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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration No. 333-134327
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
| Title of Securities to be Registered |
Amount to be Registered |
Maximum Offering Price Per Share (1) |
Maximum Aggregate Offering Price |
Amount of Registration Fee (1)(2) |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common Stock, $.01 par value per share | 379,500 shares | $46.60 | $17,684,700 | $695.00 | ||||
Prospectus Supplement
June 9, 2008
(To Prospectus dated May 22, 2006)
Hewlett-Packard Company
379,500 Shares
Common Stock
This prospectus supplement relates to the offer and sale of up to 379,500 shares of Hewlett-Packard Company common stock underlying previously issued stock options held by the selling stockholders listed in the section of this prospectus supplement entitled "Selling Stockholders."
We are not selling any shares of our common stock under this prospectus supplement and will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares by the selling stockholders.
The selling stockholders, or their pledgees, donors, transferees or other successors-in-interest, may offer the shares from time to time in one or more transactions at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at prices related to the prevailing market prices, at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or at negotiated prices.
Before you invest in our securities, you should carefully read both this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "HPQ."
Investing in our common stock involves risk. See "Risk Factors" in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2007 as they have and may be updated and modified periodically in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as described in the section entitled "Information Incorporated by Reference" in the prospectus accompanying this prospectus supplement.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the prospectus to which it relates is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Prospectus Supplement
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this document or to which we have referred you. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different. This document may be used only where it is legal to sell these securities. The information contained or incorporated by reference in this document is accurate only as of the date of this document or as of its date, as applicable.
In this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, unless otherwise specified or unless the context otherwise requires, references to "Hewlett-Packard," "HP," "we," "us" or "our" refer to Hewlett-Packard Company, and not to any of our subsidiaries unless otherwise indicated.
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This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and other written reports and oral statements made from time to time by the company may contain "forward-looking statements" that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. If the risks or uncertainties ever materialize or the assumptions prove incorrect, our and our consolidated subsidiaries' results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and assumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward looking statements, including but not limited to any projections of revenue, margins, expenses, earnings, tax provisions, cash flows, benefit obligations, share repurchases, acquisition synergies or other financial items; any statements of the plans, strategies, and objectives of management for future operations, including execution of cost reduction programs and restructuring and integration plans; any statements concerning the expected development, performance or market share relating to products or services; any statements regarding pending business combination transactions; any statements regarding pending investigations, claims or disputes; any statements of expectation or belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include macroeconomic and geopolitical trends and events; the execution and performance of contracts by us and our customers, suppliers and partners; the challenge of managing asset levels, including inventory; the difficulty of aligning expense levels with revenue changes; assumptions related to pension and other post-retirement costs; expectations and assumptions relating to the execution and timing of cost reduction programs and restructuring and integration plans; the possibility that the expected benefits of pending business combination transactions may not materialize as expected or that the transactions may not be timely completed; the outcome of pending legislation and accounting pronouncements; and other risks that are described from time to time in our Securities and Exchange Commission reports, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2007 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2008. We assume no obligation and do not intend to update these forward looking statements.
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You should read the following summary together with the entire prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference, including our consolidated condensed financial statements and related notes. You should carefully consider, among other things, the matters discussed in "Risk Factors" in Item 1A of Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10 K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2007, in Item 1A of Part II of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2008 and in the other documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
About Hewlett-Packard Company
HP is a leading global provider of products, technologies, software, solutions and services to individual consumers, small- and medium-sized businesses ("SMBs") and large enterprises, including in the public and education sectors. Our offerings span:
Our operations are organized into seven business segments: Enterprise Storage and Servers ("ESS"), HP Services ("HPS"), HP Software, the Personal Systems Group ("PSG"), the Imaging and Printing Group ("IPG"), HP Financial Services ("HPFS") and Corporate Investments. Given the solution sale approach across our enterprise offerings, and in order to capitalize on up-selling and cross-selling opportunities, ESS, HPS and HP Software are structured beneath a broader Technology Solutions Group ("TSG"). While TSG is not a business segment, this aggregation provides a supplementary view of our business. In each of the past three fiscal years, industry standard servers, desktops, notebooks and printing supplies each accounted for more than 10% of our consolidated net revenue.
Technology Solutions Group
TSG provides servers, storage, software and information technology ("IT") services that enable enterprise and midmarket business customers to better manage their current IT environments and transform IT into a business enabler. TSG products help accelerate growth, minimize risk and reduce costs to optimize the business outcomes of customers' IT investments. Companies around the globe leverage HP's infrastructure solutions to deploy next generation data centers and address business challenges ranging from compliance to business continuity. TSG's modular IT systems and services are primarily standards-based and feature differentiated technologies in areas including power and cooling, unified management, security, virtualization and automation. Each of the three business segments within TSG is described in detail below.
Enterprise Storage and Servers
The server market continues to shift towards standards-based architectures as proprietary hardware and operating systems are replaced by industry standard server platforms that typically offer compelling price and performance advantages by leveraging standards-based operating systems and microprocessor designs. At the same time, critical business functions continue to demand scalability and reliability. By providing a broad portfolio of storage and server solutions, ESS aims to optimize the combined product
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solutions required by different customers and provide solutions for a wide range of operating environments, spanning both the enterprise and the SMB markets. ESS provides storage and server products in a number of categories.
Industry Standard Servers. Industry standard servers include primarily entry-level and mid-range ProLiant servers, which run primarily Windows®(1), Linux and Novell operating systems and leverage Intel Corporation ("Intel") and Advanced Micro Devices ("AMD") processors. The business spans a range of product lines that include pedestal-tower servers, density-optimized rack servers and HP's BladeSystem family of server blades. In fiscal 2007, HP's industry standard server business continued to lead the industry in terms of units shipped and factory revenue. HP also has a leadership position in server blades, the fastest-growing segment of the market.
