The board of flagging PC market leader Hewlett Packard is reportedly considering a break-up of the company’s various divisions in order to maximize value for shareholders, according to Quartz on Tuesday. Sources close to the situation told TPM that HP’s current desire is to keep the company together.
Reached for comment on the Quartz report, an HP spokesperson told TPM that: “HP doesn’t comment on rumor or speculation.”
The news comes on the same day that HP’s chief U.S. PC-making rival Dell announced its plans to pursue a leveraged buyout and take the company private to deal after suffering years of falling sales and declining market share. HP posted a statement on its website saying it would seek to court Dell customers during and after Dell’s transition:
“Dell has a very tough road ahead. The company faces an extended period of uncertainty and transition that will not be good for its customers. And with a significant debt load, Dell’s ability to invest in new products and services will be extremely limited. Leveraged buyouts tend to leave existing customers and innovation at the curb. We believe Dell’s customers will now be eager to explore alternatives, and HP plans to take full advantage of that opportunity.”
