Check out which companies are making headlines before the bell on Thursday:
Wal-Mart – The retail giant reported third quarter profit of $1.14 per share, one cent above estimates. However, the company's revenue was shy of estimates, and its earnings projections for the full year falls largely below consensus. The company calls the current retail environment – both in stores and online – competitive.
– Kohl's missed estimates by five cents with third quarter profit of 81 cents per share, with revenue falling short as well. The retailer's comparable store sales during the quarter were down 1.6 percent compared to a year earlier.
Viacom – The media company earned $1.55 per share for its fiscal fourth quarter, beating estimates by 11 cents. Revenue was also above analyst forecasts, with advertising and home entertainment revenue both rising.
Tyco – The maker of fire protection products reported in-line fourth quarter earnings of 52 cents per share, but revenue beat Street forecasts. Tyco's board has also approved a 13 percent increase in its quarterly dividend to 72 cents per share.
Helmerich & Payne – The oilfield services company beat estimates by six cents with fiscal fourth quarter profit of $1.47 per share, with revenue above consensus as well. The company's results were driven by growth in its international business.
Cisco Systems – The networking equipment maker's first quarter sales came in about $300 million below consensus. It also guided second quarter earnings below current analyst forecasts, and warned of an 8-10 percent drop in second quarter revenues because of weak demand in emerging markets. Cisco did report fiscal first quarter profit of 53 cents per share, beating estimates by two cents, and also added $15 billion to its stock buyback program.
Boeing– The company's machinists have rejected a contract proposal that would have given concessions in return for longer-term job security. Boeing's proposal was controversial because of higher health care costs and an end to the workers' pension plan.
NetApp – NetApp reported fiscal second quarter profit of 66 cents per share, excluding certain items, three cents above estimates, though revenues were shy of consensus. The maker of data storage equipment points to cuts in government spending for the revenue shortfall.
SeaWorld Entertainment – SeaWorld posted third quarter profit of $1.33 per share, 12 cents above estimates, but revenue was short of consensus, as is the theme park operator's narrowed full year revenue guidance. However, SeaWorld is seeing growth in attendance and revenue per visitor.
Aflac– Aflac has announced a buyback program of up to 40 million shares of its common stock. That's in addition to 16.9 million in authorizations remaining under a previous program.
BorgWarner– BorgWarner is splitting its stock two-for-one as the auto parts maker will distribute the shares December 16 to shareholders of record as of December 2.
General Motors– GM chief executive Dan Akerson could step down as early as next year, according to a Reuters story. However, the report also said no search for a successor has yet begun.
Herbalife – An SEC filling shows hedge fund manager Richard Perry bought more than 2.6 million Herbalife shares during the third quarter.
—By CNBC's Peter Schacknow
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