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.

After leading an investment team to buy The Philadelphia Inquirer in 2006, Brian P. Tierney invited the widow of its onetime owner, Walter Annenberg, to visit him in her husband's old office. While visiting, Lenore Annenberg noted that Tierney had situated his desk differently from her husband.

Tierney moved his desk. "I want all the good vibes, good ideas, I can get," Tierney told Philadelphia magazine.

Profits and sales are down for another quarter at UPS (UPS), but investors will be looking ahead to the upcoming holiday season to see if the world's largest shipping carrier - and the U.S. economy - are truly on the road to recovery.

The Atlanta-based company said Thursday its net income for the three months ended Sept. 30 fell more than 43 percent to $549 million, or 55 cents a share, compared to a profit of $970 million, or 96 cents a share, a year ago.

Revenue dropped almost 15 percent to $11.2 billion from $13.1 billion a year ago.