Buybacks: 8.2 Million Shares at $406, Then 4.3 Million at $854Narrow moat

GE Vernova (GEV) — moat facet

GE Vernova bought back its shares at $406 in 2025 and $854 in 2026, spending customer-funded cash at more than twice the price.

GE Vernova has started returning its cash. It repurchased 8.2 million shares in 2025 at an average price of $4061, $3,316 million2, and 4.3 million more in the first half of 2026 at an average of $8543. Shares outstanding fell from 275,880,314 at the end of 2024 to 266,333,581 in June 202645, 3.5%6.

Average buyback price per share ($)4062025720Q1 2026854H1 2026GE Vernova results releases Q4 2025, Q1 2026 and Q2 2026
More than twice the price in a year.

The policy is stated: the company aims at "returning at least one third of cash generation to shareholders"7. The buyback authorization was raised to $10 billion from $6 billion in December 20258, and the quarterly dividend doubled to $0.509.

Buybacks are a vote of confidence that the cash is surplus. For a business whose cash is largely customer deposits, they are also a bet that the deposits will keep coming.

The price paid is rising fast. The 2026 purchases cost more than twice as much per share as the 2025 ones, while the stock trades at 45.68 times forward earnings10.

The first quarter's purchases were cheaper: 1.8 million shares at an average of $72011. In the second quarter the company bought 2.5 million shares for $2.3 billion12, at a higher price again, as the stock rose toward its high of $1,195.9413.

The average buyback price is the figure to follow. If GE Vernova keeps buying at over 45 times forward earnings while free cash flow falls back toward EBITDA, it will be spending customer deposits on its own shares at the top.

Moat trajectory: Holding steady

Shares outstanding down 3.5% since end-2024; authorization $10bn.

The number that tests this moat
Reported
Shares outstanding, latest quarter
266.3M (30 June 2026), from 275.9M at end-2024

The effect of buybacks; purchases at rising prices while free cash flow normalises would destroy value.

