GE Aerospace delivered an outstanding performance in 2025, with fourth quarter revenue increasing 20% and full-year revenue up 21% to $9.1 billion in operating profit. The company reported strong earnings growth, with Q4 EPS rising 19% to $1.57 and full-year EPS jumping 38% to $6.37, driven by a 25% increase in operating profit and a 24% rise in free cash flow to $7.7 billion. Key performance drivers included robust commercial services growth (up 26%), record LEAP engine output (exceeding 1,800 units), and significant supply chain improvements. Looking ahead to 2026, management expects continued momentum with low double-digit revenue growth, EPS of $7.10 to $7.40 (up nearly 15%), and free cash flow of $8.0 billion to $8.4 billion, supported by a record $190 billion backlog.
| Metric | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Q4 Revenue Growth | +20% | N/A |
| Q4 EPS | $1.57 | +19% |
| FY 2025 Revenue Growth | +21% | N/A |
| FY 2025 EPS | $6.37 | +38% |
| FY 2025 Free Cash Flow | $7.7 Billion | +24% |
| FY 2025 Operating Profit | $9.1 Billion | +25% |
| Backlog | $190 Billion | +~$20 Billion |
| LEAP Engine Deliveries (2025) | >1,800 Units | +28% |
Management emphasized the successful integration of Technology and Operations (T&O) into the Commercial Engines & Services (CES) segment, led by Mohammad Ali. This organizational restructuring is designed to improve end-to-end engine life cycle management and accelerate output. By aligning engineering, supply chain, and product lines, GE aims to remove waste and improve agility, which is critical for digesting the massive $190 billion backlog. This signals a strategic pivot towards deeper vertical integration and operational efficiency to unlock shareholder value.
A major strategic highlight is the accelerated investment in the MRO network, specifically dedicating approximately $500 million to LEAP engine capacity. This includes expanding sites in Malaysia, Selma, and Dallas, and a new facility in Dubai, aiming to double internal LEAP capacity. With the LEAP installed base expected to triple by 2030, this capital deployment secures a long-term, high-margin revenue stream and strengthens GE's competitive moat in the commercial aftermarket.
Technological leadership remains a core pillar, with management citing the success of the GE NX HBT blade (improving time on wing by 2.5x) and the certification of the LEAP 1A durability kit. These innovations directly address customer pain points regarding cost of ownership and uptime. Furthermore, the advancement of hybrid-electric architecture demonstrates GE's commitment to future propulsion, ensuring relevance beyond the current jet cycle.
The defense segment presented a strong signal with a book-to-bill ratio above 2.0 in the fourth quarter and a backlog of $21 billion. Management's decision to move aeroderivative engines into the Defense & Propulsion Technologies (DPT) segment suggests a strategic focus on aligning supply chains to capture growth in military and adjacent markets. This diversification provides stability and offsets cyclicality in the commercial sector.
Management signaled confidence in the commercial aerospace cycle by noting that retirements for CFM56 engines remain low (1.6% in 2025, expected 2% in 2026) despite high new production. This 'flight deck' dynamic implies that older engines are staying on wing longer, driving a multi-year tailwind for shop visits and aftermarket services, which supports the mid-teens growth guidance for commercial services.
Capital allocation priorities are shifting towards reinvestment in the business, specifically US manufacturing and MRO capacity. Management highlighted generating over $20 billion of cash between 2024 and 2026 to reinvest in the future. This focus on internal investment over aggressive buybacks or M&A suggests a conviction in the organic growth story and the need to support a rapidly expanding installed base.
A significant concern is the projected doubling of losses on the GE9X program in 2026. CFO Rahul Ghai confirmed that losses, which were a 'couple hundred million dollars' in 2025, will double year-over-year as shipment volumes increase. This creates a substantial headwind for margins in the Commercial Engines & Services (CES) segment and raises questions about the long-term profitability profile of the GE777X platform for GE.
Despite strong revenue growth, management guided for CES margins to remain flat in 2026 compared to 2025. This stagnation is attributed to a 'lower spare engine ratio,' significant investments (including R&D), and the unfavorable mix of equipment growth outpacing services growth. Investors should monitor if the operational efficiencies from 'Flight Deck' can eventually overcome these structural margin headwinds.
Inventory growth continues to be a drag on free cash flow, though it is expected to slow in 2026. The company added $1 billion in inventory in 2025 to support output increases. While necessary for growth, this high working capital requirement reduces cash conversion efficiency in the near term and indicates the supply chain is still catching up to demand.
The transcript noted a 'difficult compare' in defense units, which were down 7% in the quarter. While price and mix helped, the decline in unit volume highlights potential lumpiness or execution challenges in the defense segment, even as backlog grows.
Management acknowledged that while supplier input improved 40% year-over-year, there is 'much more to do' to meet customer demand. The reliance on supplier performance to drive 'flight deck' results introduces an external execution risk; if the supply chain fails to keep pace with the 40%+ growth rates required, GE could face penalties or reputational damage with airline customers.
