HP Bid for Kodak Speculation

By Adam Dewitz on October 15th, 2007

The Financial Times is reporting that industry sources (probably investment bankers dreaming of putting together a big deal) say HP may take a look again at buying Eastman Kodak:

The rationale is that listed HP, now the world’s biggest computer and printer maker, and listed Kodak, the No. 1 maker of cameras and photo equipment, would create a global imaging powerhouse. The move also could strengthen HP in the imaging market, where listed Apple is benefiting from its iPhone for consumers. Kodak already has a 10-year deal to develop camera sensors for mobile phones from listed Motorola.

According to the article, Kodak CEO Antonio Perez has transformed the company into a trimmer and better financially sound busines. Kodak shares have gained 23% in the past year, giving the company a market capitalization of USD 7.84bn and enterprise value of USD 7.52bn.

As far as speculation goes, this is far out there. It’s odd the Financial Times ran with a story that cites no credible source, but relies on “a source who has worked on deals with the company.”