GE HealthCare Technologies stock jumped after the company reported better-than-expected second-quarter earnings. Investors can breathe a sigh of relief amid a difficult year.

GE HealthCare on Wednesday announced earnings per share of $1.13 from sales of $5.3 billion. Wall Street was looking for $1.04 and $5.3 billion, respectively. A year ago, GE HealthCare reported earnings per share of $1.06 from sales of $5 billion.

Profit margins were better than expected and improved from first- quarter levels.

For 2026, GE HealthCare maintained guidance. It still expects sales growth of about 3.5% and earnings per share of about $4.90. Wall Street projects sales growth of more than 5%, but that figure includes foreign-currency benefits. Analysts project earnings per share of $4.88.

Shares were up 13% at $72.50 in premarket trading, while S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were up 0.2% and down 0.3%, respectively.

Orders helped too. Comparable orders grew 11.1% year over year, and orders exceeded quarterly revenue. The company's backlog is up to $23.9 billion.

"We delivered record orders and backlog in the second quarter, with [order] growth across every segment," said CEO Peter Arduini in a news release. "Our continued investment in precision innovation is expanding our addressable markets, strengthening our competitive position and supporting durable short- and long-term growth."

Earnings are a relief. Coming into Wednesday trading, GE HealthCare stock was down more than 20% year to date.

Falling earnings growth has been a big reason. At the start of the year, analysts projected earnings per share of nearly $5. Higher costs for everything, including memory chips, have weighed on results.