Revenues in its GE Healthcare business dropped in the first quarter of 2015 (end-March 31), even as profit grew by the same amount, industrial conglomerate GE reported.
For the period, revenues in the healthcare segment fell 3% to $4.075 billion, compared with $4.198 billion in the first quarter of 2014. The segment's profit rose 3% to $587 million, compared with $570 million in the same quarter of 2014.
Orders for healthcare equipment dropped 1% to $2.3 billion, while orders for healthcare services fell 2% to $1.9 billion (excluding foreign exchange impacts). The segment's profit margin was 14.4%, up 0.8 points, and was driven by "simplification," according to the company.
GE said its healthcare business in the first quarter was characterized by strength in developed markets, while emerging markets were slower.
