The COVID-19 pandemic has increased demand for products from all of Baxter’s businesses except its advanced surgery division. Overall, the diversified company’s global sales were up 8% in the first quarter.

In other finding at odds with previous court decisions, federal judge says direct seller Neora doesn’t have an “agency relationship” to its independent sales representatives and isn’t responsible for ad claims they post.

Ruling in Texas federal court on FTC complaint against Neora could serve as instructions for agency on how not to prosecute pyramid scheme allegations and for direct sellers about operating businesses so regulators find no hint of sales associates’ compensation plans based more on recruiting additional participants than on selling products.