Hewlett-Packard makes higher bid for data storage company 3Par against rival Dell

HP makes higher bid for 3Par against rival Dell

PALO ALTO, Calif. — Hewlett-Packard is making a bid of $24 per share for data storage provider 3Par just a week after rival Dell agreed to acquire the company.

Hewlett-Packard Co. and Dell Inc. both have been looking to expand from personal computers over the past few years in a search for bigger profits.

HP’s bid tops Dell’s offer of $18 per share.

Shares of 3Par Inc., based in Fremont, Calif., rose $6.66, or 37 percent, to $24.70 in premarket trading.

HP is based in Palo Alto, Calif. Dell is based in Round Rock, Texas.