Hewlett-Packard is splitting into two companies, using a breakup to become nimbler after failing to keep up with the shift away from the printing and personal computing businesses it pioneered.

Former BT chief executive Ben Verwaayen was today named as the new boss of troubled telecoms equipment firm Alcatel-Lucent.

Top politicians and business people have been lined up for one of the most prestigious events in the Irish business calendar next week.

IMI’s 2005 conference is designed to ensure the country stays in the top flight of global economic performers in the years ahead.

THE largest US telephone-equipment maker, Lucent Technologies Inc, had first-quarter net income of $338 million as sales rose for the first time in more than three years on demand for wireless-network gear.