Source: GE Vernova Form 10-Q, Q2 2026 ↗
⚠ Threats to the moat
⚠ THREAT 01
Buying Back at 45 Times Forward Earnings
GE Vernova is buying back stock at 45 times forward earnings with cash that is largely customer deposits.
References
  1. ReportedIt repurchased 8.2 million shares in 2025 at an average price of $406, $3,316 million, and 4.3 million more in the first half of 2026 at an average of $854.
    GE Vernova fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results release (Form 8-K exhibit) - orders, free cash flow, capital returns, credit upgrades, the gas turbine backlog and the outlook through 2028 including Prolec GE. — Q4 2025 · publ. 28 January 2026 · source ↗
  2. ReportedIt repurchased 8.2 million shares in 2025 at an average price of $406, $3,316 million, and 4.3 million more in the first half of 2026 at an average of $854.
    GE Vernova Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 - financial statements: income, balance sheet, cash flow, taxes and capital returns. — FY2025 · publ. 29 January 2026 · source ↗
  3. ReportedIt repurchased 8.2 million shares in 2025 at an average price of $406, $3,316 million, and 4.3 million more in the first half of 2026 at an average of $854.
    GE Vernova second-quarter 2026 results release (Form 8-K exhibit) - orders, revenue, segment EBITDA, free cash flow, the gas turbine backlog and slot reservations, data-centre orders and raised 2026 guidance - second-quarter results, orders, backlog and gas turbine slots. — Q2 2026 · publ. 22 July 2026 · source ↗
  4. ReportedShares outstanding fell from 275,880,314 at the end of 2024 to 266,333,581 in June 2026, 3.5%.
    GE Vernova Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 - financial statements: income, balance sheet, cash flow, taxes and capital returns. — FY2025 · publ. 29 January 2026 · source ↗
  5. ReportedShares outstanding fell from 275,880,314 at the end of 2024 to 266,333,581 in June 2026, 3.5%.
    GE Vernova Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 30 June 2026 - the balance sheet, contract liabilities, borrowings, remaining performance obligations, orders and sales in units, business-unit revenue and the Prolec GE acquisition. — Q2 2026 · publ. 22 July 2026 · source ↗
  6. Moat Explorer calcShares outstanding fell from 275,880,314 at the end of 2024 to 266,333,581 in June 2026, 3.5%.
    Moat Explorer calculation from GE Vernova's Forms 10-K and 10-Q, the Form 10 information statement, results releases and market data ($ millions unless stated). Equipment gross profit = sales of equipment less cost of equipment: 18,831 - 18,654 = 177 (2021, 0.9%); 15,819 - 16,972 = -1,153 (2022, -7.3%); 18,258 - 18,705 = -447 (2023, -2.4%); 18,952 - 17,989 = 963 (2024, 5.1%); 20,934 - 18,759 = 2,175 (2025, 10.4%). Services gross profit: 14,175 - 9,407 = 4,768 (2021, 33.6%); 13,835 - 9,224 = 4,611 (2022, 33.3%); 14,981 - 9,716 = 5,265 (2023, 35.1%); 15,983 - 10,861 = 5,122 (2024, 32.0%); 17,134 - 11,774 = 5,360 (2025, 31.3%). Services share of gross profit 5,360 / 7,535 = 71.1% (2025); 5,122 / 6,085 = 84.2% (2024); 5,265 / 4,818 = 109% (2023). Services share of revenue 17,134 / 38,068 = 45.0%. Power services share of Power revenue 13,081 / 19,767 = 66.2%. Gas Power share of revenue 16,006 / 38,068 = 42.0%. Gas turbines under long-term service agreements 1,800 / 7,000 = 26%; onshore wind turbines under service agreements 24,000 / 59,000 = 41%. RPO: services share 85,993 / 150,238 = 57.2%; services RPO growth 85,993 / 75,976 - 1 = 13.2%; equipment RPO growth 64,245 / 43,047 - 1 = 49.2%; total RPO growth 150,238 / 119,023 - 1 = 26.2%; Power share of RPO at 30 June 2026 111,649 / 176,284 = 63.3%; Power equipment RPO 24,707 / 12,461 = 1.98 times; 39,261 / 24,707 - 1 = 59%. Electrification RPO 34,667 / 8,971 = 3.9 times (2022-2025); 34,667 / 9,642 = 3.6 years of 2025 segment revenue. Services RPO beyond 15 years 100% - 91% = 9%. Gas turbine backlog plus slot reservations at 30 June 2026 53 + 63 = 116 GW; 116 / 20 GW a year = 5.8 years of output. Gas turbine orders 173 / 112 - 1 = 54% (units), 29.8 / 20.2 - 1 = 48% (GW). Operating cash flow less the increase in contract liabilities 4,987 - 8,019 = -3,032 (2025). Net cash = cash less borrowings: 8,848 - 289 = 8,559 (31 Dec 2025); 13,120 - 2,849 = 10,271 (30 June 2026). Contract liabilities / equity attributable 39,944 / 11,957 = 3.3 times; contract liabilities less cash 39,944 - 13,120 = 26,824. Geography 2025: US 17,341 / 38,068 = 45.6%; US growth 17,341 / 12,467 - 1 = 39.1% (2023-2025); US share of pre-tax income 