Hewlett-Packard's Fourth Quarter Earnings Previewed At Deutsche Bank

Sherri Scribner of Deutsche Bank expects

to post profitability improvements in fourth quarter earnings results on Tuesday after market close. Scribner is looking for Hewlett-Packard to report an overall in-line quarter with the potential for earnings per share growth due to share buybacks. The analyst expects operating margins to improve quarter over quarter and year over year driven by Enterprise Services margins. Scribner adds that the company's PC segment will be a key focus in the quarterly results. Investors will likely focus on how management guides PC demand into 2014 year end and into the first quarter of 2015. Scribner expects management to offer further details on the company's competitive advantage in the 3D printing segment despite the fact that 3D related products won't be rolled out until 2016. Finally, Scribner notes that management is not expected to issue additional details related to the previously announced split during the conference call. Scribner expects Hewlett-Packard to earn $1.06 per share on revenue of $29.097 billion in the fourth quarter. Shares are Buy rated with a price target raised to $45 from a previous $40.