US industrial conglomerate General Electric (GE) is on track to launch three independent, investment-grade companies, as it posted higher second quarter earnings and surprised analysts on Tuesday. The firm reported adjusted profits of $1.66 billion for the quarter, an 81% boost on the $918 million profit reported for the same quarter last year. Much of the credit was put on a boost in aerospace sales The company reported a net loss attributable to common shareowners for the quarter of $0.78 per share, narrower than $1.08 per share in the previous year quarter. Loss from continuing operations a…