Hewlett-Packard Co.: The Palo Alto computer and...

Hewlett-Packard Co.: The Palo Alto computer and scientific instrument maker’s third-quarter profit fell 3% from a year ago to $187 million, reflecting the acquisition of Apollo Computer Inc. and continuing problems predicting demand for its products, the firm said. Without the $476.4-million acquisition of Apollo, profit would have risen 15%, the firm said. Revenue, helped by an increase in orders, rose 23% to $3 billion.