May 21, 2018

GE slims down, selling rail unit in $11 billion deal

Dan Primack, author of Pro Rata

Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images

General Electric has agreed to sell its railroad business to Wabtec for around $11.1 billion.

Why it's a big deal: This signals that GE chief exec John Flanney is serious about refocusing his struggling company, with GE Lighting also on the block and continued speculation that GE could separate its three major business units.

It also means Wabtec will become one of the world's largest makers of freight locomotives and rail equipment, nearly doubling its current annual revenue.

Deal terms: GE will receive $2.9 billion in cash and a 9.9% stake in the combined company, while GE shareholders will receive a 40.2% stake.

Bottom line: "This is the beginning of the unraveling of General Electric," Andrew Ross Sorkin, CNBC

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