These tech picks are worthwhile holds

Article Excerpt

On November 1, 2015, the old Hewlett-Packard Co. split into two firms—HP Inc. and Hewlett-Packard Enterprise. For every share they held in the old HP, shareholders received one share in each of the new companies. HP is now up over 150% since the split, while HP Enterprise has gained just 7%. We still like both, although each will probably make little progress in the short term if the global economy slows. HP INC. $35 is a hold. The company (New York symbol HPQ; Manufacturing sector; Shares outstanding: 963.7 million; Market cap: $33.7 billion; Dividend yield: 3.1%; Takeover Target Rating: Medium; www.hp.com) is a leading maker of personal computers and home and office printers. In HP’s fiscal 2024 third quarter, ended July 31, 2024, revenue rose 2.4%, to $13.51 billion from $13.20 billion a year earlier. Personal computer sales (66% of the total) rose 4.9%. However, sales of printers, ink and related products (34%) declined 2.8%. That hurts HP’s earnings, as printing supplies generate higher profit margins than…