Stocks in the news: Microsoft, Honeywell, Fortune Brands, Whirlpool

Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) on Friday reported lower quarterly earnings of 40 cents a share, but that surpassed analyst estimates by 8 cents a share. The maker of Windows software and Xbox games reported fiscal first-quarter earnings fell 18 percent to $3.57 billion from $4.37 billion a year ago. Revenue fell 14 percent to just under $13 billion. On Thursday, the iconic software maker unveiled the latest version of its Windows operating system and opened its first-ever retail store in Scottsdale, Ariz. Shares of the company were higher ahead of Wall Street's open, up more than 9 percent to $29.08 a share.

Honeywell International Inc. (HON) reported that earnings slipped in the third quarter amid a decline for demand of its products within all its divisions. The industrial conglomerate earned $608 million, or 80 cents a share, in the three months ending Sept. 30, down 15 percent from $719 million, or 97 cents a share, a year ago. Still, per-share earnings exceeded analyst expectations of 72 cents a share, according to a consensus estimate of 19 analysts, polled by Zacks.com. The company said it expects to earn 91 cents a share in the fourth quarter. Honeywell shares were up 1.4 percent to $39.05 in pre-market trading.