Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in Thursday's session are General Motors Co. (GM), Comcast Corp. (CMCSA, CMCSK) and Caterpillar Inc. (CAT).

GM reported a 14% drop in its third-quarter profit but beat analyst expectations, as strength in North America offset weaker results in other regions of the world. Shares rose 2.7% to $32.15 in premarket trading.

Comcast's third-quarter profit rose 50%, as the cable giant benefited from a one-time income-tax adjustment and a boost in earnings at its NBCUniversal entertainment arm. Shares gained 2% to $52.50 premarket.

Caterpillar boosted its profit outlook for the year as the heavy-machinery maker said restructuring and cost controls were paying off amid a tough economic environment. Shares were up 3.9% to $98.30 premarket.

Eli Lilly & Co. (LLY) said its sales and profit fell in the most recent period, reflecting patent expirations and generic competition. The company also lowered the top end of its revenue guidance for the year by $200 million. Shares fell 1.8% to $63.55 premarket.

3M Co. (MMM) reported a 6% increase in profit in its third quarter, driven by sales growth of items including water purification systems and industrial adhesives and tapes. Shares advanced 2.5% to $142.43 premarket.

Union Pacific Corp. (UNP) said its third-quarter earnings rose 19% benefiting from rail freight that has buoyed the sector, as well as core pricing increases. Shares rose 3% to $110.08 premarket.

Under Armour Inc. (UA) said its apparel and footwear sales shot up 29% in the latest quarter, helping drive a surge in overall revenue, and the company again raised its outlook for full-year revenue.

Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (BAM, BAM.A.T) proposed to acquire the 30% of Brookfield Residential Properties (BRP. BRP.T) that it doesn't already own.

Several U.S. airlines posted stronger third-quarter profits and expressed bullish sentiments for the fourth quarter. United Continental Holdings Inc. (UAL), which has lagged behind its largest rivals, had a particularly strong quarter, as its profit more than doubled. American Airlines Group Inc. (AAL), Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) and JetBlue Airways Corp. (JBLU) all said they posted a record profit for the quarter.

Raytheon Co. (RTN) on Thursday reported a forecast-beating 5% rise in quarterly profits and lifted its 2014 guidance, completing a clean sweep of outperformance by the top five U.S. defense contractors.

Zimmer Holdings Inc. (ZMH) revised its guidance after slowing growth and poor foreign exchange rates hurt third-quarter results.

American Electric Power Co. (AEP) reported lower-than-expected third-quarter revenues, weighed in part by a mild summer and accelerated spending.

Occidental Petroleum Corp. (OXY) said its third-quarter earnings fell 24%, weighed by lower crude oil prices and market volatility.

Lazard Ltd. (LAZ) said its revenue jumped 18% in the latest quarter as its financial advisory and asset-management businesses significantly improved their top lines.

Dunkin' Brands Group Inc. (DNKN) said third-quarter sales rose, but the restaurant-chain operator warned it may have trouble reaching its sales targets for the year.

Quest Diagnostics Inc. (DGX) said its third-quarter revenue rose slightly more than expected, driven by acquisitions and higher diagnostic information services sales.

Yelp Inc. (YELP) on Wednesday said it swung to a profit in the third-quarter, just the second period the San Francisco business-review website has reported on the black side of the ledger since its market debut in March 2012.

Prologis Inc. (PLD) swung to a third-quarter profit, beating analyst expectations despite declining revenue.

PulteGroup Inc. (PHM) said the improving economy and higher average selling prices help drive third-quarter results that were in line with Wall Street expectations.

Mead Johnson Nutrition Co. (MJN) said its third-quarter profit rose 9.5%, slightly beating expectations, despite being hurt by foreign-exchange rates that brought down revenue 3% and higher dairy costs.

Celgene Corp. (CELG) said its third-quarter profit jumped 37%, again driven by sales growth of its key blood-cancer treatment.

Arctic Cat Inc.'s (ACAT) fiscal second-quarter adjusted per-share earnings beat Wall Street estimates, but the company reduced its full-year guidance.

AT&T Inc. (T) on Wednesday lowered its revenue projection for the year, pointing to fewer-than-expected sign-ups for its no-contract Next wireless plans that require customers to pay full price for their smartphones.

Nielsen N.V. (NLSN) continued to see its revenue grow in the third quarter, helped by recent acquisitions and growth in emerging markets.

Apple Inc. (AAPL) plans to increase the number of its Apple-brand retail stores in Greater China to 40 from 15 within two years.

 
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Air Methods Corp. (AIRM) said Wednesday it will report a lower profit from the year-ago period as net revenue edged down despite price increases.

CA Inc.'s (CA) revenue fell 2.4% during its second quarter, marking a 10th straight quarter of year-to-year revenue declines.

Cheesecake Factory Inc.'s (CAKE) third-quarter earnings fell 11% on higher costs that offset the casual-dining chain's continued sales growth.

Citrix Systems Inc. (CTXS) reported third-quarter revenue below its projection, but earnings excluding items exceeded the guidance it provided in July.

Equifax Inc.'s (EFX) third-quarter profit rose 11% as revenue increased 7%. Earnings, excluding certain items, were slightly above a July projection.

O'Reilly Automotive Inc.'s (ORLY) third-quarter earnings rose 16% on higher sales and better margins, continuing a nearly six-year trend of 15% or greater profit growth.

Select Comfort Corp.'s (SCSS) third-quarter profit rose 16%, beating the Wall Street consensus, as the company reported an uptick in sales and a better profit margin per unit.

Skechers USA Inc.'s (SKX) third-quarter revenue rose 31%, contributing to the footwear company's sharply higher third-quarter earnings.

Seagate Technology PLC (STX) plans to boost its dividend by 26%, the data-storage company said Wednesday.

Tractor Supply Co.'s (TSCO) third-quarter profit rose 18% as the chain of farm and ranch supply stores reported higher sales that offset a price drop in livestock and bird feed, lubricants and fencing.

Visa Inc. (V) is increasing its dividend by 20%, just a year after boosting the payout by 21%.

Weatherford International PLC's (WFT) third-quarter profit rose amid a round of cost-cutting and asset sales to pay down debt and focus on its core business.

Write to Tom Rojas at tom.rojas@wsj.com and Maria Armental at maria.armental@wsj.com

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