SAN FRANCISCO -- Among the companies whose shares are expected to see active trade in Thursday's session are AT&T Inc., McDonald's Corp., and Merck & Co.

AT&T Inc. (T) is likely to report a third-quarter profit of 50 cents a share, according to analysts surveyed by FactSet Research.

McDonald's Corp. (MCD) is forecast to post earnings of $1.11 a share in the third quarter, according to analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters.

Merck & Co. (MRK) is projected to post a third-quarter profit of 82 cents a share, according to analysts surveyed by FactSet Research.

3M Co. (MMM) is expected to report earnings of $1.17 a share in the third quarter, according to analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters.

Travelers Cos. (TRV) is forecast to post earnings of $1.31 a share in the third quarter, according to analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters.

Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) is expected to report third-quarter earnings of 33 cents a share, according to analysts surveyed by FactSet Research.

American Express Co. (AXP) is forecast to post earnings of 37 cents a share in the third quarter, according to analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters.

Black & Decker Corp. (BDK) is estimated to report a profit of 90 cents a share in the third quarter, according to analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (BMY) is expected to report earnings of 51 cents a share in the third quarter, according to analysts surveyed by FactSet Research.

Broadcom Corp. (BRCM) is likely to report a third-quarter profit of 33 cents a share, according to analysts surveyed by FactSet Research.

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. (BNI) is projected to post a third-quarter profit of $1.28 a share, according to analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters.

CA Inc. (CA) is expected to report fiscal second-quarter earnings of 40 cents a share, according to analysts surveyed by FactSet Research.

Capital One Financial Corp. (COF) is projected to post a third-quarter profit of 13 cents a share, according to analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters.

Celgene Corp. (CELG) is estimated to report a profit of 54 cents a share in the third quarter, according to analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters.

Chubb Corp. (CB) is forecast to post earnings of $1.27 a share in the third quarter, according to analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters.

Compuware Corp. (CPWR) is likely to report a fiscal second-quarter profit of 8 cents a share, according to analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters.

Consol Energy Inc. (CNX) is expected to report earnings of 67 cents a share in the third quarter, according to analysts surveyed by FactSet Research.

Danaher Corp. (DHR) is expected to report third-quarter earnings of 86 cents a share, according to analysts surveyed by FactSet Research.

Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc. (DO) is forecast to post earnings of $2.29 a share in the third quarter, according to analysts surveyed by FactSet Research.

Dow Chemical Co. (DOW) is estimated to report a profit of 10 cents a share in the third quarter, according to analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters.

Eastman Chemical Co. (EMN) is projected to post a third-quarter profit of $1.13 a share, according to analysts surveyed by FactSet Research.

EMC Corp. (EMC) is expected to report earnings of 21 cents a share in the third quarter, according to analysts surveyed by FactSet Research.

Ensco International Inc. (ESV) is likely to report a third-quarter profit of $1.05 a share, according to analysts surveyed by FactSet Research.

Entergy Corp. (ETR) is expected to report third-quarter earnings of $2.45 a share, according to analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters.

Federated Investors Inc. (FII) is forecast to post earnings of 52 cents a share in the third quarter, according to analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters.

Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB) is estimated to report a loss of 17 cents a share in the third quarter, according to analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters.

Goodrich Corp. (GR) is expected to report earnings of $1.03 a share in the third quarter, according to analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters.

Hershey Co. (HSY) is expected to report third-quarter earnings of 67 cents a share, according to analysts surveyed by FactSet Research.

Huntington Bancshares Inc. (HBAN) is projected to post a third-quarter loss of 28 cents a share, according to analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters.

IMS Health Inc. (RX) is estimated to report a profit of 37 cents a share in the third quarter, according to analysts surveyed by FactSet Research.

Janus Capital Group Inc. (JNS) is estimated to report a profit of 14 cents a share in the third quarter, according to analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters.

Juniper Networks Inc. (JNPR) is forecast to post earnings of 21 cents a share in the third quarter, according to analysts surveyed by FactSet Research.

Kimberly-Clark Corp. (KMB) is expected to report earnings of $1.14 a share in the third quarter, according to analysts surveyed by FactSet Research.

Laboratory Corp. of America (LH) is likely to report a third-quarter profit of $1.15 a share, according to analysts surveyed by FactSet Research.

Legg Mason Inc. (LM) is expected to report fiscal second-quarter earnings of 20 cents a share, according to analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters.

Leggett & Platt Inc. (LEG) is projected to post a third-quarter profit of 28 cents a share, according to analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters.

New York Times Co. (NYT) is expected to report third-quarter loss of 1 cent a share, according to analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters.

Nucor Corp. (NUE) is likely to report a third-quarter loss of 15 cents a share, according to analysts surveyed by FactSet Research.

Occidental Petroleum Corp. (OXY) is forecast to post earnings of $1.07 a share in the third quarter, according to analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters.

Philip Morris International Inc. (PM) is expected to report earnings of 90 cents a share in the third quarter, according to analysts surveyed by FactSet Research.

PNC Financial Services Group Inc. (PNC) is projected to post a third-quarter profit of 31 cents a share, according to analysts surveyed by FactSet Research.

Prologis (PLD) is estimated to report a profit of 19 cents a share in the third quarter, according to analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters.

Raytheon Co. (RTN) is forecast to post earnings of $1.16 a share in the third quarter, according to analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters.

Reynolds American Inc. (RAI) is expected to report third-quarter earnings of $1.17 a share, according to analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters.

Ryder System Inc. (R) is likely to report a third-quarter profit of 45 cents a share, according to analysts surveyed by FactSet Research.

