Check out which companies are making headlines before the bell on Thursday:
Quest Diagnostics– The laboratory services provider expects to report third quarter profit of $1.02 per share, below Street estimates of $1.20. Quest saw deteriorating revenue late in the quarter and experienced increased denial rates for certain tests. Quest's full earnings report for the quarter is out on October 17.
Boeing – Canaccord began coverage on Boeing with a "buy" rating, saying it will continue to benefit from strong industry fundamentals. It does caution that the outlook for orders in 2015-2016 is uncertain, and that research and development costs will be increasing because of the 737MAX and 777X jets.
– The satellite radio operator added $2 billion to its stock buyback plan.
Netflix – Needham & Co. began coverage on the video service with a "buy" rating, saying Netflix is the best way to play global broadband growth.
Liberty Media – The company repurchased 5.2 percent of its outstanding shares from Comcast .
Liberty Interactive – Liberty plans to create a tracking stock for QVC Group as part of a recapitalization plan. The stock will track the value of QVC as well as Liberty's 38 percent interest in HSN.
Tiffany – The luxury retailer's stock was upgraded to "buy" from "neutral" at Sterne Agee, which said Tiffany has a good opportunity to recapture higher profit margins. The firm said Tiffany will benefit from a growing international platform as well as an improved U.S. business.
Ruby Tuesday – Ruby Tuesday reported a fiscal first quarter loss of 36 cents per share, wider than the 5 cent loss analysts were anticipating. That comes as the restaurant chain posts an 11 percent drop in comparable restaurant sales at company-owned locations, and 8.4 percent at franchised locations.
Citrix Systems – Citrix is predicting third quarter profit of 68 to 69 cents per share, short of the consensus estimate of 73 cents. It also sees revenue falling below Street expectations. The software company and its competitors have been impacted by more cautious tech budgets.
Chevron — Chevron expects third quarter earnings to be lower than in the second quarter, citing lower profit margins in its refining operation. The oil giant also sees foreign exchange losses for the quarter, an area which had provided gains during the second quarter.
Gilead Sciences – Gilead reported positive results in a trial using an experimental drug in combination with its Rituxan to treat certain leukemia patients.
Men's Wearhouse – Men's Wearhouse has adopted a so-called "poison pill", after rejecting a takeover bid from Jos. A. Bank (JOSB). The clothing retailer, which said the offer undervalues the company, will grant shareholders the right to buy more common stock at a discounted price if any person or group acquires more than 10 percent.
T-Mobile – The mobile carrier is for international data and texting, beginning October 31.
Boyd Gaming, MGM Resorts - Hotel/casino Borgata, co-owned by Boyd and MGM, has received the first internet gaming permit ever granted by the state of New Jersey. Internet gaming is set to begin in New Jersey on November 26.
Blackstone – Blackstone received more than a half dozen bids for its La Quinta hotel chain, according to the Wall Street Journal. The paper said Blackstone is also weighing the possibility of going public.
OfficeMax, Office Depot – Janney is upgrading both stocks to "buy" from "neutral", based on synergies from their planned merger.
—By CNBC's Peter Schacknow
Questions? Comments? Email us at marketinsider@cnbc.com