Slower global economy hits GE earnings in 2015

A slowing global economy and major corporate adjustments pushed General Electric into a loss in 2015, but the US industrial giant reported firm gains for the fourth quarter on Friday. GE said sales fell 1.3 percent in the quarter to $30.5 billion and costs surged but tax and other benefits helped it turn in a 22.3 percent gain in net earnings at $6.3 billion. Sales revenues were also down in the year, by 0.9 percent to $105.8 billion, while rising expenses, the costs of restructuring and taking