Hewlett-Packard Co. said on Thursday that it expects growth to return to the information technology industry in 2010 and Hewlett-Packard Co. would lead the market in growth.

Mark Hurd, chief executive of the company, company's profit and revenue in next year would be in line with analysts' expectations as spending on several critical HP products has started showing signs of pick up.

Speaking his mind, Mark Hurd said, "I know we'll get questions about how fast the market's going to grow. Whatever that answer is that's handed to us in 2010, we will grow faster."

HP forecast that its revenue should be between $117 billion to $118 billion in fiscal 2010.

A group of analysts from Reuters had been forecasting a $4.23 profit on sale of $118.1 billion.

HP's personal computer business is expected to grow 2 per cent to 4 per cent in 2010, while its printer business is expected to be flat to up just 2 per cent.

In the after hours shares in HP slipped 1.9 per cent to $46.00 from $46.87.