J&J first-quarter sales rise marginally

REUTERS - Johnson & Johnson reported a 0.6 percent rise in first-quarter sales, constrained by the strong dollar and Venezuela's currency devaluation.

The diversified healthcare company's net earnings fell to $4.29 billion, or $1.54 per share in the first quarter, from $4.32 billion, or $1.53 per share, a year earlier.

Sales rose to $17.48 billion from $17.37 billion.

(Reporting by Natalie Grover in Bengaluru; Editing by Saumyadeb Chakrabarty)