GE said it finished 2012 on strong footing despite mixed global economic development. The company's GE Healthcare business posted revenues for the fourth quarter (end-December 31) that were essentially flat, while the division's year-end sales were up 1%.
GE Healthcare's revenues for the most recent period were $5.18 billion, essentially the same as the $5.16 billion in sales posted in the fourth quarter of 2011. For the full year, healthcare revenues were up 1% to $18.29 billion, from $18.08 billion recorded in 2011, GE said.
On the operating profit side, GE Healthcare's income rose 7% during the fourth quarter of 2012 to $1.02 billion, compared with $953 million for the same period in 2011. For the year, healthcare profits rose 4% to $2.92 billion, compared with $2.80 billion in 2011.
GE said that overall it continued to emphasize its industrial products portfolio in 2012 at the expense of its financial services arm, which has been made smaller and more focused.
