Major US stock indexes rose slightly, as the appreciation of shares of the financial and technological sectors offset the drop in prices of UnitedHealth (UNH).

The declared UnitedHealth (UNH) profit at the level of $ 3.73 per share was higher than the average forecast of analysts at $ 3.60. The revenue of the insurance company also surpassed market forecasts, and it raised its full-year outlook against the background of strengthening its Optum unit, as well as increasing the number of health care plan participants. Despite solid results, UNH shares fell by almost 4% due to concerns about a possible revision of the payment system.

The stock market also received support from the "blue" comments of the President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Eric Rosengren, who said that the central bank currently does not need to adjust monetary policy. He noted: "We must continue to monitor what is happening with financial stability."

Investors were also focusing on US data. According to the Fed report, industrial production fell in March by 0.1% after rising 0.1% in February. Economists had forecast a growth of 0.2%. According to the report, manufacturing output did not change in March after declining in both January and February, while utility production increased by 0.2% after a sharp increase of 3.7%.

A report published by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) showed a modest improvement in confidence of American home builders in April. According to the report, the housing market index in April rose to 63 from 62 in March, while the growth was in line with expectations.

Most of the components of DOW finished trading in positive territory (21 out of 30). The growth leader was the shares of The Boeing Company (BA; + 1.65%). Outsider were shares UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH; -3.97%).

Most sectors of the S & P recorded an increase. The financial sector grew the most (+ 0.6%). The largest decline was shown by the health sector (-1.9%).

At the time of closing:

Dow 26,452.66 +67.89 +0.26%

S & P 500 2,907.06 +1.48 +0.05%

Nasdaq 100 8,000.23 +24.21 + 0.30%

U.S. stock-index rose moderately on Tuesday, as market participants cheered solid quarterly results from UnitedHealth Group (UNH) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ).

Global Stocks:

(company / ticker / price / change ($/%) / volume)

Cisco Systems (CSCO) target raised to $62 from $58 at Goldman

DowDuPont (DWDP) downgraded to Sector Perform from Top Pick at RBC Capital Mkts; target lowered to $40

Bank of America (BAC) reported Q1 FY 2019 earnings of $0.70 per share (versus $0.62 in Q1 FY 2018), beating analysts’ consensus of $0.66.

The company’s quarterly revenues amounted to $23.004 bln (-0.4% y/y), missing analysts’ consensus estimate of $23.241 bln.

BAC fell to $29.75 (-0.30%) in pre-market trading.

UnitedHealth (UNH) reported Q1 FY 2019 earnings of $3.73 per share (versus $3.04 in Q1 FY 2018), beating analysts’ consensus of $3.60.

The company’s quarterly revenues amounted to $60.300 bln (+9.2% y/y), beating analysts’ consensus estimate of $59.718 bln.

The company also issued raised guidance for FY 2019, projecting EPS of $14.50-14.75 from $14.40-14.70 versus analysts’ consensus estimate of $14.65.

UNH rose to $235.15 (+2.15%) in pre-market trading.

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) reported Q1 FY 2019 earnings of $2.10 per share (versus $2.06 in Q1 FY 2018), beating analysts’ consensus of $2.04.

The company’s quarterly revenues amounted to $20.021 bln (+0.10% y/y), beating analysts’ consensus estimate of $19.549 bln.

The company also reaffirmed guidance for FY 2019, projecting EPS of $8.53-8.63 (versus analysts’ consensus estimate of $8.59) and revenues of $80.4-81.2 bln (versus analysts’ consensus estimate of $81.17 bln).

JNJ rose to $137.93 (+1.03%) in pre-market trading.