Good morning. Here's what you need to know.

  • Bellweather Caterpillar beat expectations when it reported earnings of $2.54 per share, but missed on revenue. It also cut its 2012 forecast and now expects revenue of $66 billion and profits of $9.00 - $9.25 per share.

  • Microsoft is releasing Windows 8 this week, but the operating system has been criticized for being too complicated. Most companies are unlikely to adopt Windows 8, according to a CNBC report.





  • The latest poll from the Wall Street Journal says it's a "dead heat tie" of 47 percent - 47 percent in the presidential race. This erased the three-point lead that president Obama had over Romney at the end of September. Among registered voters however Obama leads 49-44 percent.