Comments on: GE’s dividend plan remains unchanged

By: retiredsquid

retiredsquid — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 15:56:02 +0000

Home many see that in order to help maintain our economy to buy AMERICAN products. We ALL helped in bringing down the economy. At least I admit it….Made in china, Taiwan, Japan and everything else is OVER
for me….. I want my grandkids to have a good life.

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:08:55 +0000

I guess the question now, that I would like answered by the Board and gereports.com is:

Where is the dividend headed for 2010 and 2011? How much are things improving? I didn’t see comments on this in early Sept when they announced the dividend that is ex today.

By: SBM

SBM — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 00:18:11 +0000

GE is borrowing to pay Dividends – this is extremely short sighted fiscal management. They are REALLY hoping things turn around, else the Dividend is gooooone.

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 00:38:15 +0000

Anna,

Unfortunately, you forgot "d) trust in communication" (and I’ve been a strong supporter of Mr. Immelt and GE for a while now — especially given the environment we’re in).

These are mixed messages and are hard to overlook from the most diehard of GE supporters:

First (posted directly above):

"On Sept. 25, GE stated that its Board of Directors had approved management’s plan to maintain GE’s quarterly dividend of $0.31 per share, totaling $1.24 per share annually, through the end of 2009. That plan is unchanged"

Second (yesterday):

GE’s Immelt: Important to Not Cut Dividends
http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/3DD08ADE-F4D9-4817-AE0D-646AC7F6A6C3

Third (today):

"The board and I will continue to evaluate the company’s dividend level for the second half of 2009 in light of the growing uncertainty in the economy, including U.S. government actions, rising unemployment and the recent announcements by the rating agencies."

How are we supposed to read that? This is exactly what shareholders can’t live with. We want straight talk, and a firm commitment one way or the other. I appreciate you giving us the dividend this quarter but you can’t keep saying/posting one thing and doing another reiteration a day or a few days later. How are we supposed to trust that kind of wishy washy rhetoric?

Do you or don’t you know if you have the cash to pay the dividend this year and honor your previous commitment of "through the end of 2009?" Do you have a firm grasp of the balance sheet and the necessary protections in place to protect the company and shareholder equity?

We’re mature adults, all we want is straight and honest communication. AS shareholders, we deserve that much!

By: Anna

Anna — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 00:07:51 +0000

It is dropping because a) Their financial arm is in a world of hurt and is dragging thier other (good & profitable) sectors down with it, b) Fear – stock price is only half financials; the other half is emotion c) People are shorting this stock to death. None of this is fair to shareholders. GE’s financial sector needs to lower its pride and accept help from the government.

By: Arabelle Hurst

Arabelle Hurst — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 17:31:51 +0000

I can’t believe it — GE stock down to 12! If it continues do we end up papering our walls with stock certificates like they did in the 1929 crash. As long as they keep paying dividends, just hope the powers to be make the right decisions. The company is so diversified, but why is the price dropping so fast?

By: Paul Milbank Sr.

Paul Milbank Sr. — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 17:58:46 +0000

Hi, I’m retired and live off the GE Dividend in a trust that was setup for me. I not allowed to ever touch the stock. I can’t sell it or trade it. So the only income I have is my Dividend and my SS Check.

If the Dividend is cut I don’t know what I would do. I don’t want to lose my home and my health care I pay for.

All these stories about GE cutting the Dividend is making me very upset. This trust was supposed to help me until I die and now I’m so scared I can’t sleep and I cry at times. I worked for 65 years and after everything I’ve done I fear I’ll be thrown in the street. God help us please keep GE safe

By: Hugo Drax

Hugo Drax — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 00:28:47 +0000

Covered calls means you take the obligation to sell GE stock at a specific time period and price, for the obligation you are paid a premium. The obligation can be short term (30 days or less, or longer 1 year or more) You get paid more "Time premium" the longer the contract life and the premium is higher if people are scared (ie the VIX is high etc..) If ge never reaches that specific price then you keep the premiums (the one who bought the calls, loses money) You can sell calls with intrinsic + time value or just calls with time value.

You can also write puts if you want to buy GE at a specific price and get paid to do so. (ie GE 13 puts etc..) I also write puts as well. Warren buffet sells puts instead of using limit orders when interested in acquiring more shares.

You should talk to your financial advisor and discuss options, they are not for everyone and there are risks involved with options.

By: VirginiaParrish

VirginiaParrish — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 20:07:18 +0000

What is covered calls?, & how do you do it? Dividends are great I use them to reinvest in the company. The stock is really cheap now a good time to get additional stock.Keeping the appliance division is a smart move. I really thought they were making a mistake sellng it.

By: Beverley W. Bayar

Beverley W. Bayar — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 19:52:44 +0000

I am a Widow and certainly appreciate the dividend that I receive. Thank you GE!