Check out which companies are making headlines before the bell:
United Technologies — The industrial conglomerate earned an adjusted $1.61 per share for the third quarter, six cents above estimates. Revenue was short of forecasts, impacted by the strong dollar. The company did, however, reaffirm its full-year forecast, and also announced it was adding $12 billion to its stock repurchase program, bringing the total to $16 billion.
Travelers — The insurance company reported adjusted quarterly profit of $2.93 per share, well above estimates of $2.27, with revenue also above forecasts. Travelers was helped by improved underwriting results, although that was partially offset by lower investment gains.
Verizon — The telecom giant earned an adjusted $1.04 per share for the third quarter, 2 cents above estimates, with revenue also beating the Street's consensus estimates. However, customer additions for its FiOS TV and internet service were lower than expected.
Lockheed Martin — The defense contractor beat estimates by 5 cents with quarterly profit of $2.77 per share, with revenue also above forecasts. It also raised its full year revenue and earnings guidance, and announced a ten percent dividend increase.
Yum Brands — The parent of KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell announced it would spin out its China unit into a separate, publicly traded company.
Harley-Davidson — The iconic motorcycle maker missed estimates by 9 cents with quarterly profit of 69 cents per share, with revenue also below analyst forecasts. The company pointed to a "highly competitive environment" which it sees continuing for the foreseeable future, and said that as a result, it will downsize its workforce.
TeamHealth — Physician services outsourcing company AmSurg is offering $71.47 per share in cash and stock to buy TeamHealth, a total of $7.8 billion. The Wall Street Journal reports that the offer has already been rebuffed by TeamHealth.
Regions Financial — The regional bank came in a penny shy of estimates with quarterly profit of 19 cents per share, though revenue was slightly above analyst forecasts.
International Business Machines — IBM reported adjusted quarterly profit of $3.34 per share, beating estimates by 4 cents. However, revenue missed estimates and fell for the 14th consecutive quarter, and the computer services giant also lowered its full year profit forecast because of a strong dollar and other factors.
United Continental — The airline named general counsel Brett Hart as acting CEO, while Chief Executive Officer Oscar Munoz recovers from a heart attack. The company said it was too soon to determine the course of treatment for Munoz or how long it may take him to recover.
Apple — Apple has more than 6.5 million paid users for its Apple Music service, according to CEO Tim Cook. 8.5 million others are still participating in a three month free trial of the service.
Flextronics — Flextronics earned an adjusted 27 cents per share for its latest quarter, 2 cents above estimates, while revenue also beat forecasts. The contract electronics manufacturer also gave a current quarter earnings forecast that falls largely above analyst forecasts, thanks in part to improving profit margins.
Aetna — Aetna's proposed acquisition of rival health insurer Humana was approved by shareholders of both companies, and the deal is expected to close in the second half of 2016.
Rambus — Rambus matched estimates with adjusted quarterly profit of 14 cents per share, but the chipmaker's revenue fell below estimates, as does its current quarter forecast. The company is seeing lower royalty revenue and said it would need to sign new customer agreements for patent and solutions licensing to achieve its revenue goals.
SanDisk — The chip maker is in advanced talks to be acquired by disk drive maker Western Digital, according to multiple reports.
SAP — SAP said it may be able to exceed its full-year financial targets, thanks to stronger than expected sales of its business software and services.
Amazon.com — The online retail giant is creating more than 100,000 holiday season jobs across the United States, compared to about 80,000 a year ago. The seasonal jobs are at Amazon's fulfillment centers.
Blackstone — The investment firm is near a deal to buy New York City apartment complex Stuyvesant Town-Peter Cooper Village for about $5.3 billion, according to a Reuters report.
CME Group — The exchange operator will raise transaction fees on a variety of products on January 1, 2016.
Community Health Systems — The company violated employee rights, according to allegations from the National Labor Relations Board. The complaint said the hospital operator refused to bargain with unions and would not let employees discuss working conditions, among other charges.
Sonic — Sonic earned 43 cents per share for its latest quarter, beating estimates by 7 cents, with the restaurant chain's sales also exceeding forecasts. Sonic has chalked up five consecutive years of rising comparable restaurant sales.
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