UPDATE: BEFORE THE BELL -2: US HOT STOCKS TO WATCH

Among the companies whose shares are expected to actively trade in Thursday's session are First Solar Inc. (FSLR), Lincoln National Corp. (LNC) and Sprint Nextel Corp. (S)

First Solar's third-quarter profit jumped 54% as the thin-film solar-power modules maker posted higher revenue, but margins slumped on pricing pressures. Shares dropped 13% to $131 in pre-market trading as revenue badly missed expectations.

Lincoln National's third-quarter profit--its first in a year--rose 3.3% on a gain from an asset sale. Shares climbed 6.5% to $23.70 in premarket trading as the life insurer and variable-annuity provider's earnings topped Wall Street's expectations.

Sprint Nextel posted a wider third-quarter loss as subscribers continued to leave the struggling mobile-phone service provider, albeit at a slower rate in the post-paid market. Results were slightly worse than analysts' expectations and shares slid 3% premarket to $3.14.

LSI Corp.'s (LSI) third-quarter profit surged as a $65 million tax benefit masked lower sales and margins. The storage-chip maker posted a rare profit and better-than-expected results, sending shares up 3.8% to $5.18 premarket.

Akamai Technologies Inc.'s (AKAM) third-quarter profit slipped 1.8% on falling margins as the Internet content-delivery company beat its forecasts. Shares grew 8.1% to $21.80 in premarket trading.

AutoNation Inc. (AN) swung to a profit in the third quarter following a $1.46 billion write-down last year as the largest U.S. car-dealership chain reported earnings above analysts' expectations. The company also said capital spending next year will surge 65% while the board approved a $250 million stock-buyback effort. AutoNation's shares rose 2.2% to $18.50 premarket.

Burger King Holdings Inc.'s (BKC) fiscal first-quarter earnings fell 3.2% as high unemployment among the chain's core customers led to declining same-store sales. Burger King's results fell below Wall Street expectations, sending shares down 3.1% to $16.75 before the opening bell.

Flowserve Corp.'s (FLS) third-quarter profit was flat as cost-cutting offset a decline in sales, and the company said it is expanding its realignment efforts. Shares fell 4.4% to $95 in premarket trading as the valve and pump producer's revenue fell short of Wall Street's expectations although earnings topped analysts' estimates.

 
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Cerner Corp.'s (CERN) third-quarter earnings rose 7.5% as the health-care information technology company saw a healthy increase in bookings. Cerner also projected fourth-quarter revenue below Wall Street estimates while putting its earnings view at the low end of consensus.

Owens-Illinois Inc.'s (OI) third-quarter profit jumped 61% on cost cutting and earnings at the container manufacturer beat expectations. Chairman and Chief Executive Al Stroucken said seasonal volume trends and production cuts to reduce inventories will likely lead to lower earnings sequentially in the fourth quarter.

Questar Corp.'s (STR) third-quarter profit tumbled 52%, as the oil-and-gas company's results were hurt by lower natural-gas prices. But results topped analysts' expectations and the company boosted its profit target for the year.

Symantec Corp.'s (SYMC) fiscal second-quarter profit rose 19% on rising margins and strong sales in its consumer segment as results beat its expectations. The security-software company also said it would buy back up to $1 billion in shares.

Torchmark Corp.'s (TMK) third-quarter earnings jumped 59% on year-earlier investment losses, but premiums fell. The life insurer cut its 2009 earnings target.

Whiting Petroleum Corp.'s (WLL) third-quarter earnings fell 72% on a bigger-than-expected drop in revenue, though the oil-and-gas explorer's total production in the period topped its forecast. The company also raised its 2009 production forecast.

XL Capital Ltd. (XL) returned to the black in the third quarter, after big losses a year ago from dealings with Syncora Holdings Ltd. (SYCRF), as the property-and-casualty insurer reported core profit well above analysts' expectations.

-By Dow Jones Newswires, write to [e-mail]