U.S. stocks plunge on General Electric shock

Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008 16:01:04 (GMT)
U.S. stocks plunge on General Electric shock

U.S. stocks sharply lower as investors received a jolt courtesy of
General Electric Co.'s earnings miss and reduced forecast, with the
surprisingly negative report from one of the world's biggest companies
casting a gloomy tone.

GE posts surprise 6% profit fall, cuts 2008 outlook

General Electric Co. pulls an unpleasant surprise on investors,
reporting a 6% drop in first-quarter net profit -- largely over trouble
in its financial-services businesses -- and revising lower its 2008
outlook.