Novartis (NVS) reported Q1 core earnings Tuesday of $2.28 per diluted share, up from $1.80 a year earlier.

Analysts polled by FactSet expected $2.11.

Net sales to third parties for the quarter ended March 31 were $13.23 billion, up from $11.83 billion a year earlier.

Analysts surveyed by FactSet expected $13.08 billion.

The company said it expects full-year sales to grow in the high single digits and core operating income to grow in the low double digits.

Shares of the company rose more than 1% in recent Tuesday premarket activity.

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