Google and Microsoft earnings disappoint

For a long time,Google and Microsoft have been earning too much in technology industry.But now,two of the world's biggest technology companies have badly missed earnings expectations for the second quarter.

Google reported profits of $9.7bn (£6.4bn), up 16% from a year ago but less than analysts were expecting.Microsoft made $4.5bn in the second quarter, but announced that it would take a $900m charge relating to poor sales of its Surface tablet.This is from BBC news.

Shares in both companies fell by more than 4% in after-hours trading.

Declining PC sales - which recently saw their longest slide in five years - have hurt Microsoft's efforts to boost its business with the sale of its Windows 8 operating software.

Last week, the company also announced that it would cut the price of its Surface tablet amid sluggish sales.