Topic: Growth Stocks

HEWLETT-PACKARD CO. $14 – New York symbol HPQ

HEWLETT-PACKARD CO. $14 (www.hp.com) recently wrote down its August 2008 purchase of Electronic Data Systems, provides computer services to large government agencies and corporations. It also wrote down its August 2011 purchase of U.K.-based Autonomy Corp., whose products help businesses organize a variety of information. These purchases pushed up Hewlett’s long-term debt from $7.7 billion in 2008 to $21.8 billion at October 31, 2012. That’s a high 77% of its market cap. As well, the company’s big restructuring plan will probably eat into its cash holdings of $11.3 billion, or $5.75 a share. Due to its weaker balance sheet, we’ve cut Hewlett’s TSINetwork Rating from “Above Average” to “Average.” Hold.

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