Hewlett-Packard Company (HPQ) Extends the Dow’s Record Rise: Alcoa Inc (AA), Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO)

A day after hitting a record high, the Dow Jones Industrial Average 2 Minute (Dow Jones Indices: .DJI) isn’t stopping to rest on its laurels. As of 2:20 p.m. EST, the index has risen 31 points, or 0.22%, to continue pushing into uncharted territory. Most stocks are in the green today, and the tech sector’s rise is giving a nice boost to the markets. Let’s dig into the details.

Tech highs and lows
Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE:HPQ) isn’t stopping to admire the Dow’s new record. The tech giant leads all Dow stocks higher, with shares up 3.8%. Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE:HPQ) had an awful 2012, but 2013 has turned the tables on this stock: Since Jan. 1, shares have jumped a whopping 36% as investors look to take advantage of a potential turnaround opportunity. Take care if you’re tempted, however: Analysts still expect the PC market to decline in 2013, and Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE:HPQ) still has a long road back to respectability ahead of it. Until this company can establish a competitive long-term plan, I’d avoid this volatile stock.

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) isn’t helping the PC market’s fortunes, as its new Windows 8 operating system has gotten off to a sluggish start. The company is offering the new OS at a discount to equipment manufacturers, according to The Wall Street Journal. Microsoft is hoping manufacturers will move into creating smaller, touch-based notebooks and laptops with Windows 8 in mind, but between the lackluster reception to the OS, Microsoft’s sluggish Surface tablet sales, and the PC market’s fall, investors should tread lightly around this vulnerable stock. Shares of the company lead all Dow laggards lower by losing 1%.