78 / 2,828 = 2.8%. Wind segment EBITDA 2021-2025 176 - 1,710 - 1,033 - 588 - 598 = -3,753; Offshore Wind contract losses 637 + 1,005 + 379 = 2,021 (2023-2025); Offshore Wind revenue 652 / 1,377 - 1 = -52.7%; Wind orders in units 854 / 2,290 - 1 = -62.7% (2023-2025); Wind revenue 9,110 / 9,701 - 1 = -6.1%; H1 2026 Wind EBITDA margin -657 / 3,459 = -19.0%. Power share of 2025 segment EBITDA 2,902 / (2,902 - 598 + 1,433) = 77.7%. Segment revenue growth 2025: Power 19,767 / 18,127 - 1 = 9.0%; Electrification 9,642 / 7,550 - 1 = 27.7%; revenue 38,068 / 34,935 - 1 = 9.0%. Growth 2021-2025 a year: Electrification (9,642 / 5,292)^(1/4) - 1 = 16.2%; Power (19,767 / 16,729)^(1/4) - 1 = 4.3%; Electrification 2023-2025 9,642 / 6,378 - 1 = 51.2%. Grid Solutions 6,620 / 3,226 - 1 = 105% (2021-2025); Nuclear Power 1,018 / 699 - 1 = 45.6% (2022-2025); Steam Power 1,937 / 3,270 - 1 = -40.8% (2021-2025). Electrification segment assets 21,000 / 9,017 = 2.3 times. Return on invested capital: invested capital = total assets less current liabilities less cash: 63,016 - 40,972 - 8,848 = 13,196 (2025); 51,485 - 31,685 - 8,205 = 11,595 (2024); average 12,395.5. NOPAT at an assumed 21% tax rate on operating income 1,388 x 0.79 = 1,096.5, ROIC 1,096.5 / 12,395.5 = 8.8% (2025); 2024 on year-end capital 471 x 0.79 / 11,595 = 3.2%. Adjusted basis: (adjusted EBITDA 3,196 - depreciation and amortization 847) x 0.79 = 1,855.7, / 12,395.5 = 15.0%. Capex / revenue 1,277 / 38,068 = 3.4%; capex growth 1,277 / 744 - 1 = 72% (2023-2025). 2025 capital returns 275 + 3,316 = 3,591. Average 2025 buyback price 3,316 / 8.2M shares = about $404. Shares outstanding 266,333,581 / 275,880,314 - 1 = -3.5% (Dec 2024 - June 2026). Dividends 2025 4 x $0.25 = $1.00. Valuation: P/E = market value / net income: 90.60 / 1.552 = 58.4 (2024); 177.33 / 4.884 = 36.3 (2025); trailing 255.05 / 9.529 = 26.8; 2025 excluding the $2.9bn tax benefit 4,884 - 2,900 = 1,984, 177.33 / 1.984 = 89. P/S 90.60 / 34.935 = 2.59; 177.33 / 38.068 = 4.66; 255.05 / 41.367 = 6.17. Trailing revenue 38,068 + 20,442 - 17,143 = 41,367; trailing net income 4,884 + 5,413 - 768 = 9,529; trailing net income less the Prolec gain 9,529 - 3,992 = 5,537. Forward EPS 957.63 / 45.68 = 20.96. Analyst target 1,237.34 / 957.63 - 1 = 29%. Price 957.63 / 1,195.94 - 1 = -20% from the 52-week high. 2026 guidance: revenue midpoint (45.5 + 46.5) / 2 = 46.0bn; adjusted EBITDA at 12%-14% of 46.0bn = 5.5-6.4bn; free cash flow midpoint 12.0bn; H1 revenue 20,442 / 46,000 = 44%; H1 free cash flow 9,897 / 12,000 = 82%. Wind 2026 EBITDA loss about 400 against 2025 598. Services RPO / 2025 services revenue 85,993 / 17,134 = 5.0 times; services RPO beyond five years 100% - 52% = 48%. Electrification orders / revenue 19.3 / 9.642 = 2.0 times; Electrification services / revenue 2,263 / 9,642 = 23.5%; Electrification 2026 EBITDA at 18% of 14.5bn = 2.61bn. Prolec gain / trailing net income 3,992 / 9,529 = 42%. 2025 tax benefit / net income 2,900 / 4,884 = 59%. Gas turbine market share 64.5 - 18.5 = 46.0 for the other four of the top five. Share price 957.63 / 327.79 = 2.9 times. Cumulative segment EBITDA 2021-2025: Power 1,407 + 1,655 + 1,722 + 2,268 + 2,902 = 9,954; Electrification -461 - 164 + 234 + 679 + 1,433 = 1,721. Adjusted EBITDA margin 807 / 33,239 = 2.4% (2023); 2,035 / 34,935 = 5.8% (2024). Power share of total revenue 19,767 / 38,068 = 51.9%; Gas Power share of Power 16,006 / 19,767 = 81%; Nuclear share of Power 1,018 / 19,767 = 5.2%; Grid Solutions share of Electrification 6,620 / 9,642 = 68.7%. Electrification revenue 9,642 / 5,076 - 1 = 90% (2022-2025). Wind revenue 9,110 / 11,539 - 1 = -21% (2021-2025); Wind share of revenue 9,110 / 38,068 = 23.9%. Segment EBITDA of the three segments 2,902 - 598 + 1,433 = 3,737. Q2 2026 orders / 2025 orders 24.2 / 59.3 = 41%. Electrification and other RPO at 30 June 2026 176,284 - 111,649 - 20,388 = 44,247. Power equipment RPO 39,261 / 12,461 = 3.2 times (Dec 2024 - June 2026). 