PALO ALTO, CA -- Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE:HWP) today reported financial results for its fourth fiscal quarter ended Oct. 31, 2001. Fourth quarter results met or slightly exceeded guidance for revenue, gross margin and expenses provided on the Aug. 16 third quarter earnings call. The company achieved 6% sequential revenue growth, 4% sequential pro forma expense reduction, pro forma earnings per share (EPS) of 19 cents and operating cash flow of $1.8 billion. The company reported fourth quarter revenue of $10.9 billion compared with $10.3 billion in the third quarter and $13.3 billion in last year's fourth quarter. Revenues were down 18% year-over-year, 15% excluding currency effects. Gross margin this quarter was 25.7%, essentially flat with 26.0% last quarter on a pro forma basis. Operating expenses declined 4% sequentially and 11% year-over-year on a pro forma basis. Operating expenses were 21.4% of net revenue, down from 23.6% last quarter on a pro forma basis. Pro forma EPS on a diluted basis was 19 cents (compared with the consensus analyst estimate of 8 cents), up from pro forma EPS of 12 cents in the third quarter and down from pro forma EPS of 41 cents in the year-ago quarter. Pro forma earnings this quarter excluded a $282 million pre-tax restructuring charge for workforce reduction, as well as several other items. Including these items, GAAP total EPS was 5 cents per diluted share on approximately 2 billion shares of common stock and equivalents outstanding. GAAP total EPS on a diluted basis for the same period last year was 45 cents. "In a tough environment, we stayed focused on customers and business fundamentals. We generated sequential revenue growth, expense reductions and pro forma EPS improvements, as well as $1.8 billion in operating cash flow in the fourth quarter. Results were driven by excellent execution in imaging and printing and good performance in services. While overall computing systems results remain weak, we saw improvement in certain segments including storage and PCs. We reduced our cost structure, improved our operational effectiveness and managed inventory aggressively," said Carly Fiorina, chairman and chief executive officer. "While executing well, we continue to focus on our long-term objectives. We are convinced that the Compaq transaction is a unique opportunity to move HP into the future and benefit our shareowners, customers and employees. We expect this transaction to create substantial earnings accretion soon after the merger closes. With Compaq's customer base and complementary products and services, we will materially strengthen key HP businesses. "HP has always stood for a willingness to innovate and evolve in the face of changing markets. The company has successfully reinvented itself many times in the past, and we must continue to do so to deliver sustainable shareowner value. "In 2001, we met many of the major objectives we set for HP and we thank our employees for staying the course and making sacrifices during a year of unprecedented challenges. They enabled HP to be among the select few technology companies to remain profitable throughout 2001. In recognition of their efforts, we have awarded all employees and managers, other than the Executive Council, a special cash bonus equivalent to two days' salary, with a total cost of approximately $45 million."