Hewlett-Packard Fails To Meet Profit Views, But Dell Hits Its Mark; Angry HP CEO Axes 3 Execs; But leading direct seller reiterates strong outlook, says not all techs hurting.(A)

Byline: Ken Spencer Brown and Patrick Seitz

Hewlett-Packard and Dell could serve as bookends for the latest financial results from tech companies.

HP's quarterly results looked to be worse than the other mostly disappointing earnings and outlooks techs have unveiled since early July. Dell's numbers and outlook cast a brighter light on things.

But Dell might not help staunch bleeding technology stocks. HP's fiscal third-quarter results, delivered before regular trading began Thursday, helped knock many tech shares lower. Dell reported its fiscal second quarter after the close of the regular session. Its shares were up 2% after hours.

That HP would hurt stocks Thursday was not in doubt after its report. It failed to meet expectations for last quarter, said it would fail to meet expectations this quarter and came in for some stinging criticism from Chief Executive Carly Fiorina, who later Thursday announced three high-level firings.

Dell met sales and earnings views -- it raised its profit view …