Hewlett-Packard and Compaq decided not to offer to dispose of
any of their businesses before the European Commission decides on
the competition aspects of their proposed merger, according to the
Financial Times.
The deadline for making a compromise offer expired last night.
If the Commission deems that the proposed merger represents a
threat to competition, it may instruct a four month investigation.
A decision is expected by the end of this month. According to the
FT, HP is not expected to set a date for putting the merger
proposal to its shareholders for a formal vote until after the
Commission's decision.
HP is currently struggling to win investor support. This month,
the influential US business magazine Red Herring is running an
editorial campaign for an abortion of the merger and the
resignation of HP's CEO, Carly Fiorina.
