H-P Bulls Riding Hurd

Investors have shown much love for Hewlett-Packard(HPQ Quote) this year, with its stock climbing to new heights. And the Palo Alto, Calif., computer maker's financial report on Thursday came through like an aphrodisiac.

Shares of H-P were recently up 1.2% on Friday to $29.36.

H-P dazzled investors with a bottom line that soundly outpaced analysts' expectations. The company's fiscal fourth-quarter profit of $1.7 billion, or 51 cents a share, excluding various charges, was 5 cents above Street expectations. And while revenue growth going forward will be moderate, the company projected continued profit gains for the year ahead. ...