HEWLETT PACKARD CO
8-K, 1998-05-20
COMPUTER & OFFICE EQUIPMENT
Previous: HANNAFORD BROTHERS CO, S-8, 1998-05-20
Next: HEWLETT PACKARD CO, 8-K, 1998-05-20



                               
                                 
                   SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                         Washington D.C. 20549
                               
                              FORM 8-K
                               
                           CURRENT REPORT
                  PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                 THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                                
  Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 13, 1998
  
  HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY
  (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
  
     Delaware                001-04423          94-1081436
 (State or other            (Commission        (IRS Employer    
  Jurisdiction of           File Number)     Identification No.)
  Incorporation)
  
  3000 Hanover Street, Palo Alto, California           94304
  (Address of principal executive offices)          (Zip Code)
  
  Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (650) 857-1501
  
                             N/A
  ------------------------------------------------------------
  (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
  
  Item 5. Other Events.
  
  1.   In a release dated May 13, 1998, Hewlett-Packard Company 
  (NYSE:HWP) announced that its second fiscal quarter earnings would
  be below expectations.  The news release is attached as Exhibit 99.1.

  2.   In a release dated May 15, 1998 Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE:HWP)
  announced its financial results for the period ended April 30, 1998,
  including an unaudited consolidated condensed balance sheet as of 
  April 30, 1998 and an unaudited consolidated condensed statement of
  earnings for the period ended April 30, 1998.  The news release is 
  attached as Exhibit 99.2.
  
  Item. 7.     Financial Statements and Exhibits.
  
  Exhibit No.     Description
  
  99.1            News release dated May 13, 1998

  99.2            News release dated May 15, 1998.   
  
  
                               SIGNATURE           
  
       Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
  1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be
  signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
  
                                        HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY
  
  
  
  Dated: May 20, 1998                   By: /s/ S.T. Jack Brigham III
                                            -------------------------
                                            S.T. Jack Brigham III
                                            Senior Vice President
                                            Corporate Affairs
                                            and General Counsel
  
  

                                                                Exhibit 99.1  
                          
              [Logo of Hewlett-Packard Company appears here]
   
  EDITORIAL CONTACTS:

  Steve Beitler
  (650) 857-2387
  [email protected]

  Rhea Feldman
  (650) 857-3989
  [email protected]  


                    HP COMMENTS ON SECOND-QUARTER PERFORMANCE

       PALO ALTO, Calif., May 13, 1998 - Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE:
  HWP) today said that, based on preliminary results, earnings for the
  1998 fiscal year's second quarter, which ended April 30, will be below
  expectations.  Final results will be announced Friday, May 15, at 5:00
  a.m. Pacific Daylight Time.

       "While we did achieve good revenue and order growth this quarter,
  we are disappointed that our early calculations show earnings per share
  coming in well short of expectations," said Lewis E. Platt, HP chairman,
  president and chief executive officer.     

       The Company said that earnings are expected to be approximately
  65 cents per share.  The company earned 75 cents per share in the same
  period last year.

       HP said that the product mix, as well as pricing pressures in the
  PC business, were significant factors in the company's results.  HP also
  said that economic weakness in Asia affected a number of its businesses
   -- particularly measurement systems, whose products typically have
  higher gross margins.

       The company noted that the quarter's expected earnings include the
  impact of previously announced printer-manufacturing consolidations in
  North America, effects associated with the acquisition of Heartstream, Inc.
  and certain other charges.

       "We're pleased that our customers continue to respond enthusiastically
  to our products," said Platt.  "However, we clearly have more work to do
  to translate our strong growth into acceptable profitability."

  About HP
  --------

       Hewlett-Packard Company is a leading global provider of computing,
  Internet and intranet solutions, services, communications products and
  measurement solutions, all of which are recognized for excellence in
  quality and support.  HP has 123,300 employees and had revenue of $42.9
  billion in its 1997 fiscal year.


       Information about HP and its products can be found on the World Wide
  Web at http://www.hp.com.


       Current and historical financial information now is available at HP's
  Financial Online site on the World Wide Web.  Address: http://hp.com/go/
  financials.

                                  # # #

                                                                Exhibit 99.2


                [Hewlett-Packard Company Logo appears here]

  EDITORIAL CONTACTS:

  Steve Beitler
  (650) 857-2387
  [email protected]

  Rhea Feldman
  (650) 857-3989
  [email protected]


            HP REVENUE UP 16 PERCENT; EARNINGS DECLINE 13 PERCENT
  
       PALO ALTO, Calif., May 15, 1998   Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE:
  HWP) today reported a 16 percent increase in net revenue, a 12 percent
  increase in orders and a 13 percent decline in net earnings for the 1998
  fiscal year's second quarter, which ended April 30.
  
