General Electric (NYSE:GE), a global producer of industrial, aviation and medical goods, was the biggest detractor for the quarter. While GE has benefited from improved margins and capital allocation, shares were weak during the quarter due to concerns over the company’s 2016 guidance. After producing organic growth of 1% in the first half, the company forecasts full-year organic growth between 2-4%. GE expects its Power division will drive this growth, with planned turbine shipments nearly double what they were in the first half of the year. The market appears to believe these forecasts are aggressive and expects GE management to reduce guidance when it next reports earnings. The timing of turbine shipments is essentially irrelevant to the value of the company, and our long-term investment thesis remains entirely intact.
From Bill Nygren (Trades, Portfolio) and David Herro (Trades, Portfolio)'s Oakmark Global Select Fund third quarter 2016 commentary.
