Check out which companies are making headlines before the bell:
DuPont — The chemical giant earned an adjusted 13 cents per share for the third quarter, 3 cents above estimates. Revenue was well short, however, as a strong dollar and other factors impacted the bottom line. DuPont said it was "not pleased" with the quarter's results.
Ford Motor — Ford reported adjusted quarterly profit of 45 cents per share, a penny shy of estimates. Revenue, however, was above forecasts, and Ford said its North American unit had its best quarter ever.
Merck — Merck earned an adjusted 96 cents per share for the third quarter, beating estimates by 5 cents, with revenue essentially in line. Merck also increased its full-year forecast, even as it suffers negative impact from a stronger dollar.
Pfizer — The drugmaker came in 9 cents above estimates, with adjusted quarterly profit of 60 cents per share and revenue also beating analyst forecasts. Pfizer also raised its full-year outlook, on strong results in oncology and vaccines, among other areas.
Comcast — The NBCUniversal parent matched Street estimates with quarterly profit of 80 cents per share, while revenue was above estimates. Comcast added 320,000 high speed internet customers during the quarter, and 156,000 cable customers. (Disclosure: NBCUniversal is the parent of CNBC.)
Alibaba — The China-based internet retail giant beat estimates on both the top and bottom lines, highlighted by what the company calls a strong outperformance in mobile use.
Valeant Pharmaceuticals — Investor Bill Ackman of Pershing Square will discuss his investment in the drug maker in a conference call on Friday morning. Valeant is in the midst of defending its accounting practices and relationship with specialty pharmacies.
Spirit Airlines — The discount airline came in 3 cents above estimates with quarterly profit of $1.35 per share, with revenue also above forecasts. Lower fuel prices helped expand profit margins during the quarter.
Corning — The glass company matched estimates with quarterly profit of 34 cents per share, while revenue fell shy of forecasts. The company did add $4 billion to its share buyback program.
Bristol-Myers Squibb — The drug maker beat Street forecasts by 4 cents with quarterly profit of 39 cents per share, while revenue was also above estimates. Bristol-Myers also raised its full-year earnings forecast.
Coach — The luxury goods maker came in a penny above estimates at an adjusted 41 cents per share, though revenue was slightly shy of analyst projections. Coach's sales declined, but it was the slowest drop the company has seen in over two years as North American demand rebounds.
Cheesecake Factory — The restaurant chain reported adjusted quarterly profit of 59 cents per share, 3 cents above estimates. But revenue was short of forecasts, as is the company's fourth quarter earnings forecast. Cheesecake Factory has previously said that higher labor costs are impacting its results.
First Data — First Data reported a 14 percent increase in operating profit compared to a year earlier, in the credit card processor's first quarterly report as a public company. First Data's results were helped by an increase in consumer spending.
Edwards Lifesciences — Edwards reported quarterly profit of $1.07 per share, 9 cents above estimates, with the medical device maker's revenue also beating forecasts. Edwards is seeing better than expected sales for its nonsurgical heart valves, but its results are seeing a negative impact from the strong US dollar.
Rent-A-Center — The company earned an adjusted 47 cents per share for its latest quarter, beating estimates by two cents. Revenue for the rent-to-own company was short of estimates, however, and it cut its full-year 2015 earnings guidance as well. Rent-A-Center said its smartphone business — launched a year ago — did well with newer phones, but not as well with its inventory of older models.
Wal-Mart — The retailer has applied to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration for permission to use drones for deliveries and a variety of other reasons.
BP — BP announced another round of spending cuts and additional asset sales, as it tries to cope with continued low oil prices.
JPMorgan Chase — The bank will launch a competitor to Apple Pay, with a number of major merchants already having signed on to participate.
Monsanto — Monsanto is shutting three research and development centers next year, resulting in the loss of 90 jobs. The chemical company is closing centers based in Wisconsin, Connecticut, and North Carolina.
IAC/InterActiveCorp — The Barry Diller-controlled company beat estimates with its latest earnings, helped by the success of its online dating services Match.com and Tinder.
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