Q4 2024 Management View CEO Vas Narasimhan highlighted Novartis' strong performance in Q4 2024, with sales increasing 16% and core operating income rising 29% in constant currency. For the full year,

The pharma major beat analysts’ expectations in the fourth quarter of 2024, despite looming competition for its top heart drug Entresto.

"With investors highly tuned into how AI spend will represent real revenue for big tech, Apple's results have provided...reassurance," said Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown.

The company has heavily advertised AI features since the latest iPhones were released in September.

Shares in Apple rose 2.5% in Frankfurt on Friday after results the day before, as the company forecast relatively strong sales growth in the current quarter, a sign it will recover from a dip in iPhone sales.