Earnings and revenue were both significantly better than expected.
GM's announced cut both to the dividend and to executive pay is not a big surprise. Cuts like this were important to negotiations with the unions for similar types of cuts in unionized pay structure.
The damage from the storm, both in terms of the physical damage and any human impact, was certainly less than expected so that should really bode well for the financial markets.
GE's businesses are benefiting from the economic environment both domestically and internationally. But revenue did fall slightly below Wall Street's expectations, which is a bit of a disappointment.
GE's businesses are benefiting from the economic environment, both domestically and internationally. But revenue did fall slightly below Wall Street's expectations, which is a bit of a disappointment.
Companies are beginning to tell the markets they are going to take a hit from both Katrina and higher oil prices. Demand for stocks in the short term may slow down.