GE Aerospace Stock To $284?
Our multi-factor assessment suggests that it may be time to reduce exposure to GE stock. We are primarily concerned current valuation and a price of $284 may not be out of reach. We believe there is not much to fear in GE stock given its overall Strong operating performance and financial condition. But given its Very High valuation, the stock appears Relatively Expensive.
Below is our assessment:
| CONCLUSION | |
|---|---|
| What you pay: | |
| Valuation | Very High |
| What you get: | |
| Growth | Very Strong |
| Profitability | Moderate |
| Financial Stability | Very Strong |
| Downturn Resilience | Very Weak |
| Operating Performance | Strong |
| Stock Opinion | Relatively Expensive |
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Let’s get into details of each of the assessed factors but before that, for quick background: With $317 Bil in market cap, GE Aerospace provides advanced industrial solutions across Power, Renewable Energy, Aviation, and Healthcare, delivering medical imaging, digital health, diagnostics, and drug discovery technologies globally.
[1] Valuation Looks Very High
| GE | S&P 500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Sales Ratio | 7.3 | 11.4 |
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio | 39.6 | 37.5 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio | 49.5 | 54.0 |
This table highlights how GE is valued vs broader market. For more details see: GE Valuation Ratios
[2] Growth Is Very Strong
- GE Aerospace has seen its top line grow at an average rate of 15.7% over the last 3 years
- Its revenues have grown 18% from $37 Bil to $44 Bil in the last 12 months
- Also, its quarterly revenues grew 23.8% to $12 Bil in the most recent quarter from $9.8 Bil a year ago.
| GE | S&P 500 | |
|---|---|---|
| 3-Year Average | 15.7% | 12.2% |
| Latest Twelve Months* | 17.7% | 13.2% |
| Most Recent Quarter (YoY)* | 23.8% | 15.9% |
This table highlights how GE is growing vs broader market. For more details see: GE Revenue Comparison
[3] Profitability Appears Moderate
- GE last 12 month operating income was $9.0 Bil representing operating margin of 20.5%
- With cash flow margin of 17.2%, it generated nearly $7.6 Bil in operating cash flow over this period
- For the same period, GE generated nearly $8.1 Bil in net income, suggesting net margin of about 18.3%
| GE | S&P 500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Current Operating Margin | 20.5% | 37.5% |
| Current OCF Margin | 17.2% | 35.5% |
| Current Net Income Margin | 18.3% | 27.6% |
This table highlights how GE profitability vs broader market. For more details see: GE Operating Income Comparison
[4] Financial Stability Looks Very Strong
- GE Debt was $21 Bil at the end of the most recent quarter, while its current Market Cap is $317 Bil. This implies Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 6.5%
- GE Cash (including cash equivalents) makes up $14 Bil of $128 Bil in total Assets. This yields a Cash-to-Assets Ratio of 10.5%
| GE | S&P 500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Current Debt-to-Equity Ratio | 6.5% | 2.7% |
| Current Cash-to-Assets Ratio | 10.5% | 16.0% |
[5] Downturn Resilience Is Very Weak
GE has fared worse than the S&P 500 index during various economic downturns. We assess this based on both (a) how much the stock fell and, (b) how quickly it recovered.
2022 Inflation Shock
- GE stock fell 46.8% from a high of $72.17 on 27 May 2021 to $38.40 on 14 July 2022 vs. a peak-to-trough decline of 25.4% for the S&P 500.
- However, the stock fully recovered to its pre-Crisis peak by 9 March 2023
- Since then, the stock increased to a high of $314.28 on 29 October 2025 , and currently trades at $299.81
| GE | S&P 500 | |
|---|---|---|
| % Change from Pre-Recession Peak | -46.8% | -25.4% |
| Time to Full Recovery | 238 days | 464 days |
2020 Covid Pandemic
- GE stock fell 58.3% from a high of $66.18 on 12 February 2020 to $27.61 on 15 May 2020 vs. a peak-to-trough decline of 33.9% for the S&P 500.
- However, the stock fully recovered to its pre-Crisis peak by 3 March 2021
| GE | S&P 500 | |
|---|---|---|
| % Change from Pre-Recession Peak | -58.3% | -33.9% |
| Time to Full Recovery | 292 days | 148 days |
2008 Global Financial Crisis
- GE stock fell 84.2% from a high of $211.82 on 2 October 2007 to $33.49 on 5 March 2009 vs. a peak-to-trough decline of 56.8% for the S&P 500.
- However, the stock fully recovered to its pre-Crisis peak by 25 March 2025
| GE | S&P 500 | |
|---|---|---|
| % Change from Pre-Recession Peak | -84.2% | -56.8% |
| Time to Full Recovery | 5864 days | 1480 days |
But the risk is not limited to major market crashes. Stocks fall even when markets are good – think events like earnings, business updates, outlook changes. Read GE Dip Buyer Analyses to see how the stock has recovered from sharp dips in the past.
The Trefis High Quality (HQ) Portfolio, with a collection of 30 stocks, has a track record of comfortably outperforming its benchmark that includes all 3 – the S&P 500, S&P mid-cap, and Russell 2000 indices. Why is that? As a group, HQ Portfolio stocks provided better returns with less risk versus the benchmark index; less of a roller-coaster ride, as evident in HQ Portfolio performance metrics.