Compaq October Sales ‘Normal’

Compaq Computer Corp.’s October sales “looked very normal,” although questions linger about whether year 2000 concerns will slow PC buying in the final weeks of the quarter, Chief Executive Michael Capellas said. Also, Compaq unveiled a $499 device designed to hook business customers to the Internet. The iPaq will go on sale early next year as Compaq targets what it sees as corporate demand for simplified computers to revive its sales and earnings. The iPaq is smaller than a traditional personal computer and designed to last longer. Compaq rose $1.25 to $22 in trading of 35.9 million shares, making it the fourth-most-active U.S. stock.