Based on the aggregated intelligence of 180,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, industrial behemoth General Electric (NYSE: GE) has earned a respected four-star ranking.

With that in mind, let's take a closer look at GE's business and see what CAPS investors are saying about the stock right now.

GE facts

Headquarters (Founded) Fairfield, Conn. (1892)
Market Cap $201.5 billion
Industry Industrial conglomerates
Trailing-12-Month Revenue $147.3 billion
Management Chairman/CEO Jeffrey Immelt
Vice Chairman/CFO Keith Sherin
Return on Equity (Average, Past 3 Years) 10.6%
Cash/Debt $131.9 billion / $453.4 billion
Dividend Yield 3.6%
Competitors Honeywell International
Siemens
United Technologies

Sources: S&P Capital IQ and Motley Fool CAPS.

On CAPS, 94% of the 16,403 members who have rated GE believe the stock will outperform the S&P 500 going forward.  

Late last year, one of those Fools, All-Star TheMiracleDJR, offered a rather honest take on the opportunity:

Entrenched global powerhouse with political connections a trillion miles long. No love at all for the company, no faith that they care about anything except increased profits, but can't imagine how anyone beats them. If you want to build railroad cars in Brazil, jet plane engines, sell light bulbs to governments, etc., good luck stepping in front of them in the line. Never be a market whomper from here, too big, but definitely a steady earner.

If you want to retire rich, you need to put together the best portfolio you can. Owning exceptional stocks is a surefire way to secure your financial future. Of course, despite a strong four-star rating, GE may not be your top choice.

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