Reuters - Microsoft Corp posted a lower-than-expected quarterly profit and outlook for its current quarter on Thursday, citing a "tough" environment, and its shares fell 6 percent.

AFP - Microsoft, the world's largest software maker, on Thursday reported a sharp rise in fourth-quarter and fiscal year profit but signaled a weak outlook ahead.

Reuters - IBM reported a 22 percent rise in quarterly profit, blowing past Wall Street targets and raising its 2008 forecast, as emerging markets used its services, software and equipment to expand, and larger countries turned to technology to save money.