<Page> SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 ------------------------------------- FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 ------------------------------------- DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED) OCTOBER 21, 2003 GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER) NEW YORK 1-35 14-0689340 - ------------------------------- ---------------- ---------------------------- (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF (COMMISSION FILE (IRS EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION INCORPORATION) NUMBER) NO.) 3135 EASTON TURNPIKE, FAIRFIELD, CONNECTICUT 06828-0001 -------------------------------------------- ---------- (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) (ZIP CODE) REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE (203) 373-2211 <Page> Item 5. Other Events. On October 21, 2003, General Electric Company (the "Company") entered into an Underwriting Agreement covering the issue and sale by the Company of $2,500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its LIBOR Floating Rate Notes due 2005 (the "Notes"). The Notes were registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to the shelf registration statement (Registration Statement No. 333-104526) of the Company. Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits. (c) Exhibits. 1 Underwriting Agreement, dated October 21, 2003, among the Company and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and GECC Capital Markets Group, Inc., as Representatives, and the Underwriters named therein. 4 Form of Note. 5 Opinion of Robert E. Healing, the Company's Corporate Counsel. (2) <Page> SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY By: /s/ Philip D. Ameen ----------------------------------- Philip D. Ameen Vice President and Comptroller Date: October 29, 2003 (3)