Business Critical Systems. Business Critical Systems include Itanium®(2)-based Integrity servers running on the HP-UX, Windows®, Linux and OpenVMS operating systems, including the high-end Superdome servers and fault-tolerant Integrity NonStop servers. Business Critical Systems also include the Reduced Instruction Set Computing ("RISC")-based servers with the HP 9000 line running on the HP-UX operating system, HP AlphaServers running on both Tru64 UNIX®(3) and OpenVMS, and MIPs-based NonStop servers.
Storage. HP's StorageWorks offerings include entry-level, mid-range and high-end arrays, storage area networks, network attached storage, storage management software and virtualization technologies, as well as tape drives, tape libraries and optical archival storage.
HP Services
HPS provides a portfolio of multi-vendor IT services, including technology services, consulting and integration and outsourcing services. HPS also offers a variety of services tailored to particular industries such as communications, media and entertainment, manufacturing and distribution, financial services, health and life sciences and the public sector, including government services. HPS collaborates with the Enterprise Storage and Servers and HP Software groups, as well as with third-party system integrators and software and networking companies to bring solutions to HP customers. HPS also works with HP's Imaging and Printing Group and Personal Systems Group to provide managed print services, end user workplace services, and mobile workforce productivity solutions to enterprise customers.
Technology Services. HPS provides a range of technology services from standalone product support to high availability services for complex, global, networked, multi-vendor environments. This business also manages the delivery of product warranty support through its own service organization, as well as through authorized partners.
Consulting and Integration. HPS provides consulting and integration services to architect, design and implement technology and industry-specific solutions for customers. Consulting and integration also provides cross-industry solutions in the areas of architecture and governance, infrastructure, applications and packaged applications, security, IT service management, information management and enterprise Microsoft solutions.
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Outsourcing Services. HPS offers a variety of IT management and outsourcing services that support customers' infrastructure, applications, business processes, end user workplace, print environment and business continuity and recovery requirements.
EDS Acquisition. In May 2008, we announced that we have signed a definitive agreement with Electronic Data Systems Corporation ("EDS") under which we will purchase EDS at a price of $25.00 per share, or an enterprise value of approximately $13.9 billion. EDS is a leading global technology services company, delivering a broad portfolio of information technology and business process outsourcing services to clients in the manufacturing, financial services, healthcare, communications, energy, transportation, and consumer and retail industries and to governments around the world. The transaction is subject to certain closing conditions and is expected to close in the second half of calendar year 2008.
HP Software
HP Software provides a suite of Business Technology Optimization ("BTO") software solutions, including support, that allow customers to manage and automate their IT infrastructure, operations, applications, IT services and business processes under the OpenView brand. In addition, this segment delivers a suite of comprehensive, carrier-grade software platforms for developing and deploying next-generation voice, data and converged services to network and service providers under the HP OpenCall brand.
We are focused on extending our enterprise systems management leadership position into application, service management and business process management market segments. During fiscal 2007, we completed the acquisitions of Mercury Interactive Corporation, Bristol Technologies, Inc., SPI Dynamics, Inc. and Opsware Inc., which added transaction monitoring, applications security testing and data center automation capabilities to the BTO portfolio. We expect to continue to make strategic acquisitions as well as undertake internal realignments as we deem appropriate. The portfolio of BTO solutions is designed to enable our customers to reduce their IT costs, and gain better insight to their business and IT operations. This helps our customers align IT resources with their business goals and automate data center operations and IT processes, enabling IT to deliver more value to the business.
Personal Systems Group
PSG is the leading provider of personal computers ("PCs") in the world based on unit volume shipped and annual revenue. PSG provides commercial PCs, consumer PCs, workstations, handheld computing devices, digital entertainment systems, calculators and other related accessories, software and services for the commercial and consumer markets. We group commercial desktops, commercial notebooks and workstations into commercial clients and consumer desktop and consumer notebooks into consumer clients when describing our performance in these markets. Like the broader PC market, PSG continues to experience a shift toward mobile products such as notebooks. Both commercial and consumer PCs are based predominately on the Windows® operating system and use Intel and AMD processors.
Commercial PCs. PSG offers a variety of personal computers optimized for commercial uses, including enterprise and SMB customers, and for connectivity and manageability in networked environments. These commercial PCs include primarily the HP Compaq business desktops and business notebooks, and Tablet PCs.
Consumer PCs. Consumer PCs include the HP Pavilion and Compaq Presario series of multi-media consumer desktops and notebooks, as well as HP Media Center PCs and Voodoo Gaming PCs, which are targeted at the home user.
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Workstations. Workstations are individual computing products designed for users demanding enhanced performance, such as computer animation, engineering design and other programs requiring high-resolution graphics. HP provides workstations that run on UNIX®, Windows® and Linux-based operating systems.
Handheld Computing. HP provides a series of HP iPAQ Pocket PC handheld computing devices that run on Windows® Mobile software. These products range from value devices such as music or Global Positioning System receivers to advanced devices with voice and data capability.
Digital Entertainment. PSG's digital entertainment products are targeted at the intersection of the personal computing and consumer electronics markets and span a range of products and product categories that allow customers to enjoy a broad range of digital entertainment experiences. PSG's digital entertainment products include HD DVD and RW drives and DVD writers; plasma and LCD flat-panel televisions; and the HP Digital Entertainment Center, which allows consumers to access their music, movies, home videos and photos from a single device via remote control.
Imaging and Printing Group
IPG is the leading imaging and printing systems provider in the world for consumer and commercial printer hardware, printing supplies, printing media and scanning devices. IPG is also focused on imaging solutions in the commercial markets, from managed print services solutions to addressing new growth opportunities in commercial printing in areas such as industrial applications, outdoor signage, and the graphic arts business. When describing our performance in this segment, we group inkjet printer units and digital photography and entertainment products and services into consumer hardware, LaserJet printers and graphics and imaging products into commercial hardware and break out printer supplies separately.
