HP Inc. (HPQ)
NYSEInformation TechnologyComputer HardwareSnapshot 2026-09-04
$32.64+2.22%
Close 2026-09-04 · 1-day change
NYSEInformation TechnologyComputer HardwareSnapshot 2026-09-04
QuarterlyIQ Insights · HPQ
How strong the business is — where it ranks within its sector on capital efficiency and cash generation, and how well management has been executing.
How this business ranks within information technology on a research-validated quality screen. As of 2026-09-04.
The screen ranks HPQ against its sector on four durable signals: share dilution, return on capital, free-cash-flow yield, and FCF margin. Historically the highest-quality names tended toward better typical outcomes and fewer bad years over multi-year holds (strongest at three years, modest at one), and that pattern showed up even before the price moved. It characterizes business quality, not price direction.
Each leg is a sector-relative percentile (higher is better); 4 of 4 legs were available for this name. The composite is built from these four; the raw value follows each percentile for context.
A forward quality tilt, not a price prediction, and context for your own research rather than a recommendation. Not investment advice.
How management runs the business: capital, margins, balance sheet, and how reliably they guide and deliver.
Each factor is a parallel diagnostic with a clear read of what it shows and how names like it have historically fared. Never aggregated into a single score.
Operating income rose in 1 of the last 3 quarter-over-quarter moves. Historically, Information Technology names rated neutral grew net income 55% of the time over the next year (vs 56% for the rest of the cohort, n=8445).
Not investment advice. Scores describe historical and current data; they are not forecasts of future returns. Consult a licensed advisor before making investment decisions.
Met or beat guidance 88% of the last 8 guided quarters · 25.2% avg surprise
Priorities management has stated in recent disclosures, with status and evidence drawn from earnings calls, filings, and press releases.
Continue to advance customer satisfaction, product innovation, and productivity primarily through artificial intelligence adoption and enablement, including workforce reductions and operational effic…
Stated as a priority in 6 of last 6 quarters. Management consistently emphasizes AI adoption and enablement to drive customer satisfaction, product innovation, and productivity, including workforce reductions. This priority is persistent and foundational to HP's fiscal 2026 plan, with recurring statements but no direct quantification of progress in the financials, indicating ongoing focus with limited specific delivery metrics disclosed.
“HP's fiscal 2026 plan includes efforts to drive customer satisfaction, product innovation, and productivity primarily through artificial intelligence adoption and enablement.”
“HP's fiscal 2026 plan includes efforts to drive customer satisfaction, product innovation, and productivity primarily through artificial intelligence adoption and enablement.”
“HP's fiscal 2026 plan includes efforts to drive customer satisfaction, product innovation, and productivity primarily through artificial intelligence adoption and enablement.”
“HP's fiscal 2026 plan includes efforts to drive customer satisfaction, product innovation, and productivity through artificial intelligence adoption and enablement.”
“HP's fiscal 2026 plan includes efforts to drive customer satisfaction, product innovation, and productivity through artificial intelligence adoption and enablement.”
“HP's fiscal 2026 plan includes efforts to drive customer satisfaction, product innovation, and productivity through artificial intelligence adoption and enablement.”
Maintain disciplined capital allocation to generate free cash flow in the range of $2.8 to $3.2 billion for fiscal year 2026.
Stated as a priority in 6 of last 6 quarters. HP has consistently guided free cash flow in the range of $2.6 to $3.0 billion, raising it to $3.0 to $3.2 billion by 2026-Q3. Actual free cash flow was $1.57 billion in 2026-Q3, showing progress toward the annual target. The trajectory is delivering with upward revisions and quarterly cash flow generation supporting the goal.
Maintain disciplined execution to achieve GAAP diluted net EPS in the range of approximately $2.5 to $2.6 for fiscal year 2026.
Stated as a priority in 6 of last 6 quarters. HP has maintained GAAP diluted net EPS guidance around $2.5 to $2.6 for fiscal 2026, narrowing the range slightly over time. Actual GAAP diluted EPS was $0.71 in 2026-Q3, above the prior guidance midpoint for the quarter. The trajectory is delivering with consistent reiteration and quarterly EPS results supporting the annual target.
Manage rising cost pressures through targeted mitigation strategies and structural cost savings to protect profitability.
Stated as a priority in 4 of last 6 quarters. Management has emphasized navigating cost pressures and executing mitigation plans. GAAP operating margin improved from 4.2% in 2026-Q2 to 5.7% in 2026-Q3, and operating income increased from $612M to $892M, indicating delivering progress on cost management and mitigation.
Over the trailing year it converted 1.05x of net income into operating cash flow. Historically, Information Technology names rated fragile grew net income 42% of the time over the next year (vs 59% for the rest of the cohort, n=3128).
Most sensitive to the broad stock market.
Not enough signal to read sensitivity to the US dollar, long-term interest rates, Fed net liquidity, real (inflation-adjusted) rates (low R² over the window).
12 material management or governance events in the past 24 months, led by executive changes. Historically, Information Technology names rated neutral grew net income 60% of the time over the next year (vs 57% for the rest of the cohort, n=3673).
Not investment advice. As of 2026-09-04.
“HP is raising its estimate of free cash flow to be in the range of $3.0 to $3.2 billion for fiscal 2026.”
“HP anticipates generating free cash flow in the range of $2.8 to $3.0 billion for fiscal 2026.”
“HP anticipates generating free cash flow in the range of $2.8 to $3.0 billion for fiscal 2026.”
“HP anticipates generating free cash flow in the range of $2.6 to $3.0 billion for fiscal 2026.”
“HP anticipates generating free cash flow in the range of $2.6 to $3.0 billion for fiscal 2026.”
“HP anticipates generating free cash flow in the range of $2.6 to $3.0 billion for fiscal 2026.”
“HP is raising its estimate of GAAP diluted net EPS to be in the range of $2.52 to $2.62 for fiscal 2026.”
“HP is updating its estimate of GAAP diluted net EPS to be in the range of $2.15 to $2.45 for fiscal 2026.”
“HP maintains its annual guidance with estimated GAAP diluted net EPS to be in the range of $2.47 to $2.77 for fiscal 2026.”
“For fiscal 2026, HP estimates GAAP diluted net EPS to be in the range of $2.47 to $2.77.”
“For fiscal 2026, HP continues to expect GAAP diluted net EPS in the range of $2.47 to $2.77.”
“For fiscal 2026, HP continues to expect GAAP diluted net EPS in the range of $2.47 to $2.77.”
“We are building on momentum to further mitigate near-term cost pressures while continuing to invest for long-term profitable growth.”
“We are executing with discipline in a dynamic environment and are strengthening our outlook for the fiscal year.”
“We are well practiced at managing through headwinds and remain focused on executing our mitigation plans.”
“We are taking decisive actions to mitigate recent cost headwinds and are investing in AI-enabled initiatives.”