American International Group Inc. (AIG) posted its second straight profit Friday morning of $455 million, or 68 cents a share, as investment losses narrowed and catastrophe costs declined. But revenue fell at life and property-casualty operations. Shares fell over 10 percent ahead of the bell.

Starbucks (SBUX), late Thursday, reported higher earnings, saying adjusted profit of 24 cents per share, beating the 21-cents-per share estimate of analysts polled by Thomson Reuters mostly due to cost cutting measures. The coffee chain lifted its fiscal 2010 adjusted earnings guidance due to improving traffic in its stores. Shares jumped about 4 percent in premarket trade.

U.S. stocks are set to start the day on an upbeat note, keeping with the momentum from Thursday's two percent surge. The focus this morning is on government's jobs report to be released at 8:30 a.m. Eastern. While there have been signs of growth and recovery in the economy, the labor market has been one of the biggest concerns, as the Federal Reserve statement from Wednesday attests. The employment data will also allow investors to gauge how the upcoming shopping season will fare.

[Update 8:33 a.m.: Stock futures changed course after the government reported the unemployment rate rose to 10.2 percent, above the 9.9 percent expected. Nonfarm payrolls dropped by 190,000 in October, bringing to total number of jobs lost in the recession to 7.3 million.]

More here: Before the bell: Futures higher ahead of jobs report

As my husband was recently struggling to sleep while battling his swine flu symptoms -- I wish I could get one of those test kits to determine for sure what he has -- I made a shopping list. I added disinfectant wipes after swabbing down the phone and remote controls he used. Also on the list went bleach after noticing I was low when I cleaned the bathroom. Surgical masks and Purell -- the bottle was nearly half empty I realized in alarm -- made it on too, after I reckoned it was impossible to keep a wide enough berth (six feet is recommended distance) from someone with whom I share a house.

I'm not the only one who's got swine flu prevention on the brain. This scenario is playing out all over the country in households with sick persons, or just those preparing for the likely event that someone could get infected. Some 63 percent of the population could catch the virus by year's end. The happy consequence, of course, is that several consumer product companies are seeing sales and bottom-line growth as a result. Here's a run-down of some of the more prominent beneficiaries:

Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO) posted a stronger-than-expected profit for its fiscal first quarter and said business was recovering as customers are buying more network equipment again. Its revenue outlook for the current quarter also exceeded Wall Street expectations. Shares rose over 3.5 percent in premarket trade.

Toyota Motor Corp. (TM) posted a surprise profit last quarter -- its first after three losing quarters -- and trimmed its projected red ink for the year. Toyota said results were due to government measures around the world designed to boost sales of environmentally friendly cars and other vehicles. Shares were 2 percent higher ahead of the bell.

U.S. stocks are poised for a weak opening Thursday morning after finishing barely changed Wednesday following the Federal Reserve's statement that it was keeping rates at record low levels. Wall Street wanted a stronger show of confidence in the economy.

Also in focus this morning are retail chain-stores October sales. And earnings from tech giant Cisco (CSCO), which also gave an upbeat outlook could give a boost to tech.

[Update: Futures now point to a higher open following retail sales data, earnings and lower claims numbers.]

More here: Before the bell: Futures drift lower after Fed's statement, Cisco, Toyota climb

Ever since China loosened its trade restrictions with the West, companies have jumped head-first into the Communist-run state, hoping to capitalize on selling products to the planet's most populous nation. Pharmaceutical companies have been no different, but at a somewhat more subdued rate because China's health-care system has been less developed.

Now, though, just when reform is looming for the U.S. health-care system, which could potentially slow pharmaceutical sales (at least in the short term), China is starting to push health care into growth mode. And Swiss-based Novartis (NVS) is one drugmaker that intends to capitalize on it.

Time Warner (TWX), parent of DailyFinance, reported a 38 percent drop in third-quarter profit Wednesday, hurt by declines at its AOL and publishing segments, but the results beat expectations and the company is boosting its full-year earnings forecast. Shares climbed over 2 percent ahead of the bell.

Kraft (KFT) reported disappointing results late Tuesday. This will make its task of winning over Cadbury (CBY) shareholders that much tougher as analysts cut estimates of what it could afford to pay for Cadbury. KFT shares declined 1.6 percent in premarket trade.

U.S. stocks are poised for a higher open Wednesday morning. While investors were more cautious Tuesday, the first day of the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee two-day policy meeting, this morning they seem more convinced about the stance policymakers will take. This afternoon, the Fed will give its outlook on the economy and the corresponding policy it's taking. It is widely believed the Fed will not raise rates. Meanwhile, more earnings and economic data are on tap.

More here: Before the bell: Futures rise ahead of Fed decision

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), despite all its efforts and diversification, couldn't escape doing what most pharmaceutical companies have done in the face of increasing pressures from generic-drug companies and the recession. J&J said on Tuesday it plans to cut 6 percent to 7 percent of its workforce of approximately 117,000 in a bid to prop up profits.

The New Brunswick, N.J.-based company said the cuts, mostly achieved through reducing layers of management, will affect some 7,000 to 8,000 worldwide. But today is Election Day in the company's base state, and one cannot help but wonder if the timing of such an announcement from one of the largest private employers in New Jersey isn't politically motivated in support of the challengers in the three-way race for governor, or at least against the Democratic incumbent, Jon Corzine.

Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A), Warren Buffett's company, announced Tuesday morning that it will buy the remaining 77.4 percent that it does not already own in railroad giant Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNI) for $100 a share in cash and stock. The deal is valued at approximately $44 billion, including $10 billion of outstanding BNSF debt, making it the largest acquisition in Berkshire Hathaway's history. BNI shares popped nearly 30 percent in premarket trading.

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) announced several restructuring moves Tuesday, including cutting its workforce of nearly 120,000 employees by up to 7 percent. J&J will take other restructuring moves in order to save up to $900 million next year. While the job cuts prompted a restructuring charge of up to $1.3 billion pretax in the fourth quarter, J&J confirmed guidance. JNJ shares climbed some 2 percent ahead of the bell.