Topic: Growth Stocks

The Wall Street Stock Forecaster Hotline – Friday, August 22, 2008

Article Excerpt

HEWLETT-PACKARD CO. $47.06, New York symbol HPQ, gained 5% this week after it reported earnings that exceeded consensus forecasts. In its third fiscal quarter ended July 31, 2008, earnings rose 21.1% to $0.86 a share from $0.71 a year earlier. Most of the gains came from lower operating costs. Revenue rose 10.2%, to $28.0 billion from $25.4 billion, thanks to strong sales of notebook computers. Growing demand for software and services is also helping Hewlett offset its reliance on printers. As well, the company benefited from the weak U.S. dollar, which makes its products more affordable in overseas markets. Hewlett-Packard is a buy. VERIGY LTD. $18.50, Nasdaq symbol VRGY, reported sales and earnings for its latest fiscal quarter that exceeded consensus expectations. However, the stock fell 16% on Friday after the company predicted lower earnings for the current quarter. In its third fiscal quarter ended July 31, 2008, earnings per share fell 42.0%, to $0.29 from $0.50 a year earlier. Revenues fell…