HP helped lead the 2006 tech turnaround

In surveying the financial tech sector news this week there is no shortage of folks wrapping up 2006 and casting lots for 2007’s predictions.

HP keeps showing up in those summaries, like this one from FT.com (subscription required).

Hewlett-Packard has continued to harvest cost savings across its businesses and enjoyed a shift in PC demand towards its stronger areas – including laptops and international markets. Not only did it outpace Dell (NASDAQ:DELL) in revenues but it also increased its once almost non-existent margins to near those of its rival.

And all this despite having no shortage of negative press, too.