Rumors: Hewlett-Packard, Carl Icahn, a Breakup

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By Jon C. Ogg Published

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Hewlett-Packard Co. (NYSE: HPQ) can use all of the good news, or good rumors, that it can get. After all, the situation has turned into a death-spiral. MarketWatch is one of the driving forces this Monday, but not the only force. The media outlet reported that there are market rumors that Carl Icahn is building up a stake in the company.

Driving for change would not be something new here. Short seller Jim Chanos highlighted all of the big risks already, long before the wave of the most recent problems were formally brought to light. Chanos has made a fortune betting against Hewlett-Packard.

HP has denied rumors (or speculation) that a breakup is back on the table. Topeka Capital Markets has said it is time for the company to do something. Can an activist investor move a board that has a really bad record but with a chairman that is deeply entrenched?

Shares of HP are up more than 3% at $14.27 on Monday, against a 52-week range of $11.35 to $30.00.

JON C. OGG

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

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About the Author Jon C. Ogg →

Jon Ogg has been a financial news analyst since 1997. Mr. Ogg set up one of the first audio squawk box services for traders called TTN, which he sold in 2003. He has previously worked as a licensed broker to some of the top U.S. and E.U. financial institutions, managed capital, and has raised private capital at the seed and venture stage. He has lived in Copenhagen, Denmark, as well as New York and Chicago, and he now lives in Houston, Texas. Jon received a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance at University of Houston in 1992. www.247wallst.com.

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