Inkjet Printers. Inkjet systems include desktop single function and inkjet all-in-one printers, including photo, productivity and business inkjet printers and scanners.
Digital Photography and Entertainment. Digital imaging products and services include photo specialty printers and accessories, photo kiosks and online photo services through Snapfish. An important part of IPG's strategy is to provide digital imaging solutions that rival traditional imaging for quality, cost and ease of use so that consumers can manage their digital imaging throughout the home and outside the home.
LaserJet Printers. LaserJet systems include monochrome and color laser printers, printer-based multi-function devices and Total Print Management Solutions for enterprise customers. A key initiative in this area of IPG's business has been and continues to be driving color printing penetration in the office.
Graphics and Imaging. Graphics and Imaging products include large format (DesignJet) printers, Indigo and Scitex digital presses, digital publishing solutions and graphics printing solutions. A key initiative for IPG is to capture high-value pages by developing compelling solutions for the industrial, commercial printing and graphics segments.
Printer Supplies. Printer supplies include LaserJet toner and inkjet cartridges and other printing-related media. These supplies include HP-branded Vivera and ColorSphere ink and HP Premium and Premium Plus photo papers, which are designed to work together as a system to produce faster prints with improved resistance to fading, increased print quality and better affordability.
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HP Financial Services
HPFS supports and enhances HP's global product and service solutions, providing a broad range of value-added financial life cycle management services. HPFS enables our worldwide customers to acquire complete IT solutions, including hardware, software and services. The group offers leasing, financing, utility programs and asset recovery services, as well as financial asset management services for large global and enterprise customers. HPFS also provides an array of specialized financial services to SMBs and educational and governmental entities. HPFS offers innovative, customized and flexible alternatives to balance unique customer cash flow, technology obsolescence and capacity needs.
Corporate Investments
Corporate Investments is managed by the Office of Strategy and Technology and includes Hewlett-Packard Laboratories, also known as HP Labs, and certain business incubation projects. Revenue in this segment is attributable to the sale of certain network infrastructure products, including Ethernet switch products that enhance computing and enterprise solutions under the brand "ProCurve Networking." Corporate Investments also derives revenue from licensing specific HP technology to third parties.
HP was incorporated in 1947 under the laws of the State of California as the successor to a partnership founded in 1939 by William R. Hewlett and David Packard. Effective in May 1998, we changed our state of incorporation from California to Delaware. Our principal executive offices are located at 3000 Hanover Street, Palo Alto, California 94304. Our telephone number is (650) 857-1501.
| Issuer | Hewlett-Packard Company. | |
Securities Offered |
379,500 shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share |
|
Use of Proceeds |
We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the shares by the selling stockholders. |
|
New York Stock Exchange symbol |
HPQ |
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We will not receive any proceeds from the sale by the selling stockholder of the shares of our common stock covered by this prospectus supplement.
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We are registering the offer and resale of shares of common stock that may be acquired by the selling stockholders upon exercise of options previously issued to the selling stockholders pursuant to the terms of certain amended and restated option agreements between us and each of the selling stockholders.
The following table lists the number of shares of our common stock registered for sale by the selling stockholders under this prospectus supplement. It also shows the total number of shares of common stock owned by them before and after the offering and the percentage of our total outstanding shares represented by these amounts. The table reflects our assumption that each selling stockholder will sell all of the common stock being offered by the prospectus for its account.
The table is based on information provided by the selling stockholders and does not necessarily indicate beneficial ownership for any other purpose. The selling stockholders may have sold or transferred, in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, some or all of their shares of common stock since the date on which the information in the table below is presented. Information about the selling stockholders also may change over time. The percent of beneficial ownership for the selling stockholders is based on 2,466,191,046 shares of common stock outstanding as of May 31, 2008.
None of the selling stockholders has held any position or office with us or any of our predecessors or affiliates within the last three years or has had a material relationship with us or any of our predecessors or affiliates within the past three years other than as a result of the ownership of our shares or other securities.
| |
Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned Prior to Offering(1) |
Number of Shares of Common Stock Being Offered |
Shares of Common Stock to be Beneficially Owned After Offering(1) |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name of Selling Stockholder |
||||||||||
| Number |
Percentage |
Number |
Percentage |
|||||||
| Frank P. Doyle | 148,132 | (2) | * | 126,500 | 21,632 | (2) | * | |||
| Robert Ted Enloe, III | 162,309 | (3) | * | 126,500 | (4) | 35,809 | (5) | * | ||
| Benjamin M. Rosen | 171,978 | (6) | * | 126,500 | 45,478 | (7) | * | |||
| Total | 379,500 | |||||||||
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The selling stockholders and their successors, including their transferees, pledgees or donees, may from time to time sell the shares covered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus from time to time for their own accounts. The shares may be sold directly to purchasers or through broker-dealers or agents, who may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions, or commissions from the selling stockholders or from the purchasers of the shares. The shares may be sold in one or more transactions at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at prices related to the prevailing market prices, at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or at negotiated prices. Each selling stockholder will act independently of us in making decisions with respect to the timing, manner and size of each sale.
The selling stockholders may sell their shares through any of the following methods or any combination of these methods:
In addition, any shares covered by the prospectus supplement that qualify for sale in compliance with Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act may be sold under Rule 144 rather than under this prospectus supplement.
In connection with the distribution of the shares covered by this prospectus supplement:
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Broker-dealers or agents may receive compensation in the form of commissions, discounts or concessions from the selling stockholders or their successors. Broker-dealers or agents may also receive compensation from the purchasers for whom they act as agents or to whom they sell as principals, or both. Compensation received by a particular broker-dealer might be in excess of customary commissions and will be in amounts to be negotiated in connection with the sale.
