Major US stock indices rose markedly, as the results of a number of the largest companies exceeded expectations lowered concerns about a decline in corporate segment profits.

United Technologies (UTX) reported receiving adjusted earnings of $ 1.91 per share, which was $ 0.19 above the analysts' average forecast. The company's revenue also exceeded Wall Street forecasts, and it raised its forecast for key financial indicators for the entire year as a whole.

Profit Coca-Cola (KO) reached $ 0.48 per share, which was above the analysts' average forecast of $ 0.46. The company's quarterly revenue also exceeded market expectations, thanks to increased sales of water and new soft drinks.

Twitter quarterly earnings (TWTR) for the reporting period reached $ 0.37 per share, which was well above the analysts' average forecast of $ 0.15. The company's revenue also exceeded forecasts.

However, not all reports generated a positive reaction. Shares of Procter & Gamble (PG) fell by almost 3%, as the company's EBIT margin was lower than analysts had predicted, despite the fact that its quarterly results exceeded expectations.

Verizon (VZ) shares lost 2.1% of the cost, as the US wireless carrier lost more telephone subscribers than analysts had expected.

The focus of market participants was also the report of the US Department of Commerce, which showed that sales of new homes in the US unexpectedly jumped in March to the highest level in more than a year. New home sales rose by 4.5% in March, to an annual level of 692,000, after a 5.9% increase in February, to a revised level of 662,000. Continuing growth surprised economists who expected sales to fall to 650,000 from 667,000. originally reported in the previous month. With an unexpected increase, sales of new homes reached the highest annual rate since November 2017 (712,000).

In addition, Wall Street closely followed the dynamics of oil prices, as they reached their highest level this year, amid growing fears about global supply. This happened after the day before the United States announced its intention to reduce Iran’s oil exports to zero.

Most of the components of DOW finished trading in positive territory (21 out of 30). The growth leader was United Technologies Corp. (UTX; + 2.24%). The Procter & Gamble Co. shares turned out to be an outsider. (PG; -2.92%).

Almost all sectors of the S & P recorded an increase. The exception is the base materials sector (-0.1%). The health sector grew the most (+ 1.6%).

At the time of closing:

Dow 26,650.90 +139.85 +0.53%

S & P 500 2,933.46 +25.49 +0.88%

Nasdaq 100 8,119.40 +104.14 +1.30%

The U.S. Commerce Department announced on Tuesday that the sales of new single-family homes increased 4.5 percent m-o-m to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 692, 000 units in March, as lower mortgage costs helped buyers afford properties. That was the highest reading since November 2017.

Economists had forecast the sales pace of 650,000 last month.

February’s sales pace was revised down to 662,000 units from the originally reported 667,000 units.

According to the report, new home sales in the South, the largest area, rose 3.6 percent m-o-m in March to their highest level since July 2007. Sales in the Midwest climbed 17.6 percent m-o-m, while sales in the West jumped 6.7 percent m-o-m. Meanwhile, sales in the Northeast declined 22.2 percent m-o-m.

In y-o-y terms, new home sales recorded a 3.0 percent advance in March.

U.S. stock-index futures traded flat on Tuesday, as investors digested a fresh batch of earnings reports from some major U.S. companies.

Global Stocks:

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

UnitedHealth (UNH) initiated with a Neutral at UBS; target $238

Walt Disney (DIS) target raised to $168 from $144 at BofA/Merrill; also added to US 1 List

Verizon (VZ) reported Q1 FY 2019 earnings of $1.20 per share (versus $1.11 in Q1 FY 2018), beating analysts’ consensus of $1.16.

The company’s quarterly revenues amounted to $32.128 bln (+1.1% y/y), generally in line with analysts’ consensus estimate of $32.133 bln.

VZ rose to $58.80 (+0.74%) in pre-market trading.

United Tech (UTX) reported Q1 FY 2019 earnings of $1.91 per share (versus $1.77 in Q1 FY 2018), beating analysts’ consensus of $1.72.

The company’s quarterly revenues amounted to $18.365 bln (+20.5% y/y), beating analysts’ consensus estimate of $18.011 bln.

The company also issued in-line guidance for FY 2019, projecting EPS of $7.80-8.00 (compared to its prior guidance of $7.70-8.00 and analysts’ consensus estimate of $7.91) and revenues of $75.5-77.0 bln (unchanged from its prior guidance and versus analysts’ consensus estimate of $77.07 bln).

UTX rose to $142.40 (+4.01%) in pre-market trading.

Procter & Gamble (PG) reported Q1 FY 2019 earnings of $1.06 per share (versus $1.00 in Q1 FY 2018), beating analysts’ consensus of $1.04.

The company’s quarterly revenues amounted to $16.462 bln (+1.1% y/y), generally in line with analysts’ consensus estimate of $16.366 bln.

PG fell to $105.60 (-0.39%) in pre-market trading.

Twitter (TWTR) reported Q1 FY 2019 earnings of $0.37 per share (versus $0.16 in Q1 FY 2018), beating analysts’ consensus of $0.15.

The company’s quarterly revenues amounted to $0.787 bln (+18.3% y/y), beating analysts’ consensus estimate of $0.775 bln.

The company also issued in-line guidance for Q2, projecting Q2 revenues of $0.770-0.830 bln versus analysts’ consensus estimate of $0.818 bln.

TWTR rose to $36.78 (+6.95%) in pre-market trading.

Coca-Cola (KO) reported Q1 FY 2019 earnings of $0.48 per share (versus $0.47 in Q1 FY 2018), beating analysts’ consensus of $0.46.

The company’s quarterly revenues amounted to $8.000 bln (+5.3% y/y), beating analysts’ consensus estimate of $7.886 bln.

The company also reaffirmed guidance for FY 2019, projecting EPS of $2.05-2.10 versus analysts’ consensus estimate of $2.09.

KO rose to $49.00 (+3.38%) in pre-market trading.