2026 guidance midpoints: revenue 41.5 (Dec 2025), 44.5 (Jan 2026), 45.0 (Apr 2026), 46.0 (Jul 2026); free cash flow 4.75, 5.25, 7.0, 12.0. Market value 255.05 / 35.71 = 7.1 times the when-issued value. R&D / revenue 1,197 / 38,068 = 3.1%. Trailing revenue growth over 2024 41,367 / 34,935 - 1 = 18%. Power orders share 32.8 / 59.3 = 55%. Wind services / Power services 1,859 / 13,081 = 14%; onshore wind units / gas turbine units 59,000 / 7,000 = 8.4. Power services RPO / Power services revenue 69,841 / 13,081 = 5.3 years. Electrification H1 2026 EBITDA margin 1,200 / 6,597 = 18.2%; Power H1 2026 1,842 / 10,449 = 17.6%. Return on equity 2025 4,884 / ((11,178 + 9,546) / 2 = 10,362) = 47.1%; excluding the tax benefit (4,884 - 2,900) / 10,362 = 19.1%. Q2 2026 capex implied by operating cash flow less free cash flow 5,492 - 5,107 = 385. SG&A / revenue 5,360 / 29,654 = 18.1% (2022); 4,949 / 38,068 = 13.0% (2025). Cost of services growth 11,774 - 9,716 = 2,058; services revenue growth 17,134 - 14,981 = 2,153 (2023-2025). Electrification 2026 guide without Prolec (14.5 - 3.1) / 9.642 - 1 = 18%; (15.0 - 3.1) / 9.642 - 1 = 23%. HA installed base growth 51 / 126 = 40%. Contract liabilities / receivables at end-2025 25,774 / 9,803 = 2.6 times; receivables / revenue 9,803 / 38,068 = 26%. Backlog target progress (176.3 - 135) / (200 - 135) = 64%. Heavy-duty orders Q2 2026 / 2025 52 / 110 = 47%. Average capacity per gas turbine sold 15.3 / 81 = 0.19 GW (2025); 11.1 / 101 = 0.11 GW (2022). Equity / contract liabilities 11,957 / 39,944 = 30%. Cost of services growth 2,058 / 9,716 = 21%; services revenue growth 2,153 / 14,981 = 14% (2023-2025). Gas turbine orders / sales 29.8 / 15.3 = 1.9 (2025). Electrification share of guided 2026 revenue 14.75 / 46.0 = 32%; of 2025 revenue 9,642 / 38,068 = 25%. Electrification share of 2025 orders 19.3 / 59.3 = 33%. Aeroderivative orders 63 / 44 - 1 = 43% - gross margins, revenue mix and geography. — 2021-2026 · publ. September 2026 · source ↗
    Method: Arithmetic on figures reported in GE Vernova's Forms 10-K and 10-Q, the Form 10 information statement, results releases and market data; operands shown in the source line. The 21% tax rate used for NOPAT is the US federal statutory rate, an assumption, because the 2025 reported tax line is a benefit.
  7. ReportedThe policy is stated: the company aims at "returning at least one third of cash generation to shareholders".
    GE Vernova 2025 Investor Update press release - multi-year outlook raised, dividend doubled, buyback authorization raised to $10 billion, backlog target of about $200 billion by 2028 and Electrification backlog doubling. — December 2025 · publ. 9 December 2025 · source ↗
  8. ReportedThe buyback authorization was raised to $10 billion from $6 billion in December 2025, and the quarterly dividend doubled to $0.50.
    GE Vernova 2025 Investor Update press release - multi-year outlook raised, dividend doubled, buyback authorization raised to $10 billion, backlog target of about $200 billion by 2028 and Electrification backlog doubling. — December 2025 · publ. 9 December 2025 · source ↗
  9. ReportedThe buyback authorization was raised to $10 billion from $6 billion in December 2025, and the quarterly dividend doubled to $0.50.
    GE Vernova fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results release (Form 8-K exhibit) - orders, free cash flow, capital returns, credit upgrades, the gas turbine backlog and the outlook through 2028 including Prolec GE. — Q4 2025 · publ. 28 January 2026 · source ↗
  10. ReportedThe 2026 purchases cost more than twice as much per share as the 2025 ones, while the stock trades at 45.68 times forward earnings.
    GE Vernova (GEV) statistics - trailing P/E 27.41, forward P/E 45.68, P/S 6.17, P/B 21.33, 266.33M shares, enterprise value $246.05B. — September 2026 · publ. 25 September 2026 · source ↗
  11. ReportedThe first quarter's purchases were cheaper: 1.8 million shares at an average of $720.
    GE Vernova first-quarter 2026 results release (Form 8-K exhibit) - gas turbine backlog and slot reservations, M&A gains, data-centre orders and the first 2026 guidance raise. — Q1 2026 · publ. 22 April 2026 · source ↗
  12. ReportedIn the second quarter the company bought 2.5 million shares for $2.3 billion, at a higher price again, as the stock rose toward its high of $1,195.94.
    GE Vernova second-quarter 2026 results release (Form 8-K exhibit) - orders, revenue, segment EBITDA, free cash flow, the gas turbine backlog and slot reservations, data-centre orders and raised 2026 guidance - second-quarter results, orders, backlog and gas turbine slots. — Q2 2026 · publ. 22 July 2026 · source ↗
  13. ReportedIn the second quarter the company bought 2.5 million shares for $2.3 billion, at a higher price again, as the stock rose toward its high of $1,195.94.
    GE Vernova (GEV) market data - $957.63 at the close on 25 September 2026, market cap $255.05B, 52-week range $530.16-$1,195.94, dividend $2.00, 37 analysts with a $1,237.34 target. — September 2026 · publ. 25 September 2026 · source ↗
Sources
Generated September 28, 2026