GE Aerospace, listed on the NYSE under the ticker GE, disclosed its fourth-quarter financial outcomes for the year 2025, demonstrating considerable strength across its segments. The company reported worldwide GAAP revenues reaching $12.717 billion, indicative of an 18% increase compared to the prior year. This figure notably exceeded the consensus analyst forecast of approximately $11.177 billion in revenue, signaling broad commercial success.
In conjunction with revenue, the adjusted earnings per share (EPS) reported for the quarter stood at $1.57, outpacing the anticipated $1.43. Under continuing operations and accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP), EPS rose by 32% to $2.31, highlighting enhanced profitability. The adjusted EPS growth rate was 19% year-over-year, reinforcing the company's effective earnings expansion.
Cash generation was particularly strong, with operating activities yielding $2.096 billion, a 59% increase relative to the previous corresponding period. Correspondingly, free cash flow increased by 15% to $1.760 billion, reflecting effective conversion of earnings into liquidity. GE Aerospace maintained a robust cash position, reporting $12.4 billion in cash reserves and total borrowings of $20.5 billion as of the reporting date.
Chairman and CEO H. Lawrence Culp, Jr., provided insights on the company's performance, emphasizing the impact of the FLIGHT DECK initiative. He noted that GE Aerospace successfully accelerated both services and equipment output, which contributed to a growing backlog approaching $190 billion. The full-year results featured a 21% revenue increase and a 38% rise in EPS, with free cash flow conversion exceeding 100%, underscoring operational efficiency.
Culp expressed confidence in building upon the favorable momentum throughout 2026, targeting further growth in earnings and cash flow. He emphasized the company’s readiness to deliver ongoing value to customers by capitalizing on its solid market positioning.
During the earnings call, Culp addressed concerns about Boeing's 777X program delays, affirming that these have not affected near-term shipments of the GE9X engine. He dismissed notions of diminished demand within the airline and defense sectors, citing persistent order activity, input cost inflation, and strategic pricing and aftermarket service strength as supporting factors.
Analyzing segment-level performance, Commercial Engines & Services registered a 24% revenue increase to $9.468 billion in the last quarter of 2025. Despite this growth, the operating profit margin contracted by 420 basis points to 24.0%, indicating higher costs or margin pressure. The Defense & Propulsion Technologies segment recorded a 13% revenue rise to $2.839 billion, while its operating margin dipped by 70 basis points to 8.9%. The defense segment's book-to-bill ratio stood at 2.2 times, reflecting strong order inflows relative to deliveries.
Commercial engine deliveries climbed by 25% in 2025, including a record 1,802 LEAP engine shipments, representing a 28% increase. The company anticipates LEAP deliveries to grow another 15% in the coming year. For the quarter, total orders jumped 74% year over year to $27 billion, driven by robust demand across services and equipment. Orders for the Commercial Engines & Services segment advanced 76%, while the Defense & Propulsion Technologies segment saw a 61% rise.
Looking ahead to 2026, GE Aerospace set guidance for adjusted EPS within a range of $7.10 to $7.40, closely aligned with analyst estimates of $7.12. The company forecasted free cash flow between $8.0 billion and $8.4 billion, aiming for an adjusted effective tax rate below 17%. It indicated no immediate plans for debt repayment but intends to refinance maturities beyond 2026.
In terms of profitability, operating profit is projected to fall between $9.85 billion and $10.25 billion. Revenue growth for Commercial Engines & Services is expected in the mid-teens percentage range, with Defense & Propulsion Technologies forecasting a mid-single-digit to high-single-digit percentage increase.
Segment operating profit guidance includes $9.6 billion to $9.9 billion for Commercial Engines & Services and $1.55 billion to $1.65 billion for Defense & Propulsion Technologies. Corporate costs and eliminations are anticipated to range from negative $1.2 billion to negative $1.3 billion.
Regarding market response, GE Aerospace shares decreased slightly by 0.25% to $317.70 during premarket trading on the day of the earnings release. The stock remains near its 52-week peak of $332.79, underscoring continued investor interest and confidence in the company's performance and prospects.