BUSINESS BRIEFING / INVESTING

General Electric Co. said it would pay a planned 31-cent dividend to shareholders but would evaluate dividend payments for the second half of the year as uncertainty grows over the long-term health of the economy and GE’s ability to maintain its top credit rating.

The move comes as analysts continue to predict that the conglomerate will be forced to eventually cut its payments as it tries to stabilize its ailing lending unit during a deep recession that is hitting its industrial businesses hard.