However, that means earnings would handily beat estimates in the fourth quarter.

Over the past four quarters, 68 percent of companies beat estimates.

Still, excluding some items, Newell earned 71 cents per share and beat estimates.

Allis-Chalmers reported a 5 percent fall in net income but comfortably beat estimates.

Whirlpool, the world's largest appliance maker, reported earnings that beat estimates.

The margin by which it beat estimates was bigger than some others, though.

A number above 2 percent suggests a strong likelihood the company will beat estimates.

In a typical quarter, 62 percent of companies beat estimates.

Historically, 64 percent of companies beat estimates in a quarter.

Amazon's global retail sales also beat estimates in the quarter.

Smaller rival Bunge also beat estimates for profit on Wednesday.

Of those, 17 reported lower-than-expected sales, while nine beat estimates.

Its cloud unit, Amazon Web Services, only narrowly beat estimates.

Among individual stocks, Belgian chemicals group Solvay SOLB.BR rose after first-quarter operating profit beat estimates.

At least 10 brokerages raised price targets after Uber posted quarterly results that beat estimates.

Citigroup beat estimates thanks to its global consumer business.