11 Tech Blue-Chips to Sell

By Louis Navellier of InvestorPlace

With the merger war between Dell(DELL) and Hewlett-Packard(HPQ) over 3Par(PAR) raging on, tech stocks have really been in focus lately. A spate of merger and acquisition action has prompted a renewed focus on information technology companies, particularly cloud computing stocks.

However, don't be fooled into thinking that a bunch of big spenders in the technology sector means that all tech picks are doing well. In fact, a number of big name blue-chips in the industry continue to face very difficult roads ahead.

Here are 11 blue-chip tech stocks stumbling right now:

Microsoft (MSFT)

Industry: Software

Market Cap: $205 billion

Microsoft(MSFT) is known globally for its Windows operating system. But lately, the tech stock has been known for its declines. The tech giant has dropped 22% in the last eight months, compared to the Dow Jones Industrial Average and Nasdaq, which have fallen 3.4% and 5.8% respectively. Currently, Microsoft is trading right around its 52-week low. Add the fact that experts are estimating a 6.8% drop in growth next quarter and Microsoft is definitely a blue-chip stock worth selling.

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Cisco (CSCO)

Industry: Communications Equipment

Market Cap: $117 billion

Networking company Cisco(CSCO) has had a less than stellar 2010. Since January, the tech company's stock has slid 14.3%, setting it behind broader markets. Additionally, experts are predicting earnings of $0.40 per share in its next quarterly report, which is down from an EPS of $0.43 last quarter. Up until May, Cisco stock had remained relatively stable on the year. Since May however, the stock has dropped 23.8%. CSCO is trading very close to its 52-week low of $20.36, with its current stock price of $20.45.

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Hewlett-Packard (HPQ)

Industry: Computers and Peripherals

Market Cap: $91 billion

Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) has been making headlines over its 3Par bids, but none of the press has helped turn around HP stock. The tech giant has seen its stock underperform in 2010 as well. In fact, the tech stock has fallen 24.4% since January, including a 15.4% drop since the beginning of August. The bidding war over 3Par could be a double-edged sword -- if HP misses out, it could get punished. If it wins and overpays, shareholders may be just as angry.

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Qualcomm (QCOM)

Industry: Communications Equipment

Market Cap: $62 billion

Qualcomm(QCOM) is a designer, manufacturer and marketer of digital wireless telecommunications products based in San Diego. Thus far, QCOM stock has slid 17.2% in 2010. Currently the stock is up to $38.29, from its 52-week low of $31.63 in July. Experts are also predicting a growth estimate for the current quarter of -9.4%. Recently, competitor Intel(INTC) completed the buyout of Infineon's wireless chip unit, which means competitor QCOM may now be at a disadvantage on the mobile device front.

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Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM)

Industry: Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment