I have organized the articles that I researched in chronological order.

     Also, I divided my articles into five categories and created links to each category.  If one area of General Electric is of interest to you you can go directly to that category.  Here is a list of the categories and links to each one.
 

1. Murray, Matt.  "GE's Net Rises 20% on Strong Economy," Wall Street Journal, April 14, 2000:  A3.

   General Electric's first quarter net income rose 20% with gains across many of its businesses.  Net income rose from $2.16 billion to $2.59 billion in a year and revenue rose 24% from $24.17 billion a year to $30 billion.  Some of GE's top performing businesses were GE Capital, GE Power Systems, and NBC to name a few. GE Capital which makes up about a half of GE's revenue grew 21% and GE Power Systems had a 88% revenue gain to become the companies largest non financial business.  While NBC experienced an 18% revenue gain and has already sold 80% of its commercial time for the 2000 summer olympics.  Also, GE Appliances which have been struggling lately because of intense price competition incurred a 15% increase in revenue.  GE has benefited largely from the strong economy.  As a result of the forecast of their increased quarterly earnings, GE stocks have been trading at yearly highs during recent weeks.  However in the past few days the stocks have fallen due to the changes in the market.  The GE shareholder's are scheduled to vote on a 3-for-1 stock split later this month.  Also, GE has repurchased 308 million shares of stock since its buyback program began in December 1994.
 
 

2.  Schultz, Ellen E. and Murray, Matt.  "Amid Protests, GE Will Boost Pension Checks,"  Wall Street Journal, April 18, 2000:  A3; A8.

      General Electric decided to increase the pension checks for retirees who retired on or before January 1, 1997 with at least twenty-five years of service.  This announcement came just ten days before the annual shareholder's meeting where many retirees were planning on protesting for cost-of-living increases.  However, a General Electric spokesperson denied the talk of protests as the cause for the increase.  The increases will begin May 1 with people that retired before 1986 receiving a 15 to 35 percent increases on their pensions.  For employees that retired before 1975 would receive an extra sixty dollars a year for each year of service and for employees who retired between 1975 and 1981 will receive an extra fifty dollars a year for each year of service.  According to GE Chairman and Chief Executive John F. Welch Jr., " This improvement provides the largest amounts for those who have been retired the longest and generally have the greatest need."  The current average monthly payment for the nearly 200,000 GE retirees is $700 a month and GE spends approximately 1.9 billion dollars a year in pension payments.  GE can afford to increases pensions considering they have about twice the pension assets than is needed to meet its obligations.  General Electric has been reluctant to make increases in the past because a decline in the stock market could make the pension plan less well funded.  However, the truth is only a sustained drop over a year would make a dent in the funding of most large pension plans. 

3.  Flint, Joe.  "NBC Makes Deal to Rebroadcast 'NBC Nightly News' on PAX TV,"  Wall Street Journal, April 18, 2000:  B8.

General Electric Co. owned NBC has decided to rebroadcast NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw on Paxson Communication Corp.'s PAX TV network.  NBC owns a 32% stake in the television network.  Under this agreement PAX will air the show one hour after the show is aired on NBC and it's affiliates.  This is the beginning of NBC using PAX as a secondary service for its programming.  This deal will hopefully increase viewership and advertising rates for NBC Nightly News, while at the same time increase PAX's audience.  PAX stations will also carry local news from NBC-owned stations.  This agreement is not permanent yet, it will be tested for the month of May before it goes full force in the fall.  Industry experts call this type of maneuvering, repurposing and it is being practiced by other corporations such as ABC and the cable channel Lifetime.  The problems with repurposing have to do with the affiliates.  An affiliate is a company that sells time to a television network such as NBC to show their programming.  NBC spends between $150 million and $200 million annually for the affiliates to carry their programming.  The affiliates are against repurposing in fear that it will hurt their ratings causing the amount of money the television network pays them to decrease.  Because of the negative reaction of the affiliates, NBC is trying to make the idea appeal to them by encouraging them to let the PAX stations in their markets rebroadcast their news so that they can sell ad time for the PAX station.  This has not happened with any affiliates yet.  Paxson Chief Executive Jeff Sagnasky believes that it is a more efficient use of programming and that it will benefit viewers who miss the show the first time it is aired. 

