HP may face testy shareholders

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Hewlett-Packard Co.'s annual meeting will give shareholders an opportunity to vent their frustration over the personal computer maker's botched acquisitions and other follies that have been plaguing the Silicon Valley pioneer.

Wednesday afternoon's meeting in Mountain View, Calif., might have turned into an even bigger gripe session if not for a recent upturn in HP's stock price. The shares have surged by more than 60 percent so far this year on the hope that the company is starting a gradual turnaround under CEO Meg Whitman.

Even with that rebound, HP's stock is still hovering around the same price as when Whitman took over 18 months ago.

HP's two longest-tenured directors, John Hammergren and G. Kennedy Thompson, are now being targeted in an effort to oust them from the board.