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Technology Stocks : Hewlett-Packard (HPQ)
HPQ 24.76-2.6%Dec 12 3:59 PM EST

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To: Oeconomicus who wrote (2325)11/21/2002 4:18:20 PM
From: Dave B   of 4345
 
Bob,

Though I don't have exact figures, earnings on the S&P 500 have grown by about 7% p.a. since 1934

Even if those numbers are correct, I'll bet that most of that growth came from new companies that were creating and expanding new markets that were added to the index -- not the old-line, "we-can-cut-our-expenses-to-increase-profits" companies that had been there a while. You can really only cut costs for a year or two with any significant impact.

It might have been better to have simply jettisoned the money-losing businesses and keep the winners and higher-margin businesses (in HP's case, printers, services, etc.), but since Carly, with the acquisition, has firmly staked their ground in the second camp, even a 7% growth rate for them in earnings is now suspect IMO.

Dave
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