THE NEWS WRAP: Hewlett-Packard to go ahead with long-awaited split of operations

Hewlett-Packard plans to separate its PC and printer operation from corporate hardware and other units, sources told The Wall Street Journal.

The company plans to announce the move as early as Monday in the US. It’s one H-P and its investors and analysts have long contemplated. In 2011, when H-P announced the acquisition of UK software company Autonomy Corp, the company said it was exploring a separation of its PC business.

However, under pressure from shareholders the company reversed course two months later.

Snapchat wanted MessageMe before Yahoo! acquisition

Mobile messaging app MessageMe has been acquired by Yahoo. The deal, according to TechCrunch sources is a talent acquisition and the deal is worth between $US30 and $US40 million ($A34-46 million).

Prior to the acquisition, Snapchat had shown interest in MessageMe, as well as European app maker Truecaller.

MessageMe chose Yahoo! because they were planning on hiring eight people, more than Snapchat would have done, and the team will get to work together on a new messaging product.

Google to make security guards employees

Tech giant Google plans to hire more than 200 security guards as its own employees rather than outside contractors. The move comes amid rising concerns about income disparities in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The guards will be eligible for the same benefits as other Google employees, including health insurance, retirement benefits, on-site medical services, leave for new parents and more.

Overnight

The Dow Jones Industrial Average is up 208.64 to 17,009.69. The Australian dollar is currently trading at US87 cents.