Broker-dealers or agents and any other participating broker-dealers or the selling stockholders or their successors may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act in connection with sales of shares. Accordingly, any such commission, discount or concession received by them and any profit on the resale of the shares purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting discounts or commissions under the Securities Act.
In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, if applicable, the shares must be sold in such jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in certain states the shares may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from the registration or qualification requirement is available and is complied with.
Under applicable rules and regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, no person engaged in the distribution of the shares may simultaneously engage in market making activities with respect to our common stock for a restricted period before the commencement of the distribution. In addition, the selling stockholders will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the associated rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, including Regulation M, the provisions of which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of the shares by the selling stockholder.
At the time a particular offer of shares is made, if required, a prospectus supplement will be distributed that will set forth the number of shares being offered and the terms of the offering, including the name of any underwriter, dealer or agent, the purchase price paid by any underwriter, any discount, commission and other item constituting compensation, any discount, commission or concession allowed or reallowed or paid to any dealer, and the proposed selling price to the public.
We have agreed to pay the expenses of registering the shares under the Securities Act, including registration and filing fees and certain legal fees. Each selling stockholder will bear all discounts, commissions and stock transfer taxes as well as fees and disbursements of counsel to that selling stockholder.
We have agreed to indemnify the selling stockholders against certain liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act. The selling stockholders may agree to indemnify any agent, dealer or broker-dealer that participates in transactions involving sales of shares against liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act.
We have agreed with each selling stockholder to use our commercially reasonable efforts to keep our existing shelf registration statement on Form S-3 effective until the earlier of (i) the date as of which all of the shares held by the selling stockholder pursuant to the amended and restated option agreement between us and that stockholder may be sold without registration pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, and (ii) the date that is six months after the expiration date of the option represented by that amended and restated option agreement.
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The consolidated financial statements of HP appearing in HP's Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended October 31, 2007 including the schedule appearing therein have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
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Prospectus
Hewlett-Packard Company
DEBT SECURITIES
COMMON STOCK
PREFERRED STOCK
DEPOSITARY SHARES
WARRANTS
We may offer from time to time, in one or more offerings, debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares and warrants. This prospectus describes the general terms of these securities and the general manner in which we will offer them. We will provide the specific terms and prices of these securities in supplements to this prospectus. The prospectus supplements will also describe the specific manner in which we will offer these securities and may also supplement, update or amend information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest.
We may sell these securities on a continuous or delayed basis directly, through agents, dealers or underwriters as designated from time to time, or through a combination of these methods. We reserve the sole right to accept, and together with any agents, dealers and underwriters, reserve the right to reject, in whole or in part, any proposed purchase of securities. If any agents, dealers or underwriters are involved in the sale of any securities, the applicable prospectus supplement will set forth any applicable commissions or discounts. Our net proceeds from the sale of securities also will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Stock Market and the Pacific Exchange under the symbol "HPQ."
See risk factors in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2005 as they have and may be updated and modified periodically in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") as described in the section entitled "Information Incorporated by Reference" in this prospectus. We may sell securities to or through underwriters, dealers or agents. For additional information on the method of sale, refer to the section entitled "Plan of Distribution" below. The names of any underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the sale of any securities and the specific manner in which they may be offered will be set forth in the prospectus supplement covering the sales of those securities.
Our principal executive offices are located at 3000 Hanover Street, Palo Alto, California 94304, and our telephone number at that location is (650) 857-1501.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined that this prospectus is accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
May 22, 2006
This prospectus is part of a "shelf" registration statement that we have filed with the SEC. By using a shelf registration statement, we may sell, at any time and from time to time, in one or more offerings, the securities described in this prospectus.
This prospectus only provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that contains specific information about the terms of those securities. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the additional information described below, including a description of our business, in the sections entitled "Where You Can Find More Information" and "Information Incorporated by Reference."
This prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed or will be filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below in the section entitled "Where You Can Find More Information."
We are not making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or a prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of the document.
Except as otherwise noted, references in this prospectus to "HP," "we," "us" and "our" are to Hewlett-Packard Company and its consolidated subsidiaries.
This prospectus, the prospectus supplement, the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus and other written reports and oral statements made from time to time by the company may contain "forward-looking statements" that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. If the risks or uncertainties ever materialize or the assumptions prove incorrect, our results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and assumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including but not limited to any projections of revenue, margins, expenses, tax provisions, earnings, cash flows, benefit obligations, share repurchases or other financial items; any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations, including the execution of restructuring plans; any statements concerning expected development, performance or market share relating to products or services; any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; any statements regarding pending investigations, claims or disputes; any statements of expectation or belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include macroeconomic and geopolitical trends and events; the execution and performance of contracts by customers, suppliers and partners; the challenge of managing asset levels, including inventory; the difficulty of aligning expense levels with revenue changes; assumptions related to pension and other post-retirement costs; expectations and assumptions relating to the execution and timing of workforce restructuring programs; the outcome of pending legislation and accounting pronouncements; and other risks that are described herein, including but not limited to the risks described in HP's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended January 31, 2006 and other reports filed after HP's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2005. We assume no obligation and do not intend to update these forward-looking statements.
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Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, the net proceeds from the sale of the securities to which this prospectus relates will be used for general corporate purposes. General corporate purposes may include repayment of debt, repurchases of outstanding shares of common stock, acquisitions, investments, additions to working capital, capital expenditures and advances to or investments in our subsidiaries. Net proceeds may be temporarily invested prior to use.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DEBT SECURITIES
This section describes the general terms and provisions of any debt securities that we may offer in the future. A prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of debt securities will describe the material terms of that particular series and to the extent to which the general terms and provisions contained herein apply to that particular series.
