Investors don't seem to be able to make up their minds these days. While there are good reasons to be invested in stocks (tightening labor markets, moderate growth in the U.S., pockets of low valuation), there are other reasons to stay on the sidelines for now. For instance, the U.S. Presidential Election (or mudslinging contest) is weighing on stocks, and the Federal Reserve's persistent unwillingness to hike interest rates risks an overheating of the economy... which could lead to a potential downfall of the stock market, too. Risks and opportunities both exist.
General Electric (NYSE:GE) is only one company out of many that has had a more difficult standing with investors lately. Investor optimism with respect to General Electric went through the roof last year when the industrial company announced a major restructuring and billions upon billions of capital returns to shareholders. While investors ate that story up (and rightly so), profit taking has taken a toll on General Electric as of late.
