Prudential Profit Rises Even as Firm Grapples With Japan Pause

Prudential Financial Inc.’s first-quarter profit beat Wall Street’s expectations, relieving pressure on Chief Executive Officer Andy Sullivan as he contends with a sales pause in one of its biggest markets.

The insurer posted operating earnings per share of $3.61 in the first quarter, according to a statement Tuesday. That’s up 9.7% from a year earlier and above the $3.09 average estimate of analysts, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Net investment income grew 11% to about $5 billion in the quarter.