Microsoft reports lower profit and revenue ahead of Windows 8 launch

Microsoft earnings fall 22%; sales also down
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch)
Microsoft Corp. on Thursday reported a fiscal first-quarter profit of $4.47 billion, or 53 cents a share, on revenue of $16 billion
During the same period a year ago, the software giant earned $5.74 billion, or 68 cents a share, on $17.37 billion in revenue
Analysts surveyed by FactSet had forecast Microsoft to earn 56 cents a share on $16.5 billion in sales for the quarter ended Sept. 30
The results came out ahead of Microsoft's upcoming release of the Windows 8 operating system, set for Oct. 26