Spotlight: HP Expected to Report Drop in Earnings

Palo Alto-based Hewlett-Packard Co. is expected to report lower third-quarter profit Monday as the world’s No. 3 computer maker struggles with weak personal computer sales and slowing demand in Asia. HP’s earnings will fall to 54 cents a share, according to analysts. In July, HP warned that profit for the fiscal quarter ended July 31 would be unchanged or less than the $617 million, or 58 cents, a year earlier. High expenses, PC price cuts and dwindling sales in Asia have hurt its results.