HP and Compaq Issue Joint Statement in Response to Packard Foundation Announcement
PALO ALTO, Calif. and HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 7, 2001--Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE:HWP - news) and Compaq Computer Company (NYSE:CPQ - news) jointly issued the following statement:
We are disappointed by the Packard Foundation's preliminary decision. Nevertheless, our responsibility to shareowners, customers and employees requires that we maintain a pragmatic view of the business and a focus on the future. Our firm commitment to this merger stems from our conviction that it will deliver the industry leadership and earnings growth our shareowners expect and our employees deserve.
Over the coming weeks and months, we intend to continue communicating its merits to our broad shareowner base.
About HP
Hewlett-Packard Company -- a leading global provider of computing and imaging solutions and services -- is focused on making technology and its benefits accessible to all. HP had total revenue from continuing operations of $45.2 billion in its 2001 fiscal year. Information about HP and its products can be found on the World Wide Web at www.hp.com.
About Compaq
Compaq Computer Corporation is a leading global provider of enterprise technology and solutions. Compaq designs, develops, manufactures and markets hardware, software, solutions and services, including industry-leading enterprise storage and computing solutions, fault-tolerant business-critical solutions, communication products, and desktop and portable personal computers that are sold in more than 200 countries. Information on Compaq and its products and services is available at www.compaq.com.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND WHERE TO FIND IT
On November 15, 2001, HP filed a Registration Statement with the SEC containing a preliminary joint proxy statement/prospectus regarding the Merger. Investors and security holders of HP and Compaq are urged to read the preliminary joint proxy statement/prospectus filed with the SEC on November 15, 2001 and the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus when it becomes available and any other relevant materials filed by HP or Compaq with the SEC because they contain, or will contain, important information about HP, Compaq and the Merger. The definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus will be sent to the security holders of HP and Compaq seeking their approval of the proposed transaction. The preliminary joint proxy statement/prospectus filed with the SEC on November 15, 2001, the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials (when they become available), and any other documents filed by HP or Compaq with the SEC, may be obtained free of charge at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and security holders may obtain free copies of the documents filed with the SEC by HP by contacting HP Investor Relations, 3000 Hanover Street, Palo Alto, California 94304, 650-857-1501. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Compaq by contacting Compaq Investor Relations, P.O. Box 692000, Houston, Texas 77269-2000, 800-433-2391. Investors and security holders are urged to read the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus and the other relevant materials when they become available before making any voting or investment decision with respect to the Merger.
HP, Carleton S. Fiorina, HP's Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Robert P. Wayman, HP's Executive Vice President, Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer, and certain of HP's other executive officers and directors may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of HP and Compaq in favor of the Merger. The other executive officers and directors of HP who may be participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the Merger have not been determined as of the date of this filing. A description of the interests of Ms. Fiorina, Mr. Wayman and HP's other executive officers and directors in HP is set forth in the proxy statement for HP's 2001 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on January 25, 2001. Investors and security holders may obtain more detailed information regarding the direct and indirect interests of Ms. Fiorina, Mr. Wayman and HP's other executive officers and directors in the Merger by reading the preliminary joint proxy statement/prospectus filed with the SEC on November 15, 2001 and the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus when it becomes available.
Compaq and Michael D. Capellas, Compaq's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and certain of Compaq's other executive officers and directors may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Compaq and HP in favor of the Merger. The other executive officers and directors of Compaq who may be participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the Merger have not been determined as of the date of this filing. A description of the interests of Mr. Capellas and Compaq's other executive officers and directors in Compaq is set forth in the proxy statement for Compaq's 2001 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on March 12, 2001. Investors and security holders may obtain more detailed information regarding the direct and indirect interests of Mr. Capellas and Compaq's other executive officers and directors in the Merger by reading the preliminary joint proxy statement/prospectus filed with the SEC on November 15, 2001 and the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus when it becomes available.
Forward Looking Statement
This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. For example, statements of expected synergies, accretion, timing of closing, industry ranking, execution of integration plans and management and organizational structure are all forward-looking statements. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include the possibility that the market for the sale of certain products and services may not develop as expected; that development of these products and services may not proceed as planned; that the transaction does not close or that the companies may be required to modify aspects of the transaction to achieve regulatory approval; or that prior to the closing of the proposed merger, the businesses of the companies suffer due to uncertainty; that the parties are unable to transition customers, successfully execute their integration strategies, or achieve planned synergies; other risks that are described from time to time in HP's Securities and Exchange Commission reports (including but not limited to the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended Oct. 31, 2000, and subsequently filed reports); and other risks that are described from time to time in Compaq's Securities and Exchange Commission reports (including but not limited to the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000, and subsequently filed reports). If any of these risks or uncertainties materializes or any of these assumptions proves incorrect, HP's and Compaq's results could differ materially from HP's and Compaq's expectations in these statements. HP and Compaq assume no obligation and do not intend to update these forward-looking statements.
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