Bull case
NTAP would need investors to value it at roughly 19x earnings — about 5x more generous than today's 14x 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 NTAP stock could go
NTAP would need investors to value it at roughly 19x earnings — about 5x more generous than today's 14x forward P/E. That requires meaningful multiple expansion on top of continued earnings growth.
At 18x on FY1 earnings, the base case reflects a reasonable but not stretched valuation. It prices in continued growth without assuming an exceptional setup.
If investor confidence fades or macro conditions deteriorate, a 9x multiple contraction could push NTAP down roughly 65% from where it trades now.
Not financial advice. Model confidence reflects internal scenario assumptions, not a guarantee of returns. Past performance does not predict future results.

NetApp is a data management and storage company that provides hybrid cloud infrastructure solutions for enterprises. It generates revenue primarily through software subscriptions (~60% of total) and hardware sales (~40%), with its cloud services segment growing rapidly. The company's key advantage is its unified data platform—ONTAP—which allows seamless data management across on-premises and multiple public clouds, creating significant switching costs for enterprise customers.
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 | $1.93/$1.90 | +1.6% | $1.7B/$1.7B | +0.5% |
| Q3 2025 | $1.55/$1.54 | +0.6% | $1.6B/$1.5B | +0.7% |
| Q4 2025 | $2.05/$1.88 | +9.0% | $1.7B/$1.7B | +1.0% |
| Q1 2026 | $2.12/$2.06 | +2.9% | $1.7B/$1.7B | +1.0% |
NTAP beat EPS estimates in 4 of 4 tracked quarters. A perfect track record raises the bar for the upcoming report.
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. $197 — implies +75.7% from today's price.
| Metric | NTAP | S&P 500 | Technology | 5Y Avg NTAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward PE | 14.3x | 19.1x-25% | 22.1x-35% | — |
| Trailing PE | 20.1x | 25.1x-20% | 26.7x-25% | 18.0x+12% |
| PEG Ratio | 2.01x | 1.72x+17% | 1.52x+32% | — |
| EV/EBITDA | 14.8x | 15.2x | 17.5x-15% | 12.3x+20% |
| Price/FCF | 16.9x | 21.1x-20% | 19.5x-13% | 15.1x+12% |
| Price/Sales | 3.4x | 3.1x | 2.4x+41% | 2.8x+22% |
| Dividend Yield | 1.78% | 1.87% | 1.16% | 2.50% |
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 toolNTAP generates $1.3B in free cash flow at a 19.9% margin — 54.4% ROIC signals a durable competitive advantage · returns 6.9% of market cap to shareholders annually.
Revenue, margins, and cash generation
ROIC, leverage, and debt serviceability
~0.6 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
NetApp faces significant risks related to maintaining effective internal financial reporting controls due to the implementation of a new ERP system. This could lead to financial misstatements and a decline in investor confidence.
There is a risk of a terminal decline in the external storage market due to increased reliance on public cloud services. This shift could severely impact NetApp's revenue and market position.
Missing the fiscal year 2025 $1 billion Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) target could lead to underperformance in stock value. This risk is compounded by declining free cash flow and heightened competition.
The data management and storage solutions market is highly competitive, with established players and emerging startups. NetApp risks losing market share to competitors offering innovative or more cost-effective solutions.
Rapid technological advancements pose a threat to NetApp's existing product lines, necessitating continuous innovation and adaptation to maintain market relevance.
NetApp's heavy reliance on its Hybrid Cloud segment for revenue exposes the company to market fluctuations and shifts in technology trends. Diversification into areas like Public Cloud services is crucial for long-term stability.
NetApp has shown only stable, moderate revenue growth, lagging behind the sector's momentum. This cautious growth rate over the past three years may affect investor sentiment.
While some analyses suggest NetApp is fairly valued, others note that its current P/E ratio may indicate a slightly overvalued stock based on historical averages, especially without corresponding revenue growth.
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
NetApp has demonstrated solid revenue growth, with a 4.85% increase in fiscal year 2025, reaching $6.57 billion, and a significant 20.28% increase in earnings to $1.19 billion. Recent quarterly reports show continued year-over-year revenue growth, with Q3 2026 revenue at $1.71 billion, up 4% year-over-year.
