Novo Nordisk seen up 2% after Q1 beat, guidance hike

** Shares in Novo Nordisk NOVO_B are seen rising 2% after the Danish drug maker delivered better-than-expected Q1 results and raised its 2024 outlook

** Novo now expects sales to grow between 19% and 27% in local currencies in 2024, compared to the previously guided range of 18% to 26%, sees operating profit growth of 22% and 30%, up from the previous forecast of 21% to 29%

** "Outlook for both sales & EBIT raised 1p.p. on the higher 1Q US rebate gains, suggesting +1%-2% potential cons upgrades, at most, in our view," J.P.Morgan says

** "Shares likely uptick given some fear into the results, but may then fade," it adds