Even before Apple’s March 19 news that it would finally use
some of its stupendous cash hoard to pay stockholders a dividend, Wall
Streeters were speculating, as seen on Barron’s
blog, about what GE will do with its pile of money.
Fodder came from a Credit Suisse (CS) analysis suggesting
higher dividends to the parent GE from GE Capital.
CS speculated that a special dividend, stock buy-backs, or
an acquisition might be in the offing.
If GE made an acquisition, it might, according to the blog, buy
in “process automation.” Those two words encompass a number of companies,
including several manufacturers serving the electrical distribution and control
field.