The company boasts strong gross margins, often exceeding 70%, and has seen improvements in operating and net profit margins. Its Return on Equity (ROE) is also notably high, indicating efficient capital use.
NetApp has shown strong momentum in its all-flash portfolio, with a 19% increase in annual recurring revenue (ARR). This growth reflects the company's successful strategy in expanding its subscription-based offerings.
NetApp is well-positioned to benefit from the growing demand for AI-driven storage solutions and continues to see rapid growth in its public cloud business. Its strategic integration with companies like Google Cloud and Nutanix enhances its hybrid cloud offerings and expands its reach.
The company continues to gain market share in the all-flash storage market, with record all-flash array revenue reported. This trend indicates strong demand for its innovative storage solutions.
Several analyses suggest NetApp is trading at a discount compared to its industry peers and the broader market, presenting an attractive entry point for value investors. Its Price-to-Earnings (P/E) ratio is noted as being lower than industry and S&P 500 averages.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NTA NTAP NetApp, Inc. | $22.6B | 14.3x | +3.0% | 18.1% | Hold | +5.6% |
PST PSTG Pure Storage, Inc. | $22.0B | 29.2x | +16.4% | 5.1% | Buy | +29.4% |
HPE HPE Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company | $39.9B | 12.5x | +11.7% | -0.4% | Hold | -4.4% |
DEL DELL Dell Technologies Inc. | $72.3B | 21.7x | +4.6% | 5.2% | Buy | -22.1% |
IBM IBM International Business Machines Corporation | $214.8B | 18.4x | +4.9% | 15.6% | Hold | +35.2% |
STX STX Seagate Technology Holdings plc | $168.1B | 52.3x | +13.7% | 21.6% | Buy | -19.1% |
This peer comparison reflects companies with similar business models, product lines, or market positioning, supplemented by industry grouping when direct matches are limited.
NTAP returns capital mainly through $1.1B/year in buybacks (5.1% buyback yield), with a modest 1.78% dividend — combining for 6.9% total shareholder yield.
Yield, cadence, and growth quality
How much per-share support comes from repurchases
| Year | Div / Share | YoY Grw | BB Yield | Total Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $1.04 | — | — | — |
| 2025 | $2.08 | +2.0% | 6.1% | 8.4% |
| 2024 | $2.04 | +2.0% | 4.1% | 6.0% |
| 2023 | $2.00 | 0.0% | 6.1% | 9.3% |
| 2022 | $2.00 | +2.0% | 3.6% | 6.2% |
Common questions answered from live analyst data and company financials.
NetApp, Inc. (NTAP) is rated Hold by Wall Street analysts as of 2026. Of 70 analysts covering the stock, 26 rate it Buy or Strong Buy, 35 rate it Hold, and 9 rate it Sell or Strong Sell. The consensus 12-month price target is $121, implying +5.6% from the current price of $114. The bear case scenario is $40 and the bull case is $153.
The Wall Street consensus price target for NTAP is $121 based on 70 analyst estimates. The high-end target is $137 (+20.0% from today), and the low-end target is $89 (-22.0%). The base case model target is $145.
NTAP trades at 14.3x 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 NTAP in 2026 are: (1) ERP System Implementation — NetApp faces significant risks related to maintaining effective internal financial reporting controls due to the implementation of a new ERP system. (2) External Storage Market Decline — There is a risk of a terminal decline in the external storage market due to increased reliance on public cloud services. (3) Potential Underperformance — Missing the fiscal year 2025 $1 billion Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) target could lead to underperformance in stock value. Each factor has the potential to pressure earnings or compress the stock's valuation multiple.
Analyst consensus estimates NTAP will report consensus revenue of $6.9B (+3.0% year-over-year) and EPS of $6.91 (+14.0% year-over-year) for the upcoming fiscal year. The following year, analysts project $7.2B in revenue.
A confirmed upcoming earnings date for NTAP is not yet available. Check the Earnings section above for the most recent quarterly report dates and forward estimates.
NetApp, Inc. (NTAP) generated $1.3B in free cash flow over the trailing twelve months — a free cash flow margin of 19.9%. NTAP returns capital to shareholders through dividends (1.8% yield) and share repurchases ($1.1B TTM).