Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT ) declared a 23% increase in its quarterly dividend, to 16 cents a share. The increase had been anticipated as the company’s stock price has stagnated over the last couple of years. In other news, Adobe Systems (NASDAQ:ADBE) plunged some 20% in pre-market trading after the software company issued a forecast that fell below Wall Street’s expectations. Adobe also reported a third-quarter profit of $230.1 million, or 44 cents a share, up from $136 million, or 26 cents, earned in the same period during fiscal 2009. -MarketWatch Mortgage applications fell 1.4% in the week ending Sept. 17th, dragged down by a decline in the number of applications for loans to purchase houses. Applications for loans to purchase a home… . . . → Full Story: Story Stocks: Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), Adobe Systems (NASDAQ:ADBE), General Mills (NYSE:GIS)