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Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Earnings lift Europe shares, Wall Street set to open lower

LONDON (Reuters) - Forecast-beating company earnings and signs of underlying economic strength pushed European shares higher on Tuesday while tech stocks lifted Asian stocks to two-year highs as investors shrugged off sub-par Chinese factory activity data.

Fed set to leave interest rates unchanged, may hint at June hike

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Reserve is expected to hold interest rates steady at its meeting this week as it pauses to parse more economic data but may hint it is on track for an increase in June.

Merck profit tops estimates as margins rise; Co raises 2017 forecast

(Reuters) - Merck & Co Inc reported a better-than-expected quarterly profit, helped by higher gross margins, and the drugmaker also raised its revenue and profit forecasts for 2017.

Pfizer revenue misses estimates as top drugs disappoint

(Reuters) - Pfizer Inc , the largest U.S. drugmaker, reported quarterly revenue that missed estimates as sales of its key drugs fell short of expectations.

Health insurer Aetna's adjusted profit breezes past estimates

(Reuters) - Aetna Inc reported an adjusted quarterly profit on Tuesday that blew past estimates, helped primarily by strength in its commercial unit even as the U.S. health insurer continued to face pressure in its Obamacare business.

Drugstore chain CVS reports better-than-expected profit

(Reuters) - Drugstore chain and pharmacy benefits manager CVS Health Corp reported a higher-than-expected quarterly profit, helped by demand for high-margin specialty pharmacy services.

Taking a Toll: How Japan Post's big global bet unraveled

TOKYO/SYDNEY (Reuters) - In February 2015, bankers working on Japan's biggest IPO in three decades woke to news that left them shaken. Their client had just closed a multi-billion dollar deal - but had kept them firmly out of the loop.

AIG's investors, awaiting CEO plan, uneasy ahead of results

(Reuters) - For nearly two months, American International Group Inc has planned to replace its chief executive but a successor has yet to be named, creating a void that has stoked investor concerns about the insurance company's future.

Dow, Dupont planned merger gets conditional nod from China

BEIJING (Reuters) - China has conditionally approved the proposed merger between Dow Chemical Co and Dupont , the country's Commerce Ministry said on Tuesday, a step forward for the deal whose closing has been repeatedly delayed by regulatory hurdles.

U.S. lawmakers to grill United Airlines on passenger removal

WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - United Airlines Inc executives will visit Capitol Hill on Tuesday to face lawmakers' questions about the forcible removal of a passenger on an overbooked flight last month, an incident that provoked international outrage.