Hewlett-Packard neemt Compaq over

Hewlett Packard heeft vanochtend bevestigd dat de computergigant concurrent Compaq overneemt voor een bedrag van 25 miljard dollar in aandelen. Na de overname, die in het eerste kwartaal van volgend jaar voltooid zal worden, ontstaat het op één na grootste computerconcern ter wereld. Tezamen genereren de twee bedrijven een omzet van 87 miljard dollar per jaar, bijna gelijk aan de 90 miljard omzet van IBM. De nieuwe HP zal marktleider zijn op het gebied van servers, PC's, handhelds, printers en imaging-apparatuur. De overname zou de bedrijven op jaarbasis een kosten-besparing van 2,5 miljard dollar kunnen opleveren:

Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE: HWP) and Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE: CPQ) announced today a definitive merger agreement to create an $87 billion global technology leader. The new HP will offer the industry's most complete set of IT products and services for both businesses and consumers, with a commitment to serving customers with open systems and architectures. The combined company will have #1 worldwide revenue positions in servers, access devices (PCs and hand-helds) and imaging and printing, as well as leading revenue positions in IT services, storage and management software.

The merger is expected to generate cost synergies reaching approximately $2.5 billion annually and drive a significantly improved cost structure. Based on both companies' last four reported fiscal quarters, the new HP would have approximate pro forma assets of $56.4 billion, annual revenues of $87.4 billion and annual operating earnings of $3.9 billion. It would also have operations in more than 160 countries and over 145,000 employees.

[...] Under the terms of the agreement, unanimously approved by both Boards of Directors, Compaq shareowners will receive 0.6325 of a newly issued HP share for each share of Compaq, giving the merger a current value of approximately $25 billion. HP shareowners will own approximately 64% and Compaq shareowners 36% of the merged company. The transaction, which is expected to be tax-free to shareowners of both companies for U.S. federal income tax purposes, will be accounted for as a purchase.

Meer informatie vind je in de press release en op News.com, CNN en NOS Teletekst. Met dank aan Michiel Muhlenbaumer en tyl voor de submit.