| | Dell, IBM Top HP On Potential Enterprise Weakness...
05.09.05, 10:08 AM ET
Forbes.com
Banc of America Securities said it "wouldn't be surprised" to hear some updated financial comments from Hewlett-Packard (nyse: HPQ - news - people ) this week, citing "potential enterprise weakness." Banc of America said it prefers both Dell (nasdaq: DELL - news - people ) and IBM (nyse: IBM - news - people ) over HP. Dell "was already punished post its analyst day, when management readily admitted the quarter was a struggle," the research firm said. As the PC market slows, "we would rather be involved with the cost leader, not cost laggard," Banc of America said, noting that Dell has about a 400 basis-point cost advantage over HP. Regarding IBM, the firm said IBM tops HP because IBM already missed the first quarter and its stock has felt the impact. Also, IBM and HP shares are trading at the same valuation and HP's businesses "are under much higher level of price competition than IBM's." Banc of America said that before it gets bullish on HP, it needs to see Street estimates "be lowered to a more realistic level." The firm said, "If HP offers only a small reduction in its estimates for fiscal 2005, we believe the stock will move higher." |
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