GE Posts Higher Quarterly Profit BOSTON (Reuters) - General Electric Co. (GE.N: Quote , Profile , Research ) on Friday said third-quarter earnings rose as profit gains across many of its financial and industrial businesses outweighed hurricane-related costs. GE, whose businesses range from jet engines to NBC Universal, said it earned $4.05 billion, or 38 cents per share, compared with $3.65 billion, or 40 cents a share, a year earlier. Analysts on average forecast earnings of 38 cents a share, according to Reuters Estimates. The company's acquisitions of Vivendi Universal Entertainment and medical equipment company Amersham increased the number of outstanding shares, diluting earnings per share. "The economy we see continues to be very strong, with our total orders for the quarter up 27%. Eight of our 11 businesses delivered at least double-digit earnings growth," GE Chief Executive Jeff Immelt said in a statement. "This continued performance," Immelt said, "further strengthens our confidence in our outlook for double-digit earnings growth in the fourth quarter of 2004 and in 2005." The Fairfield, Connecticut-based company said revenue rose 15 percent to $38.3 billion, beating analysts' expectations of $37.9 billion. GE, which is viewed as an economic barometer for its wide range of businesses, said it expects to report annual earnings of $1.57 to $1.60 per share. Analysts are expecting $1.58, Reuters Estimates said. GE boosted loss reserves at its reinsurance business by $300 million to protect against claims for four hurricanes that hit the southeastern U.S. during the quarter. Quelle "GE Posts Higher Quarterly Profit" : reuters.com Main page for "GE Posts Higher Quarterly Profit"