DELL'S DOLDRUMS: Slumping personal computer maker Dell Inc. is still having trouble adapting to a market increasingly dominated by smartphones and tablets. POINT: The dismal performance could help Dell's board persuade more shareholders to accept a $24.4 billion buyout offer from CEO Michael Dell and other investors.
Apple Inc. rose $5.73 or 1.3 percent, to $434.58. Dell Inc. fell$. 02 or. 1 percent, to $13.43. Hewlett Packard Co. rose$. 39 or 1.9 percent, to $21.36.
SAN FRANCISCO, May 16- Dell Inc, the subject of a takeover battle between activist investor Carl Icahn and the company's billionaire founder, reported a 79 percent slide in profit as personal computer sales continued to shrink.
*Cisco shares rise 9 pct in early trading. Aug 16- Shares of Cisco Systems Inc jumped 9 percent on Thursday as a dividend hike and share buyback plan overshadowed comments that business conditions in Europe would not improve anytime soon for the network equipment maker.
Apple Inc. rose $6.83 or 1.6 percent, to $435.68. Dell Inc. fell$. 03 or. 2 percent, to $13.43. Hewlett Packard Co. rose$. 46 or 2.2 percent, to $21.43.
Apple Inc. fell $1.91 or. 4 percent, to $426.94. Dell Inc. fell$. 03 or. 2 percent, to $13.43. Hewlett Packard Co. rose$. 09 or. 4 percent, to $21.06.
U.S. stock index futures were flat Thursday as investors digested a handful of weaker-than-expected economic data against upbeat earnings report from Cisco.
Apple Inc. fell $15.01 or 3.4 percent, to $428.85. Dell Inc. fell$. 02 or. 1 percent, to $13.45. Hewlett Packard Co. fell$. 55 or 2.6 percent, to $20.97.
BOSTON, May 15- Several top stock-picking hedge funds bought about 30 million shares of PC maker Dell Inc in the first quarter, possibly increasing pressure on company founder Michael Dell to improve his bid to take the company private.