Bull case
HPQ would need investors to value it at roughly 16x earnings — about 8x more generous than today's 7x forward P/E. That requires meaningful multiple expansion on top of continued earnings growth.
Wall Street verdict, consensus price target, and analyst rating breakdown — everything needed to frame the risk/reward at today's price.
Three scenarios for where HPQ stock could go
HPQ would need investors to value it at roughly 16x earnings — about 8x more generous than today's 7x forward P/E. That requires meaningful multiple expansion on top of continued earnings growth.
At 8x on FY1 earnings, the base case reflects a reasonable but not stretched valuation. It prices in continued growth without assuming an exceptional setup.
The bear case assumes sentiment or fundamentals disappoint enough to push HPQ down roughly 3% from the current price.
Not financial advice. Model confidence reflects internal scenario assumptions, not a guarantee of returns. Past performance does not predict future results.

HP Inc. is a global technology company that manufactures personal computers, printers, and related supplies and services. It generates revenue primarily through two segments: Personal Systems (roughly 65% of revenue) selling PCs and workstations, and Printing (roughly 35%) selling printers and high-margin consumables like ink and toner. The company's competitive advantage lies in its entrenched enterprise relationships and the recurring revenue stream from its printer supplies business—often described as a "razor-and-blades" model.
Quarterly beat-or-miss track record against analyst estimates, plus forward revenue and EPS outlook for the next two fiscal years.
| Quarter | EPS (Actual / Est) | EPS Surprise | Revenue (Actual / Est) | Rev Surprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q2 2025 | $0.71/$0.78 | -8.4% | $13.2B/$13.1B | +0.9% |
| Q3 2025 | $0.75/$0.74 | +0.7% | $13.9B/$13.7B | +1.8% |
| Q4 2025 | $0.93/$0.92 | +1.0% | $14.6B/$14.5B | +1.0% |
| Q1 2026 | $0.81/$0.77 | +5.9% | $14.4B/$13.9B | +3.6% |
HPQ beat EPS estimates in 3 of 4 tracked quarters. A strong delivery record supports forward estimate credibility.
Product and geographic revenue mix from the latest annual disclosure, with year-over-year growth by segment.
Latest annual revenue by segment or product family
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Latest annual revenue by reported region
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Current multiples compared to the S&P 500, the company's sector, and its own five-year average.
Fair value est. $59 — implies +181.8% from today's price.
| Metric | HPQ | S&P 500 | Technology | 5Y Avg HPQ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward PE | 7.4x | 19.1x-61% | 22.1x-67% | — |
| Trailing PE | 8.0x | 25.1x-68% | 26.7x-70% | 9.2x-13% |
| PEG Ratio | 1.38x | 1.72x-20% | 1.52x | — |
| EV/EBITDA | 5.9x | 15.2x-62% | 17.5x-66% | 7.7x-24% |
| Price/FCF | 6.9x | 21.1x-67% | 19.5x-65% | 8.7x-21% |
| Price/Sales | 0.4x | 3.1x-89% | 2.4x-86% | 0.5x-34% |
| Dividend Yield | 5.40% | 1.87% | 1.16% | 3.45% |
Forward P/E and PEG reflect analyst consensus estimates. Historical averages use trailing ratios where forward data is unavailable.S&P 500 and sector benchmarks both use trailing median P/E — similar readings indicate the broader index and sector are priced alike.
Open valuation toolHPQ 41.2% ROIC signals a durable competitive advantage — returns 9.8% of market cap to shareholders annually.
Revenue, margins, and cash generation
ROIC, leverage, and debt serviceability
~2.5 years to full repayment at current FCF run-rate
How capital is returned to owners
All figures from the trailing twelve months. ROIC uses invested capital (equity + net debt).
Open full ratios pageKey factors that could pressure the stock price, compress the multiple, or weigh on future results.
AI analysis · updated April 29, 2026
HP's current and quick ratios indicate potential liquidity challenges, with a negative debt-to-equity ratio suggesting a high level of leverage. An Altman Z-Score below the distress threshold highlights elevated financial distress risk.
HP operates in a highly competitive technology sector with numerous established players and emerging companies vying for market share. This intense competition can lead to pricing pressures, reduced profit margins, and challenges in maintaining or expanding market presence.
Economic downturns and currency fluctuations can significantly impact HP's business by reducing consumer and business spending on technology products. This could adversely affect revenue and profitability.
The personal computing and printing markets are highly sensitive to economic cycles. During downturns, purchasing decisions for new equipment may be delayed, leading to margin compression and reduced revenues.
The rapid pace of technological advancements poses a risk of products becoming obsolete. HP must continuously invest in research and development to stay relevant and meet evolving customer needs.
Higher tariffs and memory costs are impacting HP's margins. Tariffs increase the cost of components and materials, while memory shortages can further pressure margins.
HP's printing segment faces a structural decline due to digitization and remote work, with no recovery expected. This decline could further impact overall revenue.
Factors such as human resources, lack of segregation of functions, and inadequate user and password administration can lead to operational risks, including fraud, theft, or data loss.
These are risk mechanisms, not predictions. The key question is which would force a cut to earnings estimates or a lower multiple than the market currently prices in.
Structural drivers behind the upside case and why the stock could outperform over the next 12 months.
AI analysis · updated April 29, 2026
HP is focusing on the emerging AI PC market and advanced computing solutions. This is seen as a significant growth driver that could boost revenue and profit margins if the company executes well.
HP has implemented significant cost-saving programs, including a target of $1.9 billion in structural savings. The company is also identifying further savings through AI initiatives, aiming for approximately $1 billion in annualized operational expense savings.
HPQ stock is trading at a low P/E ratio, significantly below the broader market and its industry peers. Some analyses suggest the stock is undervalued, with a discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis indicating a fair value significantly higher than its current trading price.
HP has a strong track record of returning capital to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks. It has consistently increased its quarterly dividend for 15 consecutive years, offering a dividend yield above 6%.
For fiscal year 2025, revenue increased by 3.2% to $55.3 billion. Although earnings saw a slight decrease in fiscal year 2025, there are expectations for modest earnings growth in the coming year.
Recent product launches, including new industrial 3D printing systems and an updated LaserJet portfolio, along with the 'HP IQ' on-device AI platform, are seen as potential catalysts for growth.
A real bull case compounds — each driver matters most when it strengthens margins, supports capital returns, and keeps the company above the market's minimum growth bar simultaneously.
52-week range context and price returns across multiple time horizons. Dividend contribution is shown separately in the Capital Return section.
Range context matters because valuation compression and earnings misses rarely hit from the same starting point. A stock already far below its high can still fall, but it is no longer carrying the same embedded optimism as one pressing a fresh peak.
Valuation, growth, and margin comparison against the closest publicly traded peers for this company.
| Company | Mkt Cap | Fwd PE | Rev Grw | Margin | Rating | Upside |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HPQ HPQ HP Inc. | $19.4B | 7.4x | +0.1% | 4.5% | Hold | -6.4% |
DEL DELL Dell Technologies Inc. | $72.3B | 21.7x | +4.6% | 5.2% | Buy | -22.1% |
AAP AAPL Apple Inc. | $4.17T | 33.4x | +4.0% | 27.2% | Buy | +11.6% |
MSF MSFT Microsoft Corporation | $3.06T | 24.8x | +7.0% | 39.3% | Buy | +34.1% |
XRX XRX Xerox Holdings Corporation | $345M | 5.7x | +5.7% | -14.1% | Sell | +288.3% |
INT INTC Intel Corporation | $543.2B | 103.7x | +3.9% | -5.9% | Hold | -28.7% |
This peer comparison reflects companies with similar business models, product lines, or market positioning, supplemented by industry grouping when direct matches are limited.
HPQ returns 9.8% total yield, led by a 5.40% dividend, raised 9 consecutive years. Buybacks add another 4.4%.
Yield, cadence, and growth quality
How much per-share support comes from repurchases
| Year | Div / Share | YoY Grw | BB Yield | Total Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $0.30 | — | — | — |
| 2025 | $1.17 | +4.7% | 3.2% | 7.3% |
| 2024 | $1.12 | +5.0% | 6.0% | 9.0% |
| 2023 | $1.06 | +5.0% | 0.4% | 4.3% |
| 2022 | $1.01 | +21.8% | 14.8% | 18.4% |
Common questions answered from live analyst data and company financials.
HP Inc. (HPQ) is rated Hold by Wall Street analysts as of 2026. Of 52 analysts covering the stock, 16 rate it Buy or Strong Buy, 28 rate it Hold, and 8 rate it Sell or Strong Sell. The consensus 12-month price target is $20, implying -6.4% from the current price of $21. The bear case scenario is $22 and the bull case is $45.
The Wall Street consensus price target for HPQ is $20 based on 52 analyst estimates. The high-end target is $22 (+4.0% from today), and the low-end target is $18 (-14.9%). The base case model target is $24.
HPQ trades at 7.4x times forward earnings. The stock currently trades at a discount to the broader market. Based on current multiples versus the peer group, the relative model signals significantly undervalued. Whether the stock is over or undervalued ultimately depends on whether consensus earnings estimates are achievable.
The primary risks for HPQ in 2026 are: (1) Financial Health and Liquidity — HP's current and quick ratios indicate potential liquidity challenges, with a negative debt-to-equity ratio suggesting a high level of leverage. (2) Intense Competition — HP operates in a highly competitive technology sector with numerous established players and emerging companies vying for market share. (3) Global Economic Conditions — Economic downturns and currency fluctuations can significantly impact HP's business by reducing consumer and business spending on technology products. Each factor has the potential to pressure earnings or compress the stock's valuation multiple.
Analyst consensus estimates HPQ will report consensus revenue of $56.3B (+0.1% year-over-year) and EPS of $2.84 (+5.3% year-over-year) for the upcoming fiscal year. The following year, analysts project $56.5B in revenue.
HP Inc. is expected to report its next earnings on approximately 2026-05-27. Consensus expects EPS of $0.71 and revenue of $14.0B. Over recent quarters, HPQ has beaten EPS estimates 42% of the time.
HP Inc. (HPQ) generated $2.9B in free cash flow over the trailing twelve months — a free cash flow margin of 5.1%. HPQ returns capital to shareholders through dividends (5.4% yield) and share repurchases ($850M TTM).