Computing giant Hewlett Packard has extended the deadline for its offer for UK software company Autonomy until 3 October after receiving only 41.62% of acceptances from Autonomy shareholders.

HP is offering 2550p for each Autonomy share in a deal that values the data search software company at around £7,091m. Autonomy shares closed at 1,429p the night before the HP deal was announced.

HP's directors expect the acquisition will be earnings enhancing (on a non-generally accepted accounting principles basis) in the first full year of ownership.

Autonomy directors are recommending acceptance of the offer and have already done so in respect of their holdings, which account for 9.12% of the existing share capital of Autonomy.

At 11.05am, shares in Autonomy were flat at 2,524p.

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Autonomy Corporation (AU.) share price