        Net earnings this quarter were $685 million, compared with $784
  million in the second quarter last year.  Earnings per share (EPS) on a
  diluted basis(1) was 65 cents on approximately 1.08 billion shares of
  common stock and common-stock equivalents outstanding.  This compares
  with diluted EPS of 75 cents on approximately 1.05 billion shares and
  equivalents in the second quarter last year.
  
        "While our solid revenue and order growth this quarter shows that
  we're addressing real customer needs, our earnings performance fell well
  short of expectations," said Lewis E. Platt, HP chairman, president and
  chief executive officer.  "Profitability was down compared to the
  year-ago quarter because of pricing pressure in PCs, troubled Asian
  economies and our unacceptable operating-expense growth. While some of
  the factors are not unique to HP, we clearly need to improve our ability
  to translate our leadership position in many markets into equally strong
  results."
  
  Business Summary
  ----------------
 
       Net revenue for the quarter was $12.0 billion, compared with $10.3
  billion in the year-ago quarter.  Net revenue in the United States was
  $5.3 billion, an increase of 20 percent compared with a year ago, while
  revenue from outside the United States rose 14 percent to $6.7 billion. 
  In Europe, revenue totaled $4.1 billion, an increase of 19 percent.  In
  Asia Pacific, revenue grew 1 percent and was $1.9 billion.  In Canada
  and Latin America, combined revenue grew 24 percent and was $700
  million.  Currency effects reduced the company's reported revenue growth
  of 16 percent by about 5 percentage points.  
  
       Orders for the quarter were $11.6 billion, compared with $10.4
  billion in the same period last year.  Orders in the United States rose
  16 percent compared with the year-ago quarter and were $5.3 billion. 
  Orders from outside the United States increased 8 percent and were $6.3
  billion.
  
  Computer Business
  -----------------
  
       Net revenue in the computer business increased 18 percent over
  last year's second quarter and totaled $10.0 billion.  Orders in the
  computer business rose 16 percent over the same quarter last year and
  were $9.8 billion.
  
  Computing Platforms 
  -------------------
 
       In the PC business, revenue growth was strong.  Revenue for HP
  Pavilion home PCs more than doubled, and the company's palmtop PCs
  achieved robust growth, driven by demand for new Windows(R) CE-based
  products.  
  
       Revenue and orders for HP Kayak PC Workstation products -- which
  are based on the Microsoft(R) Windows NT(R) operating system declined
  in comparison with a very strong year-ago quarter and, in part, in
  anticipation of new Pentium(R) II-based systems.  Orders for UNIX(R)
  system workstations also were down. 
  
       In the server business, HP NetServer systems achieved a solid
  order increase, driven by demand at the low end.  These servers regained
  the No. 2 worldwide market-share position, according to IDC's preliminary
  estimates for the quarter ending March 31, 1998.  
  
       For UNIX system servers, revenue growth was excellent, and order
  growth was good.  Declines in base-system prices were more than offset
  by revenue from fully configured systems.  There was excellent response
  to the company's new high-end system, the HP 9000 V2250 Enterprise
  Server.  Midrange systems showed strong order growth in terms of units
  but declined in terms of dollars.  Enterprise storage products achieved
  very good order growth this quarter.
  
  Hardcopy Products
  -----------------

       HP's laser printer business achieved excellent revenue growth,
  with strength across the product platform and in supplies.  Growth was
  driven by strong acceptance of new products, including the HP LaserJet
  3100 all-in-one product and the recently introduced HP LaserJet 8000
  family of high-end printers.  Revenue growth also was strong for HP
  Color LaserJet printers; the LaserJet 4000 printer; and the low-end,
  LaserJet 6L printer.
  
       The company's inkjet business posted strong overall revenue
  growth, with an excellent increase in demand for supplies.  There was
  very favorable initial industry response to the HP 2000C Professional
  Series color printer, which features a breakthrough ink-delivery system. 
  Market acceptance of the HP DeskJet 720 printer was excellent.
  
  Services and Software
  ---------------------

       Services and software achieved good overall revenue this quarter. 
  Customer support and financing services grew well, with particular
  strength in multivendor support.  New Internet software offerings are
  receiving strong customer acceptance, while demand for HP OpenView
  network- and system-management software remained excellent.
  
