GE Poised to Tap $57 Billion Overseas Cash in Alstom Deal

General Electric Co. can dip into the $57 billion of cash it has amassed overseas to buy France’s Alstom SA in its biggest acquisition ever, a person with knowledge of the matter said.

GE is in discussions to pay more than $13 billion for the French builder of trains and power plants, people with knowledge of the matter said yesterday. Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Immelt will be able to tap GE’s foreign cash reserves to finance the purchase, according to one of the people.