Compaq Buys Inacom Assets

Compaq Computer Corp. said it is acquiring operations from computer distributor Inacom Corp. that will boost its ability to custom-build personal computers, part of its strategy for competing with Dell Computer Corp., the world’s No. 1 PC direct seller. Compaq, the world’s largest personal computer maker, will pay $370 million in cash for the Inacom assets, which will help it configure computers for its customers and manage the entire ordering process. Compaq also has entered into a three-year agreement that will let it use Inacom’s service capabilities to offer customers more computer services. Omaha-based Inacom said the three-year agreement was expected to provide it with “substantial incremental services revenues.” On the NYSE, shares of Houston-based Compaq fell $2.38 to close at $28.63, and shares of Inacom jumped $1.88 to $9.50 before trading was halted in late afternoon.