GM earnings rose sharply in the third quarter as North American operations and stronger cash generation offset weaker international results. General Motors also authorized a new $20 billion share-repurchase program after completing its prior $6 billion authorization.

GM earnings strengthen on North American operations

General Motors reported revenue of $50.02 billion for the quarter ended September 30, up 2.9% year over year. Net income attributable to stockholders reached $3.34 billion, compared with $1.33 billion one year earlier.

Adjusted EBIT increased 21.6% to $4.11 billion, while adjusted diluted EPS rose 32.2% to $3.70. GM North America generated $3.59 billion of adjusted EBIT, a 43.4% increase, but GM International adjusted EBIT fell 87.7% to $28 million.

GM Q3 2026 year-over-year growth

Revenue — 2.9%

Adjusted EBIT — 21.6%

Adjusted automotive free cash flow — 40.0%

Source: General Motors Q3 2026 results, October 20, 2026. Bars show reported year-over-year percentage growth.

Buyback follows a sustained reduction in share count

GM completed the $6 billion repurchase program announced in January before approving the new authorization. The company had 849 million shares outstanding on September 30, down from 904 million at the end of 2025 and 1.2 billion at the end of 2023.

The board also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.18 per share, payable December 17 to shareholders of record on December 4. Chief Executive Mary Barra said in a shareholder letter that software and services deferred revenue should approach $7.5 billion this year.

Cash-flow outlook rises while profit range narrows

The automaker narrowed 2026 adjusted EBIT guidance to $14.5 billion–$15.5 billion from $14 billion–$16 billion. It also tightened adjusted EPS guidance to $12.75–$13.75, compared with the previous $12–$14 range.

Adjusted automotive free-cash-flow guidance increased to $11.5 billion–$12.5 billion from $9.5 billion–$11.5 billion. Investors can compare GM’s cash conversion with the latest GE Aerospace guidance, 3M earnings update and RTX backlog report.

Management’s next test is sustaining North American profitability while launching redesigned pickups and absorbing inflationary pressure. The wider buyback authorization supports per-share metrics, but operating results and free cash flow remain the core measures of execution.

Image credit: Michael Satterfield/Unsplash.

Elsy Kanana is a financial and cryptocurrency journalist at FusionMarketNews, covering digital assets, blockchain technology, financial markets, and emerging fintech trends. Her reporting focuses on market movements, regulatory developments, and on-chain analytics, delivering clear, data-driven insights to readers worldwide.