If all investors did was see that General Motors' (NYSE: GM) net income plunged 19% during the first quarter, down to $2.4 billion from the prior year, you might think it was a rough quarter. That would, of course, miss the fact that the decline was driven by a "Voluntary Separation Program" and that Detroit automaker beat expectations and also raised full-year guidance. 

Further, investors need to understand that declining net income wasn't a sign of poor vehicle pricing, bad inventory management, or lack of demand; it was rather a sign of GM's employee buyout cost -- which is also a part of business when avoiding layoffs.

Continue reading

Source Fool.com