GENERAL
The debt securities will either be our senior debt securities or our subordinated debt securities. We expect to issue the debt securities under one or more separate indentures between us and J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association (formerly known as Chase Manhattan Bank and Trust Company, National Association), as trustee. Senior debt securities will be issued under a senior indenture and subordinated debt securities will be issued under a subordinated indenture. Together, the senior indenture and subordinated indenture are called indentures. For additional information, you should look at the applicable form of indenture that is filed as an exhibit to our registration statement on Form S-3 (file number 333-30786), dated March 17, 2000. Each of the indentures is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. In this description of the debt securities, the words "we," "us" or "our" refer only to Hewlett-Packard Company and not to any of our subsidiaries.
Debt securities may be issued in separate series without limitation as to aggregate principal amount. We may specify a maximum aggregate principal amount for the debt securities of any series. We are not limited as to the amount of debt securities we may issue under the indentures. Unless otherwise provided in a prospectus supplement, a series of debt securities may be reopened for issuance of additional debt securities of such series.
TERMS OF A PARTICULAR SERIES
Each prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of debt securities will include specific information relating to the offering. This information will include some or all of the following terms of the debt securities of the series:
2
Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement:
Debt securities may be sold at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount, bearing no interest or interest at a rate that at time of issuance is below market rates.
EXCHANGE AND TRANSFER
Debt securities may be transferred or exchanged at the office of the security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us. We will not impose a service charge for any transfer or exchange, but we may require holders to pay any tax or other governmental charges associated with any transfer or exchange.
In the event of any potential redemption of debt securities of any series in part, we will not be required to:
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We have initially appointed the trustee as the security registrar. Any transfer agent, in addition to the security registrar, initially designated by us will be named in the prospectus supplement. We may designate additional transfer agents, change transfer agents or change the office of the transfer agent, change any security registrar or act as security registrar. However, we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of each series.
GLOBAL SECURITIES
The debt securities of any series may be represented, in whole or in part by one or more global securities. Each global security will:
As long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a global security, the depositary or nominee will be considered the sole owner and holder of the debt securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the indenture. Except in the above limited circumstances, owners of beneficial interests in a global security will not be:
Payments on a global security will be made to the depositary or its nominee as the holder of the global security. Some jurisdictions have laws that require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. These laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global security.
Institutions that have accounts with the depositary or its nominee are referred to as "participants." Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to participants and to persons that may hold beneficial interests through participants. The depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of debt securities represented by the global security to the accounts of its participants.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be shown on and effected through records maintained by the depositary, with respect to participants' interests, or any participant, with respect to interests of persons held by participants on their behalf.
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Payments, transfers and exchanges relating to beneficial interests in a global security will be subject to policies and procedures of the depositary. The depositary policies and procedures may change from time to time. Neither the trustee nor we will have any responsibility or liability for the depositary's or any participant's records with respect to beneficial interests in a global security.
PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENTS
Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement:
At our option, however, we may pay interest by mailing a check to the record holder.
The corporate trust office of the trustee will initially be designated as our sole paying agent. We may also name any other paying agents in the prospectus supplement. We may designate additional paying agents, change paying agents or change the office of any paying agent. However, we will be required to maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.
All monies paid by us to a paying agent for payment on any debt security which remain unclaimed for a period ending the earlier of 10 business days prior to the date the money would be turned over to the state, or at the end of two years after the payment was due, will be repaid to us. Thereafter, the holder may look only to us for such payment.
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND SALE OF ASSETS
We may not consolidate with or merge into any other person, in a transaction in which we are not the surviving corporation, or convey, transfer or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to, any person, unless:
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
Each indenture defines an event of default with respect to any series of debt securities as one or more of the following events:
(1) failure to pay principal of or any premium on any debt security of that series when due;
(2) failure to pay any interest on any debt security of that series for 30 days when due;
(3) failure to make any sinking fund payment for 30 days when due;
(4) failure to perform any other covenant in the indenture if that failure continues for 90 days after we are given the notice required in the indenture;
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(5) our bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization; and
(6) any other event of default specified in the prospectus supplement.
An event of default of one series of debt securities is not necessarily an event of default for any other series of debt securities.
If an event of default, other than an event of default described in clause (5) above, shall occur and be continuing, either the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding securities of that series may declare the principal amount of the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately. If an event of default described in clause (5) above shall occur, the principal amount of all the debt securities of that series will automatically become immediately due and payable. Any payment by us on the subordinated debt securities following any acceleration will be subject to the subordination provisions described below under "Subordinated Debt Securities."
After acceleration, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding securities of that series, under certain circumstances, may rescind and annul such acceleration if all events of default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal, or other specified amount, have been cured or waived.
Other than the duty to act with the required care during an event of default, the trustee will not be obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers at the request of the holders unless the holders shall have offered to the trustee reasonable indemnity. Generally, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee.
A holder will not have any right to institute any proceeding under the indentures, or for the appointment of a receiver or a trustee, or for any other remedy under the indentures, unless:
(1) the holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default with respect to the debt securities of that series;
(2) the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made a written request and have offered reasonable indemnity to the trustee to institute the proceeding; and
(3) the trustee has failed to institute the proceeding and has not received direction inconsistent with the original request from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series within 60 days after the original request.
Holders may, however, sue to enforce the payment of principal, premium or interest on any series of debt securities on or after the due date without following the procedures listed in (1) through (3) above.
We will furnish the trustee an annual statement by our officers as to whether or not we are in default in the performance of the indenture and, if so, specifying all known defaults.
