The Boston-based company also plans to eventually shed its majority stake in Baker Hughes, which became a separate public company in July after merging with GE’s oil and gas operations, this person said.
GE owns 63% of Baker Hughes, which had a market value of $40 billion based on Friday’s close. While it intends to exercise its option to exit Baker Hughes, the process hasn’t started and would be subject to some discussion between the companies’ boards. Under the current arrangement, GE is restricted from selling its stake for several years.