4.  Murray, Matt.  "The Web @ Work:  General Electric Co.,"  Wall Street Journal Interactive Edition, April 24, 2000.

   The Wall Street Journal does a weekly case study of how companies are incorporating the Internet into their business.  Their feature on General Electric Co. focused on how they were unveiling an extensive redesign of their web site and the changes they have made.  Their goal was to increase their online transactions and link their many different businesses together.  Because of General Electric's many different businesses and customers, they decided to make their web site less like a standard corporate web site and more like and Internet portal that links people to its many different options.  The type of items they market range from lighting fixtures, to small business loans to kitchen appliances so they would like to create a type of one-stop shopping venue.  Pam Wickham, manager of GE.com say the redesign started about 5 months ago and is moving the web site from a brochure to a place where people can actually purchase products on-line.  A great new feature are the cluster links, which link together different activities from different General Electric businesses.  For example, the Utilities link offers loans or lease equipment from GE Capital, power equipment from GE Power Systems, lights from GE Lighting, and electric fixtures from GE Industrial Systems.  The final result of this redesign is a web page that makes all of General Electric just a click or two away from the browser.

5.  Flint, Joe.  "NBC Yields to Affiliates, Ending Plan To Rebroadcast News Show on PAX TV," Wall Street Journal, May 1, 2000:  B25.

General Electric Co. owned NBC suspended their plan to rebroadcast NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw on Paxson Communications Corp.'s PAX TV network.  This is a rare win for the NBC affiliates who were against the plan because they believed that it would cause a drop in their number of viewers and their ratings.  NBC has been angering their affiliates as of late when they began to air repeats of the game show, Twenty One just days after it began airing.  NBC will now be focusing on forming a joint sales agreement between the affiliates and PAX TV network.  In this agreement, the affiliates would be able to sell advertising on PAX stations and in return they will allow PAX to rebroadcast their local news programs.  Another problem that the affiliates had with the rebroadcast was that NBC failed to inform them of the plan before they announced it publicly.  Anthony Vinciquerra, executive Vice President of Hearst-Argyle Television Inc., which owns 10 NBC affiliates in large cities stated, "We want to make sure if the rebroadcast happens, that it is a joint decision of the stations and the network."  PAX TV network is willing to go along with the plan and NBC is still providing many programs to the network, including movies, miniseries, the U.S. Olympic Trials and the game show, Twenty One. 

6.  "GE Asset Mgmt Expands Mutual Fund Pdt Line," Dow Jones Newswires, May 2, 2000.

GE Asset Management Incorporated a division of General Electric Co. just announced the expansion of it mutual funds line.  The GE Funds mutual funds product line is now at twenty-one.  The new package goes by the name of "Premier"  The first mutual fund is GE Premier Research Equity Fund, which seeks long term growth and future income.  The fund is invested in a limited number of stocks of large and medium-sized companies.   The portfolio manager chooses the fund by the recommendations of analysts.  The GE Premier International Equity Fund is similar to the Research Equity Fund except it invests in companies outside of the U.S.  The GE Premier Value Equity Fund is similar to  the GE Premier Research Equity fund, except the companies are chosen because they  undervalued by the market but have solid growth prospects.  Finally, the GE S&P 500 Index Fund differs from the other three.  It seeks growth of capital and accumulation of income that corresponds to the investment return of the Standard & Poor's Composite Stock Index.  There are three ways to purchase GE Funds:  1) through investment professionals in traditional share classes; 2) through the new GE Financial Network; and 3) through retail fund supermarkets like Schwab and NetStock.  GE Asset Management Incorporated currently is in control of $112 billion dollars for individuals and institutional investors.  To find out more about GE Funds visit http://www.gefn.com/mutualfunds.

7.  "GE Transportation, Lubrizol in Diesel Engine Fluid Venture," Dow Jones Newswires, May 1, 2000.

GE Transportation Systems is a division of General Electric Co.  They have just entered into a joint venture with Lubrizol Corp.  Together they will develop and market products and services to manage diesel engine fluids.  The new products will use Lubrizol's FluiPak technology to provide real time assessment of the condition and replenishment of fluids, such as engine oil.  General Electric's Remote Monitoring and Diagnostic Service center will provide remote fluid management services.  The new company will begin operation during the second quarter and will be planted in Northeast Ohio.  General Electric will have a slight majority of the ownership with 51%, while Lubrizol Corp. will hold 49%. 