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MODIFICATION AND WAIVER
We and the trustee may make modifications and amendments to the indentures with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding securities of each series affected by the modification or amendment. We may also make modifications and amendments to the indentures for the benefit of the holders, without their consent, for certain purposes including, but not limited to:
However, neither we nor the trustee may make any modification or amendment without the consent of the holder of each outstanding security of that series affected by the modification or amendment if such modification or amendment would:
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE
We may be discharged from our obligations on the debt securities of any series if we deposit enough money with the trustee to pay all the principal, interest and any premium due to the stated maturity date or redemption date of the debt securities.
Each indenture contains a provision that permits us to elect either or both of the following:
(1) the limitations on sale and lease-back transactions under the senior indenture;
(2) the limitations on liens under the senior indenture;
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(3) covenants as to payment of taxes and maintenance of properties; and
(4) the subordination provisions under the subordinated indenture.
To make either of the above elections, we must deposit in trust with the trustee enough money to pay in full the principal, interest and premium on the debt securities. This amount may be made in cash and/or U.S. government obligations. As a condition to either of the above elections, we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel that the holders of the debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the action.
If any of the above events occur, the holders of the debt securities of the series will not be entitled to the benefits of the indenture, except for registration of transfer and exchange of debt securities, replacement of lost, stolen or mutilated debt securities and, if applicable, conversion and exchange of debt securities.
NOTICES
Notices to holders will be given by mail to the addresses of the holders in the security register.
GOVERNING LAW
The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed under, the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws principles.
REGARDING THE TRUSTEE
The indentures limit the right of the trustee, if it becomes our creditor, to obtain payment of claims or secure its claims.
The trustee is permitted to engage in certain other transactions. If the trustee acquires any conflicting interest, however, and there is a default under the debt securities of any series for which they are trustee, the trustee must eliminate the conflict or resign. J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association is also our depositary and affiliates of J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association, have performed and continue to perform other services for us in the normal course of business.
SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES
The senior debt securities will be unsecured, unless we elect otherwise, and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and non-subordinated senior debt.
COVENANTS IN THE SENIOR INDENTURE
LIMITATIONS ON LIENS. Neither we nor any restricted subsidiary will issue, incur, create, assume or guarantee any secured debt without securing the senior debt securities equally and ratably with or prior to that secured debt unless the total amount of all secured debt with which the senior debt securities are not at least equally and ratably secured would not exceed the greater of $500 million or 10% of our consolidated net tangible assets.
LIMITATIONS ON SALE AND LEASE-BACK TRANSACTIONS. Subject to the last paragraph of this section, neither we nor any restricted subsidiary will enter into any lease with a term longer than three years covering any of our principal property or any restricted subsidiary that is sold to any other person in connection with that lease unless either:
(1) we or any restricted subsidiary would be entitled to incur indebtedness secured by a mortgage on the principal property involved in such transaction at least equal in amount to the attributable debt
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with respect to the lease, without equally and ratably securing the senior debt securities, pursuant to "Limitation on Liens" described above; or
(2) an amount equal to the greater of the following amounts is applied within 180 days of such sale to the retirement of our or any restricted subsidiary's long-term debt or the purchase or development of comparable property:
However, either we or our restricted subsidiaries would be able to enter into a sale and lease-back transaction without being required to apply the net proceeds as required by (2) above if the sum of the following amounts would not exceed the greater of $500 million or 10% of our consolidated net tangible assets:
DEFINITIONS RELATING TO THE SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES
"attributable debt" with regard to a sale and lease-back transaction means the lesser of:
(1) the fair market value of such property as determined in good faith by our board of directors; or
(2) discounted present value of all net rentals under the lease.
"consolidated net tangible assets" means total assets, less reserves, after deducting:
(1) total current liabilities, excluding:
(2) certain intangible assets, to the extent included in total assets.
"mortgage" means a mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien, charge or other encumbrance.
"nonrecourse obligation" means indebtedness substantially related to:
"principal property" means the land, improvements, buildings and fixtures owned by us or a restricted subsidiary located in the United States that constitutes our principal corporate office, any manufacturing plant or any manufacturing facility and has a book value in excess of .75% of our consolidated net tangible assets as of the determination date. Principal property does not include any property that our board of directors has determined not to be of material importance to the business conducted by our subsidiaries and us, taken as a whole.
"restricted subsidiary" means any subsidiary that owns any principal property, but does not include:
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"secured debt" means any of our debt or any debt of a restricted subsidiary for borrowed money secured by either a mortgage on any principal property or stock or indebtedness of a restricted subsidiary. Secured debt does not include:
SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
The subordinated debt securities are subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all senior debt, including any senior debt securities. In the event of our dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, the holders of senior debt shall be entitled to receive payment in full
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before holders of subordinated debt securities shall be entitled to receive any payment or distribution on any subordinated debt securities.
In the event of insolvency, upon any distribution of our assets:
DEFINITIONS RELATING TO SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
"senior debt" means the principal, premium, if any, and unpaid interest on:
However, senior debt shall not include (i) any indebtedness or obligation that provides that such indebtedness or obligation is not superior in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities or provides that such indebtedness is subordinate to our other indebtedness and obligations and (ii) indebtedness related to our Liquid Yield Option™ Notes due 2017.
The subordinated debt securities are effectively subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of our subsidiaries. Any right we have to participate in any distribution of the assets of any of our subsidiaries upon their liquidation, reorganization or insolvency, and the consequent right of holders of
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senior debt securities to participate in those assets, will be subject to the claims of the creditors of such subsidiary. In addition, any claim we may have as a creditor would still be subordinate to any security interest in the assets of such subsidiary and any indebtedness of such subsidiary senior to that held by us.
Our certificate of incorporation authorizes us to issue up to 9,600,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share. As of May 12, 2006 there were approximately 2,802,381,088 shares of common stock outstanding.
