Stocks in the news: BP, Viacom, Apple, IBM

The following post rounds up the companies making headlines today:

BP (BP) reported 53 percent lower profit compared to last year's as a result of lower world oil prices. BP said it sees little sign of growing demand in the months ahead. Nonetheless, Europe's second largest oil company managed to top estimates and report better earnings than in the first quarter. Shares declined about 1.5 percent ahead of the bell.

Viacom (VIA) Tuesday reported a 32 percent drop in its second-quarter profit as revenue fell 14 percent amid a weak advertising market, slower video game sales and lower box-office results. The New York-based media conglomerate earnings beat analyst expectations by a penny per share, although it missed the revenue forecast.