Pfizer third-quarter profit beats estimates
Pfizer Inc reported better-than-expected third-quarter earnings on Tuesday, helped by costs cuts and growing sales of recently approved cancer medicines. The largest US drugmaker said it earned $2.59 billion, or 39 cents per share in the quarter, compared with $3.21 billion, or 43 cents per share, in the year-earlier period. Excluding special items, Pfizer earned 58 cents per share.
Aetna Q3 profit misses analysts' estimates
Aetna Inc reported a lower-than-expected profit for the third quarter, when cuts in US government funding hurt results in the health insurer's private Medicare business. Excluding the costs of integration and capital losses, the firm reported operating earnings of $1.50 per share.
