The SEC investigation disclosed on January 24 by General Electric “significantly elevates” the company’s risks, Deutsche Bank analyst John Inch tells investors in a research note. GE is being investigated for both its revenue recognition and controls for long-term service agreements as well as the process that led to its insurance reserve increase and Q4 insurance reserve charge, Inch points out. The analyst believes the scope of the Enforcement Division’s investigation “could readily broaden to other areas.” General Electric was not obligated to disclose the investigation but likely did so having estimated that its potential impact might be significant, Inch writes, citing his understanding of the company’s position. As such, the analyst thinks GE’s verbal disclosure of the investigation “could portend an extensive review that might last for an extended period.” Inch points out that long-term service agreements drove $2.2B of GE’s net income in 2016, equating to 24c of earnings per share or 16% of its total adjust earnings for the year. The analyst has a Sell rating on GE with a $15 price target. The stock closed Friday down 5c to $16.13.