Novartis Raises Forecast After Profit Beats Estimates

Novartis AG raised its outlook for the year after profit beat estimates in the first quarter, driven by medicines for breast cancer, multiple sclerosis and psoriasis.

Novartis predicted that core operating profit would grow by a low double-digit percentage, with sales increasing at a high-single digit pace. In January it gave a broader growth band. Core operating income rose 23% to $5.58 billion, the Swiss drugmaker said Tuesday, exceeding analysts’ estimates.