Microsoft Corp stock has been on a rollercoaster ride since the software giant reported an 88 per cent jump in earnings a week ago, and it fell again yesterday as executives prepared to meet with financial analysts.

After hitting $149.50 on July 17th the day Microsoft reported earnings of

$1.05 billion, in line with expectations on Wall Street the stock has lost ground. It fell another $2 to $139.44 in active trading on Nasdaq.

The stock has fallen because Microsoft did not produce a "blow-out" quarter, when it far surpasses analysts' earnings forecasts, as it did in the prior quarter. And as they have done before, officials warned that earnings growth will slow.