The brighter outlook "is a sign of progress, a sign of stability here, but you're not going to hear us trying to extrapolate too much too soon," Culp said in an interview. "To the extent that you saw a lot of negative surprises at the back half of last year and fewer this year, while it's early and we're far from perfect, I do think that is a sign." The results -- boosted by quarterly earnings above Wall Street's expectations -- mark the second straight quarter of improved performance under Culp, who set a low bar for himself by slashing the dividend and warning of a weak outlook in power equipment after taking the reins in October. The new CEO has sought to stabilize cash flow and reduce debt to stem one of the worst slumps in the company's 127-year history. "Things are turning," said Nicholas Heymann, an analyst with William Blair & Co. While GE still has more work to do, especially in nursing the power business back to health, the latest moves suggest Culp is "comfortable in his own skin right now.