Overall: Management exhibited a highly confident and assured demeanor throughout the call, frequently characterizing 2025 as an 'outstanding year' and expressing strong conviction in the 2026 outlook. Both Larry Culp and Rahul Ghai were direct and data-driven in their responses, acknowledging specific headwinds like GE9X losses but framing them as manageable within the broader growth trajectory. There was no perceptible shift in tone between the prepared remarks and the Q&A session, maintaining a consistent focus on operational execution and 'flight deck' progress.
Confidence: HIGH - Management provided specific, quantified guidance for 2026 and detailed operational metrics (e.g., supplier input growth, turnaround times) to support their outlook. Their willingness to commit to $10 billion in operating profit two years early and the specificity regarding LEAP profitability and cash conversion signals high internal visibility and control.
Low double digits
$7.10 to $7.40 (Up nearly 15% at midpoint)
$8.0 billion to $8.4 billion
$9.85 billion to $10.25 billion
Up mid-teens
Up 15%
Hedging & Uncertainty: Management generally used direct language regarding past performance ('outstanding year', 'exceeded the high end') but employed more conditional phrasing when discussing future execution and specific headwinds. For example, Rahul Ghai stated, 'We expect to generate $8 billion to $8.4 billion of free cash flow... primarily from higher earnings,' using 'primarily' as a qualifier. Larry Culp used temporal hedges regarding the supply chain: 'I think we're confident that as we move forward here through the rest of the decade, we'll be able to satisfy what the airlines need.' The phrase 'I think' softens the commitment slightly. However, when pressed on LEAP profitability, the response was definitive: 'yes, we expect LEAP OE to be profitable in 2026,' showing a lack of hedging on a critical investor milestone.
2025 was an outstanding year for GE Aerospace. - Larry Culp, CEO
We're poised for another year of substantial revenue, EPS, and cash growth. - Larry Culp, CEO
Our losses on the 9x programs will double year over year. - Rahul Ghai, CFO
We expect LEAP OE to be profitable in 2026 as per our prior plans. - Rahul Ghai, CFO
We haven't seen anything here at the beginning of the year that gives us pause relative to the tailwinds. - Larry Culp, CEO
We're certainly going to aim to do that [outperform on services growth]. - Larry Culp, CEO
There's much more to do here in 2026. - Larry Culp, CEO
We feel good about the services outlook for 2026. - Rahul Ghai, CFO
Analyst Sentiment: Analysts were highly engaged, focusing heavily on the sustainability of margins, the specific mechanics of LEAP profitability, and the magnitude of GE9X losses. Questions were detailed and operational, probing the 'how' behind the guidance rather than doubting the 'what'.
Management Responses: Management responses were precise and data-rich, often citing specific percentages (e.g., '85% of the improvement will be from higher operating profit') and operational details (e.g., '40% bump from priority suppliers'). They effectively deflected concerns about the GE9X losses by framing them as expected and already priced into the guidance.
Discussion on the commercial aftermarket backdrop and the sustainability of mid-teens growth, with management confirming robust demand and low engine retirements.
Deep dive into LEAP engine profitability, with management confirming 2026 as the breakeven/profitability year for the OE business.
Analysis of margin headwinds in CES, specifically the impact of GE9X losses doubling and the lower spare engine ratio.
Inquiries into MRO capacity and turnaround time improvements, with management attributing gains to 'Flight Deck' initiatives and supply chain stability.
Questions regarding R&D spend allocation, specifically balancing current engine ramp costs (LEAP/GE9X) vs. future technologies (RISE program).
GE Aerospace is executing at a high level, successfully converting a massive backlog into double-digit revenue and profit growth. The operational discipline instilled by the 'Flight Deck' initiative is yielding tangible results in supply chain throughput and MRO capacity, evidenced by the 40% increase in supplier input and record LEAP output. While the GE9X program remains a financial drag in the near term, the diversification into a booming commercial services aftermarket and a resilient defense segment provides a strong multi-year growth trajectory. The reiteration of aggressive 2026 guidance, including $10B in operating profit, signals management's high confidence in their ability to navigate macro and supply chain complexities. The shift to integrating T&O further aligns the organization for efficiency, making GE a compelling play on the ongoing aerospace recovery.
Management described demand as 'robust' with no signs of slowing. Airlines are maximizing fleet utilization, leading to lower-than-expected retirements for CFM56 engines (1.6% vs 2-3% expectations), which extends the aftermarket tailwind.
The defense segment showed strength with a book-to-bill above 2.0 in Q4 and a 30% increase in full-year engine deliveries. Management cited a 'vital role' in powering warfighters, indicating stable government demand.
Significant progress was reported in the supply chain, with material input from priority suppliers growing over 40% YoY. However, management noted there is still 'more to do' to fully satisfy demand, indicating the environment is recovering but not yet normalized.