GE Beats 1Q Estimate; Revenues from Appliances & Lighting Down 3% year over year to $1.8 Billion.

Diversified conglomerate General Electric Company’s (GE) first quarter 2014 results were a mixed bag as although operating earnings decreased year over year, it marginally exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny. Operating earnings for the reported quarter declined to $3.3 billion or 33 cents a share from $4.1 billion or 39 cents a share in the year-ago quarter. The decrease in year-over-year earnings was primarily attributable to high restructuring charges of the company to focus on industrial manufacturing roots and reduce dependence on the financial sector to ease credit risks.  Read more.