Why Hewlett-Packard Company (HPQ)’s Blowing the Dow (.DJI) Away

IBM has offered an interesting change-up recently by positioning Watson, its robot that gained publicity for its success on Jeopardy, as a customer service agent. IBM’s Watson Client Engagement Advisor is a step to bridge the gap between cheap automated customer service and actual humans, offering a more insightful technological assistant with all the knowledge of a computer at hand. It’s an interesting take on traditional customer service that could, at the very least, relieve customers frustrated with traditional automated service.

Alcoa Inc (NYSE:AA) leads the Dow downward today with losses of 2.2%, a casualty of China’s downbeat data. The metals industry as a whole has suffered from pricing pressures and lack of demand, and Alcoa has been one of the worst Dow performers year to date. With Chinese aluminum-suppliers projected to increase production and further dilute the market, the slowdown in the world’s second-largest economy won’t help boost prices — something Alcoa desperately needs to turn around its fortunes.

The article Why Hewlett-Packard’s Blowing the Dow Away originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Dan Carroll has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM).

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