Equitable Holdings (EQH) rises after Q1 call highlights Corebridge merger, inflows

Equitable Holdings (EQH) shares rose to $42.60 from $41.49 before its first-quarter earnings call, as investors focused on its proposed merger with Corebridge and operating momentum despite revenue falling short of Wall Street expectations. CEO Mark Pearson said total sales rose 10% from a year earlier, driven by strength in registered index-linked annuities. The company reported $1.3 billion of net inflows and cited organic growth in retirement sales and wealth management, along with improved mortality experience, as key drivers. Investors are expected to track progress on the Corebridge merger, planned expense synergies, net inflows across retirement and wealth management, and AllianceBernstein’s integration of $100 billion in new assets. Execution on those areas will be central to assessing Equitable’s growth and profitability targets.