GE to Sell Security Business

General Electric (GE) is arranging to sell its security business, which makes alarms, surveillance systems and other safety products, and hopes to attract bids in the range of $2 billion for the unit. This move represents GE’s strategy of exiting from non-core businesses.

GE has hired JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) to sell the portion of its business that makes security products. The business has drawn interest from GE’s rivals United Technologies Corp. (UTX) and Tyco International (TYC).

Security assets have traditionally attracted private equity buyers, but due to the difficult economic environment and an expressed interest by GE in selling these assets to a strategic buyer, bid amounts could be depressed for such a product portfolio. It remains in question whether acquirers will be interested in GE Security’s full portfolio of products, or only bits and pieces of the business.

General Electric has products and services ranging from aircraft engines, power generation, water processing and security technology to medical imaging, business and consumer financing, media content and industrial products. It serves customers in more than 100 countries and employ more than 300,000 people worldwide. We currently have a Neutral recommendation on GE.

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