While this is to take with a grain of salt (I mean the source :)).
I do not think it would be surprising to have both console very close in term of pre-orders at this point of time (in NA/UK). Microsoft PR fiasco is behind and they did a lot of to fix that.
Of course for Sony fans it is not the case and they hate Microsoft even more but I think it is actually just them..
For the Xbox fans there everything is back to normal and the console is even more attractive than before (with the different new features and games announce in the past months). I would also add that casual "gamers (I hate this term) and families in general (again, other than fanboys) are certainly looking forward for what the Xbox One has to offer.
We will see in November anyway. But I think it will be an great launch for both console; interesting time ahead :)
Edit: And for the "financial/accountinh" reason; it is obvious with their Q results being shared in 4 days that they are not divulging anything regarding their performance yet... This is quite understandable.
Edit: Added NA/UK :)