The holders of common stock as of the applicable record date are entitled to one vote per share on all matters to be voted upon by the stockholders. The holders of common stock have cumulative voting rights for the election of our directors in accordance with our bylaws and Delaware law. Subject to preferences applicable to any outstanding preferred stock, the holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends as may be declared from time to time by the board of directors out of funds legally available for distribution, and, in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of common stock are entitled to share in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities. The common stock has no preemptive or conversion rights and is not subject to further calls or assessments by us. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions available to the common stock. The common stock currently outstanding is validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
The transfer agent and registrar for the common stock is Computershare Investor Services.
ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECTS OF DELAWARE LAW
We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which, subject to certain exceptions, prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any business combination with any interested stockholder for a period of three years following the time that such stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless:
(1) prior to such time, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;
(2) upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding those shares owned:
(3) at or subsequent to such time the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 662/3% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.
Section 203 defines "business combination" to include:
(1) any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder;
(2) any sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation involving the interested stockholder;
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(3) subject to certain exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder;
(4) any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested stockholder; or
(5) the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through the corporation.
In general, Section 203 defines an "interested stockholder" as any person who or which beneficially owns 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation or any person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by the corporation that was the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation at any time within the three-year period immediately prior to the date of determination if such person is an interested stockholder.
The existence of this provision would be expected to have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions not approved in advance by our board of directors, including discouraging attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares of common stock held by stockholders.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK
GENERAL
Our certificate of incorporation authorizes us to issue up to 300,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, in one or more series. As of the date of this prospectus, we did not have any outstanding shares of preferred stock or options to purchase preferred stock. Our board of directors, however, has the authority without stockholder consent, subject to certain limitations imposed by law or our bylaws, to issue one or more series of preferred stock at any time. The certificate of designation relating to each series will fix the rights, preferences and restrictions of the preferred stock of each series. A prospectus supplement relating to each such series will specify the terms of the preferred stock as determined by our board of directors, including the following:
We will describe the specific terms of a particular series of preferred stock in the prospectus supplement relating to that series. The description of preferred stock above and the description of the terms of a particular series of preferred stock in the related prospectus supplement will not be complete. You should refer to the certificate of designation for complete information. The prospectus supplement will also contain a description of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences relating to the preferred stock.
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Although it has no present intention to do so, our board of directors, without stockholder approval, may issue preferred stock with voting and conversion rights, which could adversely affect the voting power of the holders of common stock. If we issue preferred stock, it may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DEPOSITARY SHARES
At our option, we may elect to offer fractional shares of preferred stock, rather than full shares of preferred stock. If we do, we will issue to the public receipts for depositary shares and each of these depositary shares will represent a fraction, to be set forth in the prospectus supplement, of a share of a particular series of preferred stock. Each owner of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fractional interest in shares of preferred stock underlying that depositary share, to all rights and preferences of the preferred stock underlying that depositary share. Those rights include dividend, voting, redemption and liquidation rights.
The shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares will be deposited with a bank or trust company selected by us to act as depositary, under a deposit agreement between us, the depositary and the holders of the depositary receipts. The depositary will be the transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursing agent for the depositary shares.
Depositary receipts issued pursuant to the depositary agreement will evidence the depositary shares. Holders of depositary receipts agree to be bound by the deposit agreement, which requires holders to take certain actions such as filing proof of residence and paying certain charges.
The summary of terms of the depositary shares contained in this prospectus is not complete. You should refer to the forms of the deposit agreement, our certificate of incorporation and the certificate of amendment for the applicable series of preferred stock that are, or will be, filed with the SEC.
DIVIDENDS
The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received in respect of the series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares to the record holders of depositary receipts in proportion to the number of depositary shares owned by those holders on the relevant record date, which will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock.
In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary receipts that are entitled to receive the distribution, unless the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make the distribution. If this occurs, the depositary, with our approval, may adopt another method for the distribution, including selling the property and distributing the net proceeds to the holders.
LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE
In the event of our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of each depositary share will be entitled to receive the fraction of the liquidation preference accorded each share of the applicable series of preferred stock, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
REDEMPTION
If a series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares is subject to redemption, the depositary shares will be redeemed from the proceeds received by the depositary resulting from the redemption, in whole or in part, of preferred stock held by the depositary. Whenever we redeem any preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem, as of the same redemption date, the number of depositary shares representing the preferred stock so redeemed. The depositary will mail the
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notice of redemption to the record holders of the depositary receipts promptly upon receiving the notice from us and not fewer than 35 nor more than 60 days, unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, prior to the date fixed for redemption of the preferred stock and the depositary shares.
VOTING
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of preferred stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in the notice of meeting to the record holders of the depositary receipts underlying the preferred stock. Each record holder of those depositary receipts on the record date will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of preferred stock underlying that holder's depositary shares. The record date for the depositary will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock. The depositary will try, as far as practicable, to vote the preferred stock underlying the depositary shares in accordance with such instructions, and we will agree to take all action which may be deemed necessary by the depositary in order to enable the depositary to do so. The depositary will not vote the preferred stock to the extent that it does not receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary receipts.
WITHDRAWAL OF PREFERRED STOCK
Owners of depositary shares are entitled, upon surrender of depositary receipts at the principal office of the depositary and payment of any unpaid amount due to the depositary, to receive the number of whole shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares. Partial shares of preferred stock will not be issued. Holders of preferred stock will not be entitled to deposit the shares under the deposit agreement or to receive depositary receipts evidencing depositary shares for the preferred stock.
