Reuters Before the Bell: UnitedHealth beats first-quarter profit estimates, raises 2019 forecast

Click to View in Browser Tuesday, April 16, 2019 UnitedHealth beats first-quarter profit estimates, raises 2019 forecast UnitedHealth Group Inc reported a first-quarter profit above estimates and raised its 2019 earnings forecast, driven by strength in its pharmacy benefit management business and higher enrollment for its health plans. Stocks march to new highs as European volatility vanishes Stock markets rose on Tuesday to new six-month highs after reassuring data about the health of China's economy and economic sentiment in Germany helped investors brush aside disappointing bank earnings. BlackRock quarterly profit beats, assets under management top $6 trillion BlackRock Inc, the world's largest asset manager, reported a better-than-expected first-quarter profit and garnered tens of billions of new investor cash as global financial markets rebounded from a volatile fourth quarter. Stock futures rise on boost from upbeat healthcare, bank results U.S. stock index futures inched higher on Tuesday, getting a lift from a clutch of upbeat quarterly reports from Bank of America, UnitedHealth and Johnson & Johnson. Bank of America profit tops estimates on growing loan book Bank of America Corp reported a better-than-expected rise in quarterly profit on Tuesday, as a growing loan book and cost cuts made up for a drop in revenue in investment banking. J&J beats estimates on pharma strength, raises sales forecast Johnson & Johnson beat quarterly profit estimates on Tuesday and raised its adjusted sales growth forecast for the year, driven by demand for its treatment for psoriasis and Crohn's disease and cancer drugs Darzalex and Imbruvica. Oil slips to $71, hit by talk of higher OPEC+ production Brent oil slipped to around $71 a barrel on Tuesday, pressured by expectations of higher U.S. inventories and concern about Russia's willingness to stick with OPEC-led supply cuts. Caesars names Anthony Rodio as CEO U.S. casino operator Caesars Entertainment Corp, which has been under pressure from activist investor Carl Icahn to sell itself, on Tuesday named Anthony Rodio as its chief executive officer. Foxconn's Gou says may run for Taiwan president, step back from daily business Foxconn's Chairman Terry Gou said on Tuesday he is considering whether to run for Taiwan's 2020 presidential election, a day after Reuters reported the tycoon planned to step down from the world's largest contract manufacturer. Foxconn chairman to withdraw from daily operations, considers presidential run Foxconn's Chairman Terry Gou said on Tuesday he is considering contesting Taiwan's 2020 presidential election and the company said he would withdraw from the daily operations of the world's largest contract manufacturer. Related Video Sell in May? Rotate stocks, don't retreat, says Sam Stovall Best Buy CFO to replace Joly as CEO Make sense of the market with highlights of valuable financial information and reports along with compelling investment insights. Register Today The latest Reuters articles on M&A, IPOs, private equity, hedge funds and regulatory updates delivered to your inbox each day. Register Today » » MORE NEWSLETTERS - 3 Times Square New York, NY 10036 USA © Copyright 2019 Thomson Reuters Ensure delivery of Reuters Newsmails, add newsletters@email.reuters.com to your address book. Subscribe to other Reuters newsletters. Unsubscribe from this newsletter. Follow us on Twitter Friend us on Facebook