  Information Storage
  -------------------

       Revenue and order growth in information storage was outstanding. 
  Orders more than tripled for the HP SureStore CD-Writer Plus drive. 
  Demand also was brisk for high-end digital audio tape (DAT) products.
  
  Test and Measurement 
  --------------------

       Revenue in test and measurement increased by 5 percent, while
  orders decreased 10 percent.  The test-and-measurement business was hurt
  by economic conditions in Asia and their impact on capital investments
  by major customers.  Bright spots in this business included consulting
  and services, oscilloscopes, as well as digital- and mixed-signal IC
  test equipment.
  
  Components, Medical and Chemical Analysis
  -----------------------------------------

       The components business posted a 16 percent revenue increase and
  10 percent growth in orders.  Revenue in medical products grew 9
  percent, while orders declined by 1 percent.  Chemical-analysis revenue
  increased 11 percent, and orders declined by 4 percent.  
  
  Costs and Expenses
  ------------------
 
       Cost of goods sold this quarter was 68.3 percent of revenue,
  compared with 65.2 in the year-ago quarter and 66.3 percent in the first
  quarter of fiscal 1998. "The increase was driven by intensifying pricing
  pressures, a continuing shift to the low end in many product lines and
  restructuring charges for manufacturing consolidation," said Robert P.
  Wayman, HP executive vice president and chief financial officer. 
  "Without restructuring charges, our ratio for cost of goods sold would
  have been 67.6 percent of revenue." 
  
       Operating expenses rose 18 percent compared with the same quarter
  last year and were 24.5 percent of revenue.  This compares with 24.1
  percent in the second quarter of last year and 22.7 percent in the first
  quarter of fiscal 1998.
  
       "Expenses were affected by acquisitions and stock-price effects,
  as well as investments to support important product introductions," said
  Wayman. "Nonetheless, we're not where we need to be.  Given the pressure
  on gross margin and slowing in some of our businesses, we will
  aggressively adjust our spending plans while we continue to execute
  existing expense-management programs, such as consolidations." 
  
  Asset Management
  ----------------

       Return on assets for the quarter was 9.3 percent, compared with
  9.9 percent in the year-ago quarter and 9.6 percent in the prior
  quarter.  The decline was due to lower net earnings and increased cash
  balances.
  
       Inventory was 14.5 percent of revenue, compared with 15.7 percent
  in the year-ago quarter and 16.0 percent in the first quarter of fiscal
  1998. 
  
       "Although return on assets declined this quarter, we are pleased
  with asset management overall," said Wayman.  "We are making real
  progress on inventory.  Our supply-chain efforts, particularly in PCs,
  have helped us achieve our lowest inventory-to-sales ratio in five
  years."
  
       As a percentage of net revenue, accounts receivable was 18.1
  percent.  This compares with 17.2 percent in the same quarter last year
  and 18.9 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 1998.  Net property,
  plant and equipment was 13.9 percent of revenue, compared with 14.6
  percent in the second quarter last year and 14.1 percent in the prior
  quarter.  The company's strong performance on asset management was a key
  driver of excellent cash generation this quarter.
  
  Six-month Review
  ----------------

       For the six months ended April 30, net earnings declined 5 percent
  to $1.6 billion, compared with $1.7 billion in the first half of fiscal
  1997.  Net earnings per share was $1.51, a 7 percent decline compared
  with the $1.62 the company earned in last year's first half.
  
       Net revenue increased 16 percent over the first half of last year
  and totaled $23.9 billion.  Net revenue in the United States was $10.6
  billion, an increase of 21 percent over last year's first half, while
  net revenue from outside the United States rose 12 percent to $13.3
  billion.
  
       Orders for the six-month period were $24.0 billion, an increase of
  12 percent compared with the same period last year.  U.S. orders were
  $10.7 billion, an increase of 21 percent, while orders from outside the
  United States grew 6 percent and totaled $13.3 billion.
  
  Business Outlook
  ----------------

       "While we're disappointed with this quarter's earnings, our solid
  revenue and order growth tells us that our strategies and product
  programs are on target," said Platt.  "We're encouraged by revenue
  growth in UNIX system servers, very strong demand for our home PCs, and
  increased momentum in our printer and information-storage businesses.
  
       "However, the pricing and competitive environment remains very
  challenging, especially in PCs and printers.  The situation in Asia is 
  still difficult and uncertain.  We must make significant improvements on
  operating-expense management and, at the same time, continue to sharpen
  our focus on customers and accelerate the pace of new-business creation. 
  HP's people bring tremendous talent and energy to these challenges,
  which we intend to address head-on."  
  
  About HP
  --------

       HP is the official information-technology hardware and maintenance
  supplier to the 1998 World Cup soccer tournament.
  
