Most of the industrial bellwethers have reported mixed results for the fourth quarter of 2015.

Amidst global growth slowdown, while a few have managed to report better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings, most of them have reported a year-over-year decline in revenue.
 
Revenue weakness was widespread among the industrial players. The blame goes largely to the stronger dollar as most of these companies have significant international exposure resulting in an unfavorable currency impact. The woes intensified thanks to reduced spending, plunging prices for crude oil and persistent China troubles.
 
Below we have highlighted in greater detail earnings of some of the major industrial companies which really drive this sector’s outlook.
 
Industrial Earnings in Focus
 
General Electric Company (GE)
 
Diversified industrial conglomerate General Electric posted mixed fourth quarter results as it beat on earnings but missed on revenues. The company’s earnings came in at 52 cents per share, up 27% from the year-ago figure and ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2 cents. Shares of the company fell slightly after the earnings release.
 
Revenues were up 1% to $33.9 billion, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $35.9 billion.  The adverse impact of falling energy prices was evident in GE’s large oil and gas business. GE has undertaken a major restructuring initiative to cut costs (read: Industrial ETFs in Focus on GE Mixed Q4 Results).
 
3M Company (MMM)
 
Another major conglomerate, 3M Company reported earnings of $1.80 per share for fourth-quarter 2015, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.62. Net sales during the quarter were $7.3 billion, down 5.4% year over year but ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $7.2 billion. The year-over-year decrease in sales was largely due to a significantly negative foreign currency translation impact. 3M shares gained on the day of its earnings release.
 
Honeywell International Inc. (HON)

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