JOHN STAPLETON

GM's crosstown rival, Ford Motor, said last week the shortage could lower its earnings by $1 billion to $2.5 billion this year. Here's what GM reported versus what Wall Street expected, based on average analysts estimates compiled by Refinitiv. Adjusted earnings per share: $1.93 vs. $1.64 expected, based on average analysts' estimates compiled by Refinitiv. The automaker reported pretax adjusted earnings of $3.7 billion for the fourth quarter, up from $105 million a year earlier. Correction: The labor strike stopped GM vehicle production during the fourth quarter of 2019.

General Motors on Thursday reported third-quarter earnings that beat Wall Street expectations, thanks to its highly profitable trucks and SUVs in North America. GM CEO Mary Barra said the fourth quarter isn't expected to be as strong as the third quarter. She downplayed the possibility that the uncertain outcome of the presidential election could hurt sales for the rest of the year. "When we look at the election, we think the extended length of time to finalize the vote count was anticipated given the unique circumstances coming into this election," Barra said during a media call Thursday morning. "There are a lot of moving pieces right but we're hopeful that we'll continue to have a strong recovery that we've seen in the United States and in China."

The chief financial officer at General Motors, Dhivya Suryadevara, is trading Detroit for Silicon Valley in a surprise departure to join Jack Dorsey's startup, Stripe. She has helped the company strengthen our balance sheet, improve our cost structure, focus on cash generation and drive the right investments for our future. Stripe is maintaining a $2 billion balance sheet, more fortress-like than besieged, as so many major companies have become during the COVID-19 crisis. Adding to Stripes client roster this year alone are the companies Caviar, Coupa, Just Eat, Mattel, NBC, and Paid. I really enjoy leading complex, large-scale businesses and I hope to use my skills to help accelerate Stripes already steep growth trajectory.General Motors named John Stapleton, GM North America chief financial officer, as acting global chief financial officer, effective Saturday.