Stock Market Opening: A wave of high-profile earnings reports added to investor uncertainty on Wednesday as leading companies from pharmaceuticals to packaged foods missed Wall Street’s expectations. Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly (LLY), industrial powerhouse Caterpillar (CAT), and food conglomerate Kraft Heinz (KHC) were among the major disappointments, with all three falling short of analyst forecasts, sending their shares down in early trading.

Eli Lilly’s stock plummeted 11% after reporting earnings per share (EPS) of $1.18, significantly below analysts’ expected $1.51. The company cited weaker-than-anticipated sales of its obesity drugs, a segment analysts expected to drive growth. Conversely, competitor AbbVie (ABBV) saw a 2% rise in share value as its earnings exceeded expectations with strong sales in immunology and oncology, reporting an EPS of $3 versus a projected $2.91.

Kraft Heinz also faced a tough third quarter, with shares dipping 3.7% as higher food prices led consumers to seek cheaper alternatives, impacting Kraft’s revenue, which came in at $6.38 billion, just shy of expectations. Caterpillar followed a similar pattern, missing estimates with EPS of $5.17 compared to the forecasted $5.34, as revenue was slightly lower at $16.1 billion against an expected $16.4 billion.

Meanwhile, UBS (UBS) posted an EPS of $0.43, beating expectations of $0.24; however, shares fell 3.8% as CEO comments pointed to ongoing concerns about the global economic outlook for the fourth quarter. On a positive note, oil company Hess (HES) provided an upside surprise, reporting EPS of $2.14 against an expected $1.81, with revenue reaching $3.2 billion, surpassing forecasts.

As companies report mixed results amid macroeconomic pressures, investors remain cautious about market stability and economic resilience heading into the year’s final quarter.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please consult a qualified financial advisor or conduct your own research before making investment decisions.