Biotech Gilead Sciences handily beat first-quarter expectations and raised its revenue guidance Thursday, capping off a busy day for big-cap drugmaker earnings. Gilead (GILD) reported earnings minus one-time items of $2.94 a share, up 99% from the year-earlier quarter and beating analysts’ consensus by 62 cents, according to Thomson Reuters. Revenue jumped 52% to $7.59 billion, more than $600 million above Wall Street’s estimate.
First Solar and SunPower’s preparations for their joint yield company looked rockier than anticipated Thursday as both reported surprisingly steep first-quarter sales declines. The two largest U.S. solar panel makers are selling fewer power plants so they can retain some assets for their new venture. As a result, analysts were expecting sales drops — but not as steep as what was reported. Tempe, Ariz.-based First Solar (FSLR)
Apple late Monday crushed Wall Street’s fiscal second-quarter estimates, delivering much better than expected revenue and earnings driven by continued strong iPhone 6 sales. Apple (AAPL) sold 61.2 million iPhones in the March-ended quarter, up 40% year over year and better than even the most optimistic forecasts. On average, Wall Street analysts were counting on sales of 58 million units. “We’re seeing fantastic results for