The Rising Influence of Rising Affluence

[DewDiligence]

Barron’s says GE has plans for (partial) finance spinoff:

http://online.barrons.com/article/SB50001424052748703320204579081311460014386.html

…Wall Street expects the company to announce by December a spinoff of its consumer-lending operations. That has been a long time coming, but with the market hitting new highs and stock offerings once again finding willing buyers, the delay could pay off.

Such a split could win fans among stock investors. There are many who like industrials and many who like consumer lenders, but few who want both in the same company. GE would retain financial businesses where it enjoys competitive advantages, like aircraft leasing, in which it uses strong industry knowledge to keep profits robust.

In other words, the kind of captive finance subsidiary that such companies as CAT and DE have long used to advantage.