Check out which companies are making headlines before the bell on Thursday:
Whole Foods - The grocery chain reported fiscal fourth quarter profit of 32 cents per share, 1 cent above estimates. But revenue was below forecasts, and the company cut its sales forecast for 2014 due to price cuts.
Toll Brothers – The luxury home builder is buying the home building business of privately owned Shapell Industries for $1.6 billion in cash, as it seeks to expand its presence in upscale California housing markets.
WhiteWave Foods – The packaged food and beverage company earned 19 cents per share for the third quarter, excluding certain items, 1 cent above estimates, with revenue above consensus as well. The Dean Foods spinoff saw growth in North America and Europe.
Apollo Global Management – The firm earned $1.13 per share for its third quarter, beating estimates of 94 cents, with economic net income coming in at $1.34 per share. Apollo's results were driven by strong gains across its investment portfolio.
Williams-Sonoma – BB&T upgraded the retailer's stock to "buy" from "hold," citing particularly strong growth for the company's Pottery Barn retail brand.
Wendy's – The fast food chain earned 8 cents per share, excluding certain items, 2 cents above estimates, but revenues were short of consensus. Wendy's says its results were helped by the introduction of the Pretzel Bacon Cheeseburger and other new items.
Beazer Homes – The home builder earned 38 cents per share, excluding certain items, for its fourth quarter, 14 cents above estimates, with revenue beating consensus by a considerable margin as well. Beazer was helped by higher prices, more closings and expanded profit margins.
Calpine (CPN) – The power producer reported third quarter profit of 70 cents per share, 2 cents above estimates, with revenue beating consensus as well. The company's results, however, were held back by a significant jump in fuel costs.
L Brands – The parent of the Victoria's Secret chain saw same-store sales rise 8 percent in October, well above street estimates of a 2.2 percent increase.
Qualcomm – The chipmaker earned $1.05 per share for its fourth quarter, excluding certain items, missing estimates by 3 cents. Revenue did exceed consensus, but Qualcomm said current quarter sales would be below forecasts. Qualcomm is facing increasing competition overseas.
Costco – The retailer is reporting October same-store sales rose 3 percent, beating the 2.6 percent consensus analyst estimate.
CBS – CBS reported third quarter profit of 76 cents per share, excluding certain items, matching estimates, with revenue ahead of consensus. The media company's profits were 26 percent higher than a year earlier, helped by growth in content licensing.
Mondelez International (MDLZ) – Mondelez earned 41 cents per share for its third quarter, excluding certain items, 1 cent above estimates, with revenues falling short of forecasts. The food producer did raise its full year earnings outlook but said weaker sales in China and low coffee prices affected its revenue performance.
Activision Blizzard – Activision reported third quarter profit of 8 cents per share, excluding certain items, 5 cents above estimates. Revenue was also well above analyst forecasts, but the video game maker's current quarter earnings and revenue outlook is below current street estimates. The company said the holiday shopping period could be "challenging."
American Eagle Outfitters – American Eagle raised its third quarter earnings outlook to 19 cents per share from 15 cents, with the teen apparel retailer's sales coming in better than expected.
Noodles & Co. – Noodles & Co. matched estimates with third quarter profit of 11 cents per share, but revenue for the quarter fell short, as does the restaurant chain's full year revenue outlook. The company did see more customer traffic and higher spending, but the growth was less than some on the street had been expecting.
Tempur Sealy – Tempur Sealy earned 73 cents per share for the third quarter, beating estimates by 5 cents. Revenue was also well above estimates, as the mattress maker saw a better than expected jump in North American sales.
Transocean – The oilfield services company beat estimates by 30 cents with third quarter profit of $1.37 per share, excluding certain items, with revenue also above consensus. Transocean benefited from increased demand as well as high rates for its services.
—By CNBC's Peter Schacknow
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