GE appliance moves from frying pan to fire

GE (GE) cannot sell its appliance and light bulb operations, so it will increase its investments in the businesses. It is an odd course to take when the recession is still biting and investors want to see an improvement in GE's margins, particularly in its weakest operations.

According toThe Wall Street Journal, "GE is among many companies the recession has saddled with businesses they would rather exit." The paper reports that the conglomerate added 400 workers at a large plant recently.