8.  "GE Capital In User Pact For Noosh.com Svc," Dow Jones Newswires, May 2, 2000.

GE Capital, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Electric Co. announced an agreement with Noosh Inc., a leading provider of business-to-business e-commerce solutions for the printing industry.  GE Capital is a global financial services company that provides equipment management, specialty financing and insurance and a variety of consumer services including, car leasing, home mortgages and credit cards.  Noosh Inc, was founded in 1998 with the mission to provide high quality printing for business-to-business e-commerce and internet-based communication.  It provides the services to improve the process of buying, selling and managing print.  The agreements include an enterprise-wide use of Noosh.com service for print procurement and management.  Noosh Inc. will also help improve communication between internal teams and outside vendors and provide reports to help buyers and printers optimize business decisions.  Finally, General Electric has given certain rights to Noosh Inc. in regards to its technology.  These rights include a technological process of evaluating and measuring the performance and quality of its print and creative service vendors. Ofer Ben-Shachar, Chairman and CEO of Noosh Inc. stated, "GE Capital's decision to invest in and utilize the noosh.com service is a significant step forward for Noosh and we are very pleased about the agreements between the two companies."

9.  Druckerman, Pamela.   "Mexico's TV Azteca, NBC Settle Feud, Form Alliance,"  Wall Street Journal, May 3, 2000:  A21.

General Electric Co. owned NBC made and agreement in 1994 with fledgling Mexican television network TV Azteca.  The agreement gave NBC an option to buy as much as 10% of the television network in exchange for management and programming expertise.  In 1997, NBC went to exercise some of its options but TV Azteca Chairman Ricardo Salinas Pilego said that NBC had not fulfilled the agreement.  The matter has been under arbitration at the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris, France since then.  TV Azteca, which is now the second largest broadcaster in Mexico agreed to pay $46 million to NBC to settle the litigation and at the same time, NBC agreed to pay $26 million to TV Azteca for 1% stake in the company.  The cash payment by Azteca is higher than they had wanted and market watchers had expected.  NBC has also discussed swapping advertising time for a stake in Todito.com, a Spanish Internet portal that is half-owned by TV Azteca.  Jose Linares, an analyst at J.P. Morgan & Co. stated that, "TV Azteca realized that having NBC as an enemy was worse than a good settlement.  The last thing you want is a massive giant like NBC against you."

10.  Murray, Matt.  "Plug Power Stock Drops Nearly 6% On Snag With GE,"  Wall Street Journal, May 8, 2000:  A12.

In February 1999, General Electric Co.  signed a contract to buy 485 fuel cells from Plug Power Inc.  However, on Thursday May 4, 2000, General Electric was relieved from this contract because the fuel cells did not conform to specifications that were outlined in the contract.  This event caused shares of Plug Power Inc. to drop 6% because of analysts statements about the company.  This 6% drop followed a 27% drop on Thursday due to the disclosure of its first quarter earnings.  Amir Karim of Goldman, Sachs & Co.  changed his rating from out performer to performer saying that the stock could be "vulnerable" because of the "uncertainty being created, and the near term product development issues.  Luckily for Plug Power Inc., General Electric is still planning to purchase most, if not all, of the 485 fuel cells.  Two reasons for General Electric's continuing support of Plug Power Inc. is that they hold a 12% stake in the company and the head of GE Power Systems, Robert L. Nardelli, is on their executive board.

11.  Flint, Joe.  "NBC Will Retain 'Friends' in Lineup; Cast Accepts Deal,"  Wall Street Journal, May 15, 2000:  B16.

General Electric Co. owned NBC television network will retain Time Warner Inc.'s Warner Bros. television show Friendsin their thursday night line up.  NBC really needs the television show to help keep its ratings up since they have begun to fall over the years.  The cast members of Friends are reportedly earning $750,000 per episode, which comes out to about $18 million a year plus they also receive a portion of the show's revenue.  NBC was responsible for paying $5 million per episode to Time Warner Inc. as a licensing fee in the past and this amount will probably go up this year due to the cast members' raises.  This deal could not have come at a later time for NBC because they need to start selling advertising time for next year.  The uncertainty if Friends would be in the lineup next year would have hurt their ability to sell advertising time.  The deal also helps NBC because it provides assurance that they will have a few of their big hits stay on television.  On top of Friends, NBC also signed long-term contracts with the popular shows, ERand Law & Order.
 

