Buy or Sell GE Aerospace Stock?

GE Aerospace (GE) stock has fallen 20% during the past month, and is currently trading at $273.25. We believe there are only a couple of things to fear in GE stock given its overall strong operating performance and financial condition. This is aligned with the stock’s high valuation because of which we think it is fairly priced.

Below is our assessment:

Ask yourself – Is holding GE stock risky? Of course it is. High Quality Portfolio mitigates that risk.

Let’s get into details of each of the assessed factors but before that, for quick background: With $287 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 High

This table highlights how GE is valued vs broader market. For more details see: GE Valuation Ratios

[2] Growth Is Strong

• GE Aerospace has seen its top line grow at an average rate of 18.3% over the last 3 years
• Its revenues have grown 18% from $39 Bil to $46 Bil in the last 12 months
• Also, its quarterly revenues grew 17.6% to $13 Bil in the most recent quarter from $11 Bil a year ago.

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 $8.7 Bil representing operating margin of 18.9%
• With cash flow margin of 18.6%, it generated nearly $8.5 Bil in operating cash flow over this period
• For the same period, GE generated nearly $8.7 Bil in net income, suggesting net margin of about 19.0%

This table highlights how GE profitability vs broader market. For more details see: GE Operating Income Comparison

[4] Financial Stability Looks Strong

• GE Debt was $20 Bil at the end of the most recent quarter, while its current Market Cap is $287 Bil. This implies Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 7.2%
• GE Cash (including cash equivalents) makes up $12 Bil of $130 Bil in total Assets. This yields a Cash-to-Assets Ratio of 9.5%

[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 $345.74 on 2 March 2026 , and currently trades at $273.25

 
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

 
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

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.