Shares in Hewlett-Packard Co climbed sharply after the company again managed to exceed earnings expectations than-expected earnings and orders soared a whopping 34% in the US and 35% outside for a total of $8,000m – and this at a company already heading for $30,000m turnover this year. Analysts said the consensus share earnings estimate on Wall Street was for the third quarter had been $1.01 a share so the $1.09 reported was stunning. The shares added $3.25 at $81.125. It was an excellent quarter in most respects, said Lewis Platt, Hewlett-Packard’s chairman and chief executive. Order and revenue growth was outstanding, helped in part by the timing of some product introductions, which mitigated the impact of normal seasonal factors. This quarter’s outstanding order growth puts us in a strong position as we start the fourth quarter, he said.Inventory growth in part reflects efforts to increase supplies to meet demand. We’ll continue to work closely with suppliers to address this issue, he said. He added that the company’s sales were growing faster than many markets we compete in. Computer business orders rose 39% to $6,300m.