12.  Flint, Joe.  "NBC Unveils Fall Lineup That Takes Some Risks,"  Wall Street Journal, May 16, 2000:  B10.

General Electric Co. owned NBC released their fall lineup for Fall 2000.  They stuck with their powerful Thursday night lineup but took some risks on the other nights of the week.  One big change that NBC is making during the day is extending the popular Today Show from two hours to three hours.  A large risk that NBC is taking is beginning five out of seven nights a week with a new or unproven show.  Another risk it is taking is cutting back on the use of the popular news magazine, Dateline, which they are cutting back from five nights a week to three.  NBC is changing it's Saturday nights from drama to a new movie each week and the Sunday night line up will under go some changes also.  What may a big hit is the new nighttime soap from Aaron Spelling called Titans.  In the spring, NBC will be to launch coverage of their new football league the XFL, that they have created with the World Wrestling Federation Entertainment Inc.  The following is a list of new shows that will be in this upcoming season and some shows that will be not be around next season.
 
 

13.  Lee, Stephen.  "Magnum Hunter, GE Capital Unit In $23M Limited Partnership,"  Dow Jones Newswires, May 24, 2000.

 Magnum Hunter Resources Inc., an oil and gas exploration and development company formed a limited partnership with GE Capital's Structures Finance Group's oil and gas unit.  GE Capital is a wholly-owned subsidiary of General Electric Co.  They formed the partnership Mallard Hunter LP to acquire certain oil and gas reserves from two of Magnum Hunter's units.  Magnum Hunter is the general partner while the General Electric unit is a limited partner.  Magnum Hunter assigned 20 billion cubic feet of reserves to the partnership in return for $23 million dollar with a 35% reversionary interest upon the predetermined partnership pay out.  they will use this money to reduce their commercial bank debt on two of its credit lines.  Gruy Pretroleum  Management Co., a unit of Magnum Hunter will remain operator of the properties.

14.  Murray,  Matt.  "GE, Unions to Discuss Labor Accord Next Week,"  Wall Street Journal, May 25, 2000:  A4.

    General Electric Co. and its fourteen major unions will meet on Tuesday May 30, 2000 to negotiate their current three year contract, which expires June 25.  The two most  controversial issues are expected to be job security and pension payments.  Although, only one-tenth of General Electric's workers are unionized the terms of the contract will be extended to almost of all of its 197,00 domestic employees.  Recent labor talks between the union and General Electric have been cordial but tense with union membership on decline and General Electric enjoying record profits. Edward L. Fire, president of the International Union of Electronic Workers said workers intend to  bargain for a moratorium on plant for the length of the new agreement, a new way to compensate employees that re unemployed because of outsourcing and improve the ability of employees to save their jobs by undertaking their own cost-cutting. William J. Conalty, General Electric's senior vice president of human resources, responded to the idea of a moratorium by reiterating the company's policy that they need to stay competitive and can not be halted by constraints.  In regards to the issue of pension, General Electric heels that they have been generous and sufficient in their pension increases, but the unions feel that the General Electric pension fund could afford a larger increase.  Other issues that will be discussed are annual salary increases and company benefits.

15.  "GE Capital Unveils Web-Based Fleet Reporting," Dow Jones Newswires, May 30, 2000.

Fleet Services a division of GE Capital, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of General Electric Co. launched web-based reporting today. GE Capital Fleet Services is one of the largest fleet management companies in the world with more than one million commercial cars and trucks under lease and service.  Web-based reporting is a an online tool designed to help fleet managers quickly utilize fleet data to audit their bill and eliminate unnecessary expenditures.  The web-based reporting tool is offered in four levels.  Basic reporting is where a user can access pre-defined reports, including billing, lease, fuel, and maintenance information through a user ID and password.  Advanced reporting, which offers additional features including, creating custom reports, viewing data from previous time periods and take advantage of analytical capabilities of the program.  Subscription reporting, which offers the option for fleet managers to subscribe to reports and exception notices through e-mail, pager, fax, etc.  Finally, email  reporting allows smaller fleets to receive monthly emails that give them a simplified report.  This program fits with General Electric's transitioning into a more e-business model.  The goal of the company's e-business strategy is to ensure that every General Electric business has high quality online services, to bring resources onto the web and to continue to develop and improve their new technologies.