Check out which companies are making headlines before the bell:
Diamond Foods — The snack maker will be bought by rival Snyder's-Lance for $1.27 billion in cash and stock. Diamond shareholders will get $12.50 per share in cash, and 0.775 shares of Snyder's for every share they now hold.
Anthem — The health insurer earned an adjusted $2.73 per share for the third quarter, 40 cents above estimates, while revenue beat forecasts, as well. Anthem's results were helped by increased enrollment in its commercial and government business segments.
Generac — The maker of generators earned 92 cents per share for its latest quarter, 13 cents above estimates, and revenue was well above analysts' forecasts. However, Generac did cut its full year outlook, citing fewer than expected power outages and the impact of lower energy prices on certain mobile products.
Hilton Worldwide — The hotel chain matched Street forecasts with adjusted quarterly profit of 23 cents per share. Hilton did beat on the top line, however, and raised its earnings outlook for the full year. Hilton said demand is especially strong in the United States, where it is substantially outstripping supply.
Starwood Hotels — Starwood reported adjusted quarterly profit of 74 cents per share, 2 cents above estimates, with revenue essentially in line. Separately, Starwood announced the sale of its vacation ownership unit to Interval Leisure Group. The sale of the unit — valued at about $1.5 billion — will take place after it is spun off by Starwood.
Northrop Grumman — The defense contractor won an Air Force contract to build the next-generation long range bomber, which could have an ultimate value of up to $80 billion. Separately, the company reported adjusted quarterly profit of $2.41 per share, well above estimates of $2.19. Revenue was also above forecasts, and Northrop Grumman also increased its full year guidance.
Hershey — The chocolate and candy maker earned an adjusted $1.17 per share for its latest quarter, 4 cents above estimates, with revenue essentially in line. Hershey said its U.S. sales were less than expected, but it did benefit from expanded profit margins. The company also noted an unfavorable impact from the stronger U.S. dollar.
Rite Aid — The drug store chain agreed to be bought by Walgreens for $9.4 billion, or $9 per share in cash. Rite Aid stock had risen during the regular trading day Tuesday after Dow Jones reported that the two sides were in talks.
Walgreens Boots Alliance — In addition to the Rite Aid deal, Walgreens also announced quarterly profit of 88 cents per share, 7 cents above estimates, with revenue also beating forecasts.
Boston Scientific — The medical device maker came in 1 cent above analysts' estimates with quarterly profit of 24 cents per share. Revenue also beat forecasts, but current quarter guidance is below Street consensus. The company did say it is benefiting from both new product introductions and investments in various companies.
Apple — Apple reported quarterly profit of $1.96 per share, 8 cents above estimates, with revenue slightly above forecasts. Apple sold more than 48 million iPhones during the quarter and nearly doubled its China sales, but it did issue conservative current quarter revenue guidance.
Twitter — Twitter beat estimates by 5 cents with adjusted quarterly profit of 10 cents per share, and revenue also scored a beat, but the stock is under pressure because of a tepid current quarter revenue forecast.
Gilead Sciences — Gilead earned an adjusted $3.22 per share for its latest quarter, beating estimates of $2.87, while revenue was also well above estimates. However, the drug maker's hepatitis C treatments saw flat sales as health insurers show more reluctance to pay for the relatively expensive drugs.
Akamai Technologies — Akamai beat estimates by 5 cents with adjusted quarterly profit of 62 cents per share, while revenue came in slightly ahead of Street forecasts. The Internet technology provider also gave a current quarter earnings and revenue outlook that fell short of analysts' projections, however, because of the strong U.S. dollar and slower online traffic growth.
Anadarko Petroleum — Anadarko lost 72 cents per share for the third quarter, 1 cent smaller than expected, while revenue fell short of estimates. The oil and natural gas producer, like its rivals, is suffering the effects of lower oil prices.
Express Scripts — The company came in 1 cent above estimates with adjusted quarterly profit of $1.45 per share, but revenue was shy of estimates for the pharmacy benefits manager. The company did increase its earnings guidance for the full year.
Hewlett-Packard — Following the split of Hewlett-Packard into two separate companies, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and HP Inc. will both be added to the S&P 500, while Hudson City Bancorp will be taken out of the index.
Domino's Pizza — The pizza chain announced an $800 million share repurchase program, replacing a previous $200 million authorization.
Panera Bread — Panera reported adjusted quarterly profit of $1.32 per share, a penny above estimates, with the restaurant chain's revenue falling shy of analyst forecasts. Panera's sales did improve from a year earlier, but it spent more on hiring, equipment, and technology.
Sony — Sony will buy Toshiba's image sensor business for a reported $166 million.
IBM — IBM is near an agreement to buy the digital assets of Weather Channel parent Weather Co., in a deal that could be valued at more than $2 billion. Re/code had first reported the talks last week.
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