       Hewlett-Packard Company is a leading global provider of computing,
  Internet and intranet solutions, services, communications products and
  measurement solutions, all of which are recognized for excellence in
  quality and support.  HP has 125,300 employees and had revenue of $42.9
  billion in its 1997 fiscal year. 
  
       Information about HP and its products can be found on the World
  Wide Web at http://www.hp.com.
  
  This news release contains forward-looking statements, based on
  current expectations, that involve risks and uncertainties that could
  cause HP's results to differ materially.  In addition to the factors
  discussed above, other risks include the timely development, production
  and acceptance of new products and services and their feature sets; the
  challenge of managing asset levels, including inventory; the flow of
  products into third-party distribution channels; and the other risks
  detailed from time to time in the company's Securities and Exchange
  Commission reports, including, but not limited to, the Annual Report on
  Form 10-K for the year ended Oct. 31, 1997, and the Quarterly Report on
  Form 10-Q for the quarter ended Jan. 31, 1998.
  
                                   # # #
                               
  (1)  The company has reported earnings per share on a diluted basis   
       since fiscal 1994. The calculation of diluted earnings per share      
       includes the effect of common-stock equivalents, such as stock options, 
       while the calculation of basic earnings per share does not.
  
  Microsoft is a U.S. registered trademark of Microsoft Corp.
  
  Windows is a U.S. registered trademark of Microsoft Corp.
  
  Windows NT is a U.S. registered trademark of Microsoft Corp.
  
  Pentium is a U.S. registered trademark of Intel Corp.
  
  UNIX is a registered trademark of The Open Group.
  
 <PAGE>
   


                 HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
               CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS
                              (Unaudited)
  
                 (In millions except per share amounts)
                 
                                       Three months         Percent
                                       ended April 30       increase
                                     1998         1997      (decrease)
                                     ----         ----      ----------
   
  Net revenue:
    Products                       $ 10,338     $  8,833
    Services                          1,702        1,507
                                    -------      -------
            Total                    12,040       10,340        16     
    
  
  Costs and expenses:
    Cost of products sold
      and services                    8,224        6,743
    Research and development            880          744
    Selling, general and 
      administrative                  2,064        1,751
                                    -------      -------
            Total                    11,168        9,238        21     
     
  
  Earnings from operations              872        1,102       (21)    
      
  Interest income & other, net          134           69
  Interest expense                       59           51
                                    -------      -------
  Earnings before taxes                 947        1,120       (15)    
      
  Provision for taxes                   262          336        
                                    -------      -------
  Net earnings                      $   685      $   784       (13)    
    
                                    =======      =======
  Net earnings per share:                                    
    Basic (A)                       $   .66      $   .77       (14)
                                    =======      =======
    Diluted(A)                      $   .65          .75       (13)
                                    =======      =======
                                    
  Cash dividends declared per
    share                           $   .14     $    .12
                                    =======      =======
  Average shares used in 
    computing basic net
    earnings per share                1,039        1,017
                                    =======      =======
  Average shares and equivalents
    used in computing diluted net 
    earnings per share                1,078        1,046
                                    =======      =======
  Orders:                          
    United States                   $ 5,338     $  4,586        16     
    International                     6,276        5,808         8 
                                    -------      -------
            Total                   $11,614     $ 10,394        12 
                                    =======      =======
  
      (A)  The company has reported earnings per share on a diluted basis
           since fiscal 1994.  The calculation of diluted earnings per share
           includes the effect of common-stock equivalents, such as stock 
           options, while the calculation of basic earnings per share does 
           not.

 <PAGE>
     


                    HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS
                                 (Unaudited)
  
                     (In millions except per share amounts)

                                        Six months         Percent  
                                      ended April 30       increase
                                     1998        1997     (decrease) 
                                     ----        ----     ----------
                                                        
  Net revenue:                       
    Products                      $ 20,496    $ 17,658
    Services                         3,360       2,977
                                   -------     ------- 
            Total                   23,856      20,635        16 
  
  Costs and expenses:
    Cost of products sold
      and services                  16,061      13,437
    Research and development         1,683       1,443
    Selling, general and 
      administrative                 3,936       3,372
                                   -------     ------- 
            Total                   21,680      18,252        19
   
  Earnings from operations           2,176       2,383        (9)
  
  Interest income & other, net         224         145 
  Interest expense                     126         105  
                                   -------     ------- 
  Earnings before taxes              2,274       2,423        (6)
  
