TOP STORIES
JOHNSON & JOHNSON EARNINGS RISE 35%
Johnson & Johnson earns $4.73 billion, or $1.64 a share, led
by continued sales growth in its pharmaceutical business. Revenue
increased 3.5% to $18.12 billion. It also lifted its EPS estimate
range for the year.
U.S. CONSUMER PRICES RISE 0.2% IN MARCH
The consumer-price index advanced a seasonally adjusted 0.2% in
March from the prior month. Core prices, which strip out volatile
food and energy costs, also rose 0.2%. Both gauges were expected to
increase by 0.1%.
UKRAINE SAYS MILITARY OPERATION IN EAST HAS BEGUN
A Ukrainian military operation to wrest control of cities in the
east from pro-Russian militants has begun, Ukraine's acting
president said, as Russia warned the use of force could derail
international crisis talks.
YELLEN SEES ROOM FOR STRONGER CAPITAL RULES
Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen said the largest and
most complex financial institutions may be able to strengthen their
balance sheets further by raising more capital than regulators have
required to date.
COKE'S PROFIT DECLINES THOUGH VOLUMES IMPROVE
Coca-Cola's 1Q earnings fell to $1.62 billion, or 36c a share,
from $1.75 billion a year ago, though volumes edged up. Excluding
items, EPS came in at 44c. Coke's worldwide unit-case soda volumes
rose 2%, with flat volumes in North America. Shares up 2%.
U.S. STOCKS TRADE HIGHER
U.S. stocks gained at the open, extending the previous session's
broad rally, as upbeat earnings reports from blue-chip companies
helped offset disappointing regional manufacturing data.
ZEBRA TO BUY MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS' ENTERPRISE BUSINESS
Zebra Technologies made a bid to substantially expand its
business, agreeing to buy Motorola Solutions' enterprise business
for $3.45 billion in cash. Deal represents a large expansion for
Zebra, a barcode-printing and asset-tracking company.
CHARLES SCHWAB PROFIT RISES 58%
Charles Schwab's 1Q profit rose 58% to $326 million, or 24c a
share, helped by stronger trading revenue and asset-management
fees. Revenue climbed 15% to $1.48 billion. Results topped
expectations, and shares rose 2%.
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT APPROVES KEY BANKING RULES
The European Parliament gave its final approval to an array of
rules aimed at mending the EU's troubled financial sector and
winding down banks while sparing taxpayer money.
NY FED MANUFACTURING INDEX DROPS TO 1.29 IN APRIL, BELOW EXPECTATIONS
The Empire State's business conditions index slowed to 1.29 in
April, from 5.61 in March, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of
New York's Empire State Manufacturing Survey.
BLACKBERRY INVESTS IN HEALTH CARE IT STARTUP NANTHEALTH
BlackBerry Ltd. Tuesday said it made an unspecified investment
in NantHealth, a California-based health care IT startup, as part
of the companies' plan to collaborate on secure mobile
products.
======= DOW JONES NEWSWIRES ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARIES =======
The Wall Street Journal
GE RETHINKS THE 20-YEAR CEO
Jeff Immelt may give up leadership of General Electric sooner
than his expected 20-year tenure, as he and fellow directors
re-evaluate the right term for its chief executive, people familiar
with GE's thinking said.
Money Talks
BOE TRAPPED BY LOW CPI AND SOARING HOUSE PRICES
The Bank of England is on the horns of a serious dilemma:
inflation has tumbled while house prices have rocketed. The latter
puts in jeopardy its price stability remit, while the former risks
another destabilizing bubble.