Before the opening bell on Thursday, a number of big name, dividend paying companies announced their quarterly earnings. Below, we look at these earnings reports and break down the important points for investors.

Goldman Sachs Reports Higher Q1 Results

Earnings
Goldman Sachs (GS ) reported Q1 earnings of $2.75 billion, or $5.94 per share, up from $1.94 billion, or $4.02 per share, last year. On average, analysts expected to see EPS of $4.26.

Revenue
Revenue increased 14% to $10.62 billion from $9.33 billion last year. Analysts expected to see revenue of $9.35 billion.

Citigroup Beats EPS Estimates

Earnings
Citigroup (C ) posted earnings of $4.8 billion, or $1.51 per share, up from $3.9 billion, or $1.23 per share, last year. Excluding special items, EPS was $1.52 – above analysts’ view of $1.39.

Revenue
Revenue declined to $19.7 billion from $20.2 billion last year. Excluding special items, revenue was $19.8 billion. Analysts expected to see $19.82 billion in revenue.

UnitedHealth Group Beats Q1 Estimates

Earnings
UnitedHealth Group (UNH ) posted earnings of $1.413 billion, or $1.46 per share, up from $1.1 billion, or $1.10 per share, last year. Analysts expected to see EPS of $1.35.

Revenue
Revenue increased to $35.76 billion from $31.71 billion. Analysts expected to see revenue of $34.63 billion.

Outlook
Looking forward, UNH expects to see FY2015 EPS between $6.15 and $6.30. Analysts expect to see EPS of $6.21.

Philip Morris International Reports Lower EPS

Earnings
Philip Morris International (PM ) reported earnings of $1.8 billion, or $1.16 per share, from $1.9 billion, or $1.18 per share, last year. Adjusted earnings came in at $1.16 – above analysts’ view of $1.01.

Revenue
Revenue climbed to $17.35 billion from $17.78 billion last year. Analysts expected to see revenue of $16.13 billion.

Outlook
Looking ahead to FY2015, the company increased its expected EPS range to $4.32 to $4.42, up from its previous range of $4.27 to $4.37.

Sherwin-Williams Reports Higher Q1 Results

Earnings
Sherwin-Williams (SHW ) reported Q1 earnings of $131.40 million, or $1.38 per share, up from $115.46 million, or $1.14 per share, last year. On average, Wall Street analysts expected to see EPS of $1.44.

Revenue
Sales increased to $2.45 billion from $2.37 billion. Analysts expected to see revenue of $2.49 billion.

Outlook
Looking ahead to FY2015, the company expects to see EPS between $10.90 and $11.10. Analysts expect to see EPS of $11.92.