Aetna Boosts Profit Outlook
Aetna boosted its profit outlook for the year again as it posted
better-than-expected earnings during first three months of the
year. It expects $7.20 to $7.40 a share in earnings for 2015, up
from its previous call for at least $7.
BP Profit Hit by Lower Oil Prices
BP reported a fall in first-quarter profit, giving the first
glimpse of how low prices through the beginning of 2015 affected
the world's biggest oil companies.
Santander Profit Boosted by New Loans, Fees
Banco Santander said first-quarter net profit rose 32% on higher
fees and stronger lending in the bank's European consumer finance
and Latin American units.
Standard Chartered Considering Move From U.K.
Standard Chartered said a sharp rise in the levy it pays to the
British government on its global balance sheet could prompt it to
leave the U.K., but that it hasn't started a formal review yet.
Total Profit Slides Despite Strong Output
Total said net profit in the first quarter fell 20%, as its
strongest production in a decade mitigated the effect of the
collapse in oil prices.
Best Buy to Accept Apple Pay
Best Buy said it would join the growing list of retailers
accepting Apple Pay this year, undercutting a merchant-led group
that had hoped to beat Apple with its own mobile-payment
system.
Merck Raises Earnings Outlook
Merck raised its earnings guidance for the year, despite the
negative impact of the stronger dollar, as its first-quarter
results declined less than expected. Shares rose 4% premarket.
Bristol-Myers Reports Higher Sales
Bristol-Myers Squibb's 1Q revenue rose 6% to $4.04 billion on
stronger sales of key drugs, including cancer immunotherapies
Yervoy and Opdivo. For the year, it raised the lower end of its EPS
estimate by a nickel and now expects $1.60-$1.70. Shares up 2%
premarket.
Pfizer Trims Outlook on Stronger Dollar
Pfizer trimmed its full-year outlook amid a stronger U.S. dollar
and weaker euro, although the pharmaceutical giant posted
better-than-expected 1Q results on the strength of its new
products. Revenue fell to $10.86 billion. Shares up 1% early.
Ford Profit Down on International Markets
Ford Motor's 1Q net income fell 7% as profitability in North
America and Asia was offset by losses in Europe and South America.
Revenue totaled $33.9 billion for the quarter, down 6% from a year
ago. Shares down 1% premarket.
Daimler Profit Jumps as Mercedes Sales Rise
German car maker Daimler confirmed its outlook for significant
growth this year after first-quarter profit nearly doubled, boosted
by sales of Mercedes-Benz cars and Freightliner trucks.
Whirlpool Misses Earnings Expectations
Whirlpool reported a first-quarter profit that missed analysts'
estimates and reduced its full-year outlook as adverse currency
effects and weaker demand in Brazil cut into sales. Shares down 3%
premarket.
Philips Profit Slumps as Costs Bite
Philips posted a 28% fall in net profit as a result of costs
related to the separation of its lighting activities, even as it
recorded a rise in sales.
Iron Mountain Agrees to Buy Recall Holdings
Iron Mountain said it reached an agreement in principle to buy
Australian peer Recall Holdings for about $2 billion in cash and
stock, after its earlier bid for the document-management and
data-storage company was rejected as too low.
McGraw Hill Financial's Profit Tops Expectations
McGraw Hill Financial posted a stronger-than-expected profit in
its first quarter as all its units logged revenue growth despite
currency headwinds.
Swedbank Net Profit Rises
Swedish lender Swedbank Tuesday criticized the Swedish central
bank's decision to drive interest rates into negative territory as
it reported a 9% rise in first quarter net profit, driven by higher
net interest income and commissions.
Lackluster Avon Explores Makeover
Although Avon is one of the biggest direct sellers of beauty
products and relies heavily on personal relationships, it has
lagged behind in developing an online strategy and hasn't
capitalized on the opportunities of social media.