Updating: HEWLETT-PACKARD CO. and CENOVUS ENERGY INC.

Article Excerpt

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. CENOVUS ENERGY INC. $34 (www.cenovus.com) has gained 33% since it became a separate company in December 2009. As a result, its long-term debt of $4.6 billion is now a more moderate 18% of its $25.5-billion…