GE’s stock gets a lift on reports of Apollo’s interest in GECAS

General Electric’s (GE) stock got a good boost today after Bloomberg reported that private equity group Apollo Global Management is looking to buy the company’s jet leasing operations, GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), either in part or full. The proposed bid is estimated at $40 billion.

Apollo is reportedly trying to arrange financing for the major part of the amount. GE’s shares have gained meaningfully since the news came out on Friday.

GECAS is a strong business and has reported solid results consistently which makes it a valuable asset. This sale will generate much-needed cash for the troubled conglomerate and will help streamline operations, in line with the company’s plans.

GE has been struggling for quite a while and the company announced in 2018 that it was planning to divest several of its units in order to focus primarily on its power, aviation and renewable energy businesses. The difficulties faced by the company eventually led to the exit of CEO John Flannery who was replaced by Larry Culp in October.

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It was also reported that the power division was experiencing weaknesses that would cause the company to miss its guidance for earnings and free cash flow for 2018. GECAS is a part of the GE Capital division, and the sale of the aircraft-leasing operations is expected to help reduce debt and improve GE’s overall credit rating.

Over the past one month, GE’s shares have gained 17%. The stock was up 4.9% as of 11:15 am ET.

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