General Electric net profit slips 9%

LONDON (MarketWatch) -- Dow component General Electric Co. /quotes/zigman/227468/quotes/nls/ge GE +2.59% on Friday reported third-quarter net profit fell 9% to $3.2 billion, or 31 cents a share, from $3.5 billion, or 33 cents share, in the same period last year. Total revenue slipped to $35.7 billion from $36.3 billion.
 
Analysts expected revenue of $36.02 billion. Orders in the U.S. climbed 18% in the period, while those in Europe rose 17% and orders in growth markets picked up 22%. "Our third-quarter results were very strong in an improving global business environment," said GE Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt in the earnings release. "Our industrial strength was broad-based, with six of seven businesses growing earnings."