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement may be amended at any time and from time to time by agreement between us and the depositary. However, any amendment which materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary shares, other than fee changes, will not be effective unless the amendment has been approved by at least a majority of the depositary shares then outstanding. The deposit agreement may be terminated by the depositary or us only if:
CHARGES OF DEPOSITARY
We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will also pay charges of the depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the preferred stock and the initial issuance of the depositary shares, any redemption of the preferred stock and all withdrawals of preferred stock by owners of depositary shares. Holders of depositary receipts will pay transfer, income and other taxes and governmental charges and other specified charges as provided in the deposit agreement to be for their accounts. The depositary may refuse to transfer depositary shares, withhold dividends and distributions and sell the depositary shares evidenced by the depositary receipt if the charges are not paid.
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MISCELLANEOUS
The depositary will forward to the holders of depositary receipts all reports and communications we deliver to the depositary that we are required to furnish to the holders of the preferred stock. In addition, the depositary will make available for inspection by holders of depositary receipts at the principal office of the depositary, and at such other places as it may from time to time deem advisable, any reports and communications we deliver to the depositary as the holder of preferred stock.
Neither the depositary nor we will be liable if either of us is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond our control in performing our respective obligations under the deposit agreement. Our obligations and those of the depositary will be limited to performance in good faith of our respective duties under the deposit agreement. Neither the depositary nor we will be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary shares or preferred stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. We and the depositary may rely on written advice of counsel or accountants, on information provided by holders of depositary receipts or other persons believed in good faith to be competent to give such information and on documents believed to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.
RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL OF DEPOSITARY
The depositary may resign at any time by delivering a notice to us of its election to do so. We may remove the depositary at any time. Any such resignation or removal will take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment. The successor depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice for resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States of America and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $150,000,000.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
Owners of the depositary shares will be treated for United States federal income tax purposes as if they were owners of the preferred stock underlying the depositary shares. As a result, owners will be entitled to take into account for United States federal income tax purposes, income and deductions to which they would be entitled if they were holders of such preferred stock. No gain or loss will be recognized for United States federal income tax purposes upon the withdrawal of preferred stock in exchange for depositary shares. The tax basis of each share of preferred stock to an exchanging owner of depositary shares will be, upon such exchange, the same as the aggregate tax basis of the depositary shares exchanged. The holding period for preferred stock in the hands of an exchanging owner of depositary shares will include the period during which such person owned such depositary shares.
GENERAL
We may issue warrants for the purchase of debt securities, preferred stock or common stock. Warrants may be issued independently or together with debt securities, preferred stock or common stock and may be attached to or separate from any offered securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not have any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants.
This summary of certain provisions of the warrants is not complete. For the complete terms of the warrant agreement, you should refer to the provisions of the warrant agreement that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of warrants.
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DEBT WARRANTS
The prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of warrants to issue debt securities will describe the terms of the debt warrants, including the following:
STOCK WARRANTS
The prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of warrants to issue our common stock or preferred stock will describe the terms of the warrants, including the following:
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We may sell the securities separately or together:
We may sell the securities from time to time:
We will describe the method of distribution of the securities in the prospectus supplement.
We may determine the price or other terms of the securities offered under this prospectus by use of an electronic auction. We will describe how any auction will determine the price or any other terms, how potential investors may participate in the auction and the nature of the underwriters' obligations in the related supplement to this prospectus.
Underwriters, dealers or agents may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from us or our purchasers, as their agents in connection with the sale of securities. These underwriters, dealers or agents may be considered to be underwriters under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). As a result, discounts, commissions or profits on resale received by the underwriters, dealers or agents may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions. The prospectus supplement will identify any such underwriter, dealer or agent and describe any compensation received by them from us. Any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments
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made by the underwriters, dealers or agents, under agreements between us and the underwriters, dealers and agents.
We may grant underwriters who participate in the distribution of securities an option to purchase additional securities to cover over-allotments, if any, in connection with the distribution.
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, all securities offered by this prospectus, other than our common stock, will be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Underwriters involved in the public offering and sale of securities may make a market in the securities but are not required to do so and may discontinue market-making activity at any time. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for any securities.
Underwriters or agents and their associates may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.
Any underwriter may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, short covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Over-allotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which creates a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. Short covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution is completed to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of those activities at any time.
Charles N. Charnas, Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of HP or another lawyer within HP's Legal Department will provide opinions regarding the authorization and validity of the securities and, to the extent that authorization and validity are governed by New York law, such internal counsel may rely on the opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati Professional Corporation. Mr. Charnas and the other lawyers in HP's Legal Department are paid salaries by HP, are participants in various employee benefit plans offered by HP to its employees generally and own and have options to purchase shares of HP common stock. Any underwriters will also be advised about the validity of the securities and other legal matters by their own counsel, which will be named in the prospectus supplement.
The consolidated financial statements of HP appearing in HP's Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended October 31, 2005 including the schedule appearing therein, and HP's management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of October 31, 2005 included therein, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and management's assessment are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public from the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document we file at the SEC's public reference room in Washington, D.C. located at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may also obtain copies of any
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document we file at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC at that address. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. Information about us, including our SEC filings, is also available on our website at http://www.hp.com, however, that information is not a part of this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement.
INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" in this prospectus the information in other documents that we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus, and information in documents that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede information contained in documents filed earlier with the SEC or contained in this prospectus or a prospectus supplement. We incorporate by reference in this prospectus the documents listed below and any future filings that we may make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the termination of the offering under this prospectus (other than any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K unless the Company specifically states in such Current Report that such information is to be considered "filed" under the Exchange Act or the Company incorporates it by reference into a filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act):
Notwithstanding the foregoing, we are not incorporating any document or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules. You may obtain a copy of any or all of the documents referred to above which may have been or may be incorporated by reference into this prospectus (excluding certain exhibits to the documents) at no cost to you by writing or telephoning us at the following address:
Hewlett-Packard
Company
3000 Hanover Street
Palo Alto, California 94304
Attn: Investor Relations Department
(650) 857-1501
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