Afternoon Markets: Microsoft woes weigh on Dow

Wall Street share prices fell back in early trade as poor results from Microsoft dragged tech stocks downwards.

The Dow Jones fell 51.62 points (0.57%) to 9,017.67 shortly after opening. Microsoft saw its shares plunge 10.25% to $22.94 after revealing profits fell by a third in the second quarter. The results had a knock-on effect for other technology firms, with Intel shares down 2.31%, while United Technologies fell 2.27%. American Express shares fell 3.94% to $28.29 as the firm revealed revenues fell by 18%. Johnson & Johnson shares climbed after the firm settled a patent infringement case relating to birth control pills. Generic drug maker Teva will have to pay the firm an undisclo...