GE sees 2022 earnings at lower end of forecast on supply chain, inflationary woes

General Electric on Tuesday pegged its full-year earnings at the lower end of its previous forecast as the US industrial conglomerate was dogged by persistent supply chain disruptions and rising freight and raw material costs.

Two years into the pandemic that has snarled supply chains across the globe and driven up costs for everything from labour to raw materials, companies are scrambling to produce enough to feed current demand and also to restock inventory shelves.

Fresh Covid-19-related lockdowns in China as well as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have only worsened the situation.

“We’re holding the outlook range we shared in January, but as we continue to work through inflation and other evolving pressures, we’re currently trending toward the low end of the range,” said chief executive Larry Culp.

In January, the company projected adjusted profit for the year to be in the range of US$2.80 to US$3.50 per share. It also expected to grow its profit margin by 150 basis points and to generate US$5.5 billion to US$6.5 billion in free cash flow.

GE said revenue growth at its healthcare unit was hit by lockdowns in China and lower volumes in Russia and Ukraine. The aviation segment was navigating through the lockdowns but demand was expected to remain strong, the company added.

Meanwhile, soaring costs have spurred customers to delay their projects, resulting in lower orders at its renewable energy business.

Rival Siemens Energy last week said it was reviewing its full-year outlook amid rising costs at its wind turbine division Siemens Gamesa, fallout of the war in Ukraine and sanctions imposed on Russia.

GE has suspended its operations in Russia, which accounts for less than 2 per cent of its overall sales. The company’s power business, however, has a bigger exposure to the country.

On Tuesday, the company said it had recognized US$200 million in pretax charges in the first quarter due to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the sanctions.

GE reported higher-than-expected adjusted profit of 24 cents a share in the quarter through March. Revenue for the quarter came in at US$17.04 billion, topping Wall Street’s estimates of US$16.89 billion.

The company burnt through US$880 million in cash in the first quarter. REUTERS