G.E. due to their diversity and the markets they serve, is often considered a bell-weather for the U.S. Economy. G.E. is the second largest market cap company on the market (next to Exxon), and often reflects in a microcosm, what is transpiring on a national level, economically speaking.
Their quarterly profits came in at 5.07 billion dollars, which was in line with analysts expectations. And while the picture they paint for the remainder of 08 is not all roses, they still expect to meet expectations.
Read the complete story at Reuters, who I have to thank for being one of the few mainstream media outlets that reports what I consider a balanced portfolio of good and bad economic news.
http://www.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idUSWNAB042120080711?feedType=RSS&feedName=businessNews
