------- ----------------
per-share amounts in dollars) 2001 2000 2001 2000 2001 2000 2001 2000
-------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS
Earnings before accounting changes $ 3,017 $ 2,592 $ 3,897 $ 3,378 $ 3,281 $ 3,180 $ 3,933 $ 3,585
Cumulative effect of accounting changes (444) -- -- -- -- -- -- --
-------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net earnings 2,573 2,592 3,897 3,378 3,281 3,180 3,933 3,585
Per-share amounts before accounting
changes
Diluted earnings per share $ 0.30 $ 0.26 $ 0.39 $ 0.34 $ 0.33 $ 0.32 $ 0.39 $ 0.36
Basic earnings per share 0.30 0.26 0.39 0.34 0.33 0.32 0.40 0.36
Per-share amounts after accounting
changes
Diluted earnings per share 0.26 0.26 0.39 0.34 0.33 0.32 0.39 0.36
Basic earnings per share 0.26 0.26 0.39 0.34 0.33 0.32 0.40 0.36
SELECTED DATA
GE
Sales of goods and services 15,850 14,370 17,588 16,414 16,359 15,578 18,221 17,445
Gross profit from sales 4,960 4,520 5,677 5,372 5,245 4,675 6,059 5,693
GECS
Total revenues 14,723 15,681 14,399 16,470 13,298 16,444 15,933 17,582
Operating profit 1,839 1,746 1,855 1,697 1,512 2,020 1,760 1,641
Earnings before accounting changes 1,401 1,210 1,477 1,277 1,301 1,478 1,407 1,227
=================================================================================================================
For GE, gross profit from sales is sales of goods and services less costs
of goods and services sold. For GECS, operating profit is "Earnings before
income taxes and accounting changes."
Earnings-per-share amounts for each quarter are required to be computed
independently. As a result, their sum does not equal the total year
earnings-per-share amounts in 2000.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
TO SHARE OWNERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
We have audited the accompanying statement of financial position of General
Electric Company and consolidated affiliates as of December 31, 2001 and 2000,
and the related statements of earnings, changes in share owners' equity and cash
flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2001.
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated
financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the aforementioned financial statements appearing on pages
F-2 to F-7, F-11 and F-27 to F-52 present fairly, in all material respects, the
financial position of General Electric Company and consolidated affiliates at
December 31, 2001 and 2000, and the results of their operations and their cash
flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2001, in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America.
As discussed in note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the
Company in 2001 changed its method of accounting for derivative instruments and
hedging activities and impairment of certain beneficial interests in securitized
assets.
/s/ KPMG LLP
---------------------
KPMG LLP
Stamford, Connecticut
February 8, 2002