Schering-Plough Corp. (SGP) is expected to report earnings of 40 cents a share in the third quarter, according to analysts surveyed by FactSet Research.

Sigma-Aldrich Corp. (SIAL) is projected to post a third-quarter profit of 67 cents a share, according to analysts surveyed by FactSet Research.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts (HOT) is likely to report a third-quarter profit of 10 cents a share, according to analysts surveyed by FactSet Research.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (TMO) is expected to report third-quarter earnings of 76 cents a share, according to analysts surveyed by FactSet Research.

Union Pacific Corp. (UNP) is estimated to report a profit of $1.01 a share in the third quarter, according to analysts surveyed by FactSet Research.

United Parcel Services Inc. (UPS) is expected to report earnings of 52 cents a share in the third quarter, according to analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters.

Western Digital Corp. (WDC) is projected to post a fiscal first-quarter profit of 93 cents a share, according to analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters.

Xerox Corp. (XRX) is likely to report a third-quarter profit of 12 cents a share, according to analysts surveyed by FactSet Research.

Zimmer Holdings Inc. (ZMH) is expected to report third-quarter earnings of 86 cents a share, according to analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters.

After Wednesday's closing bell, Amgen Inc. (AMGN) posted net income of $1.39 billion, or $1.36 a share, compared with $1.12 billion, or $1.05 a share, for the same period in 2008. Excluding various items, Amgen would have reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.49 versus $1.23. Revenue decreased 2% to $3.81 billion, from $3.88 billion. A poll of analysts by FactSet Research pegged Amgen at posting earnings of $1.26, on revenue of $3.78 billion. Amgen said it now sees adjusted 2009 earnings per share of $4.90 to $5.05, up from its previous range of $4.80 to $4.95. See full story

Watch list

Ameriprise Financial Inc. (AMP) said it swung to a third-quarter profit of $260 million, or $1 a share. The financial services provider lost $70 million, or 32 cents a share, a year ago. Revenue rose 20% to $2 billion. Analysts had forecast Ameriprise to earn 64 cents a share, according to Factset Research.

Citrix Systems Inc. said (CTXS) its third-quarter net income rose to $53 million, or 29 cents a share, from $49 million, or 26 cents a share in the same period last year. The business technology infrastructure provider said revenue for the period ended in September rose slightly to $401 million from $398.9 million. Excluding special items, earnings were 43 cents a share, Citrix said. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters had estimated Citrix would post earnings excluding items of 41 cents a share, and $400 million in revenue.

EBay Inc. (EBAY) reported a drop in third-quarter earnings though revenue for the quarter came in notably higher than Wall Street's estimates. For the third quarter, eBay reported earnings of $349.7 million, or 27 cents a share, compared to earnings of $492.2 million, or 38 cents a share, for the same period last year. Excluding charges related to stock-options and other items, the company said it would have earned $502 million, or 38 cents a share, for the recent period. Revenue rose more than 5% to $2.24 billion. Analysts were expecting eBay to report earnings of 37 cents a share on revenue of $2.14 billion for the third quarter, according to consensus forecasts from Thomson Reuters. See full story

Lam Research Corp. (LRCX) reported a profit of $16.8 million, or 13 cents a share, for its quarter ended Sept. 27, compared with a profit of $8.9 million, or 7 cents a share, for the year-earlier period. Revenue was $318.55 million, down from $440.4 million, for the same period last year. Analysts had expected the Fremont, Calif.-based chip tools maker to report a loss of 8 cents a share, on revenue of $289.8 million, according to a consensus survey by FactSet Research.

Novellus Systems (NVLS) reported a third-quarter loss of $4.03 million, or 4 cents a share, compared with a profit of $1.4 million, or 1 cent a share, for the year-earlier period. Revenue was $176.9 million, down from $250.1 million for the same period last year. Analysts had expected the San Jose, Calif.-based semiconductor equipment maker to report a loss of 4 cents a share, on revenue of $171.9 million, according to a consensus survey by FactSet Research.

Pactiv Corp. (PTV) the maker of Hefty trash bags, on Wednesday reported a third-quarter profit of $87 million, or 65 cents a share, up from $53 million, or 40 cents a share, a year earlier. Earnings from continuing operations came in at 54 cents a share. Sales fell to $839 million from $925 million a year ago as lower prices more than offset improved volume. Analysts polled by FactSet Research were looking for a profit, on average, of 51 cents a share with revenue of $863 million. Pactiv also raised its outlook for the full year to a range of $2.44 to $2.49 a share. Wall Street previously forecast a 2009 profit of $2.43 a share.

QLogic Corp. (QLGC) reported a fiscal second-quarter profit of $16.2 million, or 14 cents a share, on revenue of $131.5 million, compared with earnings of $27.2 million, or 20 cents a share, on sales of $171.2 million during the same period a year ago. Excluding one-time items, QLogic would have earned $25.1 million, or 21 cents a share. Analysts surveyed by FactSet Research had forecast the networking-equipment company to earn 18 cents a share on $125.6 million in revenue.

Visa Inc. (V) named John Partridge as president of the company effective immediately. Partridge was formerly Visa's Chief Operating Officer.

VMware Inc. (VMW) reported a fiscal third-quarter profit of $38 million, or 9 cents a share, on revenue of $490 million, compared with earnings of $83 million, or 21 cents a share, on $472 million in sales in the same period a year ago. Excluding one-time items, the virtualization-software company would have earned $95 million, or 24 cents a share. Analysts surveyed by FactSet Research had forecast VMware to earn 20 cents a share on $473 million in revenue. See full story

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