11:54 AM EDT, 05/02/2024 (MT Newswires) -- All three major US indexes were trading in positive territory late Thursday morning as investors digest the Federal Open Market Committee's Wednesday announcement to hold rates steady and prepare for a crucial jobs report Friday.

In company news, Novo Nordisk (NVO) reported Q1 earnings Thursday of 5.68 Danish kroner ($0.81) per diluted American depositary receipt, up from 4.39 kroner a year earlier and above the Capital IQ consensus analyst estimate of 5.36 kroner. First-quarter net sales were 65.35 billion kroner, up from 53.37 billion kroner last year and above the Capital IQ consensus analyst estimate of 63.57 billion kroner. The company raise its full-year sales growth outlook range to between 19% and 27% at constant exchange rates from a range of 18% to 26%. Shares of the company were down 3.3%.

Linde (LIN) reported Q1 adjusted EPS Thursday of $3.75, up from $3.42 a year before and above the Capital IQ consensus analyst estimate of $3.67. First-quarter sales were $8.10 billion, down from $8.19 billion last year and below the Capital IQ consensus analyst estimate of $8.38 billion. The company is forecasting Q2 adjusted EPS of between $3.70 and $3.80, under the Capital IQ consensus analyst forecast of $3.90. For full-year 2024, Linde anticipates adjusted EPS of between $15.30 and $15.60, compared to its prior guidance range of $15.25 to $15.65. Analysts polled by Capital IQ expect $15.55. Linde shares were down 6.2%.

ConocoPhillips (COP) reported Q1 adjusted EPS Thursday of $2.03, down from $2.38 in the prior-year period but in-line with the Capital IQ consensus analyst estimate. First-quarter total revenue and other income was $14.48 billion, down from $15.52 billion a year earlier and below the Capital IQ consensus analyst estimate of $14.96 billion. Shares of the company were down 1.1%.

Cigna (CI) reported Q1 adjusted EPS Thursday of $6.47, up from $5.41 a year earlier and above the Capital IQ consensus analyst estimate of $6.22. First-quarter revenue was $57.26 billion, up from $46.52 billion last year and above the Capital IQ consensus analyst estimate of $56.63 billion. Cigna raised its full-year 2024 adjusted EPS guidance to $28.40 from its prior guidance of $28.25. Analysts polled by Capital IQ expect $28.44. Full-year revenue is still projected to be at least $235 billion, while analysts surveyed by Capital IQ are looking for $235.10 billion. Cigna shares were trading down 1.9%.

Novartis AG (NVS) has agreed to acquire preclinical-stage biotechnology company Mariana Oncology in a deal valued at up to $1.75 billion, the companies announced Thursday. Novartis will make an upfront payment of $1 billion and an addition $750 million in payments upon completion of pre-specified milestones, the companies said in separate statements. Novartis' shares were down 0.3%.

Peloton (PTON) announced Thursday that it is cutting its global headcount by about 15%, affecting nearly 400 employees. The company also said Chief Executive Barry McCarthy is stepping down and will serve as a strategic adviser through the end of the year. Peloton Chair Karen Boone and Director Chris Bruzzo will serve as interim co-CEOs while the board looks for a successor, the company said. Peloton shares were trading down 13.8%.

The US Federal Trade Commission declined to challenge Exxon Mobil's (XOM) acquisition of Pioneer Natural Resources (PXD) but asserted that Scott Sheffield, Pioneer's co-founder and former CEO, must not take a seat on the combined entity's board. The FTC alleges that Sheffield attempted to collude with representatives of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies to cut oil and gas production. Exxon Mobil shares were up 0.4%, while of Pioneer's were up 1%.

Uber (UBER) is facing a 250 million British pound ($312.7 million) lawsuit from London's black-cab drivers who allege that Uber improperly obtained a license from Transport for London in 2012, the Financial Times reported late Wednesday. Individual drivers are potentially eligible for as much as 25,000 British pounds in compensation, the FT reported, citing RGL Management, a litigation claims management company that is representing the drivers. Shares of Uber were up 1.7%.

Price: 2.78, Change: -0.44, Percent Change: -13.76