Prudential Financial’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 compiled data. Net investment income grew 11% to about $5 billion in the quarter.Sullivan took over as CEO last year with the goal of hitting financial targets after misses in recent years. After less than a year in the role, he had to respond to a regulatory probe involving its Japan unit.