  Provision for taxes                  660         727
                                   -------     ------- 
  Net earnings                     $ 1,614     $ 1,696        (5)
                                   =======     =======
  Net earnings per share                                     
    Basic(A)                       $  1.55     $  1.67        (7)
                                   =======     =======
    Diluted(A)                     $  1.51     $  1.62        (7)
                                   =======     =======
  Cash dividends declared per
    share                          $   .28     $   .24
                                   =======     =======
  Average shares used in 
    computing basic net  
    earnings per share               1,039       1,017
                                   =======     =======
  Average shares and equivalents 
    used in computing diluted net 
    earnings per share               1,077       1,047
                                   =======     =======
  Orders:                          
    United States                  $10,677     $ 8,801         21       
    International                   13,328      12,567          6
                                   -------     ------- 
            Total                  $24,005     $21,368         12
                                   =======     =======
  
  
       (A) The company has reported earnings per share on a diluted basis 
           since fiscal 1994.  The calculation of diluted earnings per share
           includes the effect of common-stock equivalents, such as stock 
           options, while the calculation of basic earnings per share does 
           not. 
  
  
  Hewlett-Packard Company, operating in a single industry segment,
  designs, manufactures and services products and systems for measurement,
  computation and communications.  The table below provides supplemental
  information showing orders and net revenue by groupings of similar
  products and services.
  
 <PAGE>
   


                  HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                    Orders and Net Revenue by Groupings
                      of Similar Products and Services
                               (Unaudited)
     
                              (In millions)
  
                                          Three months       Six months 
  For the periods ended April 30         1998     1997      1998     1997 
                                         ----     ----      ----     ----
  ORDERS *
  
  Computer products, service         
   and support                          $ 9,785  $ 8,467   $19,977   $17,525
       
  Test and measurement products
   and services                             993    1,101     2,282     2,207
  
  Medical electronic equipment
   and service                              338      343       687       656
  
  Electronic components                     281      256       582       509
        
  Chemical analysis and service             217      227       477       471
                                        -------  -------   -------   -------
                 Total                  $11,614  $10,394   $24,005   $21,368
                                        =======  =======   =======   ======= 
  NET REVENUE *
  
  Computer products, service            $10,045  $ 8,491   $19,954   $17,077
   and support

  Test and measurement products 
   and services                           1,123    1,068     2,197     2,025
   
  Medical electronic equipment 
   and service                              352      322       706       643
  
  Electronic components                     267       21       520       445
  
  Chemical analysis and service             253      228       479       445
                                        -------  -------   -------   -------
                 Total                  $12,040  $10,340   $23,856   $20,635
                                        =======  =======   =======   =======
  
      * In fiscal 1998, the company's Integrated Systems Division was      
        transferred from the computer products, service and support grouping
        to the test and measurement products and service grouping.  Fiscal      
        1997 orders and net revenue have been restated to be consistent with   
        the new presentation.  The change did not affect the company's total
        orders or net revenue.

 <PAGE>
       


                   HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                    CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET
  
                       (In millions except par value)  
                              (Unaudited)
                
                  ASSETS                       April 30     Oct. 31
                                                 1998         1997
                                                 ----         ----
 
   Current assets:
    Cash and cash equivalents                  $ 4,387     $ 3,072
    Short-term investments                         650       1,497
    Accounts and notes receivable                8,366       8,173
    Inventories                                  6,700       6,763
    Other current assets                         1,558       1,442
                                               -------     -------
      Total current assets                      21,661      20,947
                                               -------      -------
  
  Property, plant and equipment, net             6,396        6,312
  
  Long-term investments and other assets         4,730        4,490
                                               -------      -------
                                               $32,787      $31,749
                                               =======      =======
  
        LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
  
  Current liabilities:
    Notes payable and short-term borrowing     $ 1,154      $ 1,226
    Accounts payable                             3,084        3,185
    Employee compensation and benefits           1,945        1,723
    Taxes on earnings                            1,796        1,515
    Deferred revenues                            1,325        1,152
    Other accrued liabilities                    2,540        2,418
                                               -------      -------
      Total current liabilities                 11,844       11,219
                                               -------      -------
  
  Long-term debt                                 2,448        3,158
                                               -------      -------
  Other liabilities                               1,276        1,217
                                               -------      -------
  Shareholders' equity:
    Common stock and capital in excess
      of $1 par value                            1,184        1,187
    Retained earnings                           16,035       14,968
                                               -------      -------
      Total shareholders' equity                17,219       16,155
                                               -------      -------
                                               $32,787      $31,749
                                               =======      =======
  
                                     #  #  #


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission