Profits Top Forecasts as Apple, LG Chem Wring Out More Savings

First-quarter earnings have beaten forecasts so far, as companies from Apple Inc. to Novartis AG and LG Chem Ltd. wring more profit from operations worldwide and an economic pickup buoys sales.

Since April 11, 71 percent of MCSI World Index members reporting results have topped analysts’ estimates for earnings per share, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Profits of the 188 companies have beaten forecasts by 8.8 percent.