Hewlett-Packard on Monday said it was splitting its personal computer and printer groups into separate business units, just five months after the US company combined the two operations in a bid to accelerate growth and strengthen its market position.

The move was among the first major changes made by Mark Hurd, who was appointed chief executive on April 1. He replaced Carly Fiorina, who made the decision to combine the two business units less than one month before she was fired in February.