
HPQ · NYSE
Consensus is $0.75 EPS for Oct 2026 across 5 estimates, ranging $0.74 to $0.77.
HP's fiscal third quarter was a revenue-led beat, with pricing and mix in Personal Systems offsetting lower unit volumes and continued weakness in Printing. Revenue reached a record $15.68 billion, up 12.5% from $13.93 billion a year ago and 8.8% from $14.41 billion in Q2. Non-GAAP EPS was $0.83 versus the $0.75 consensus and $0.75 a year ago, although $0.11 of the quarter's EPS benefited from tariff refunds. GAAP EPS was $0.71, below $0.80 a year ago but above $0.49 in Q2; the year-ago GAAP result included favorable tax and litigation items.
The main operating story was the divergence between the two segments. Personal Systems revenue rose 18% to $11.8 billion, but units fell 16% and segment margin contracted to 4.6% from 5.4% as component costs increased. Printing revenue fell 2% to $3.9 billion, while its margin improved to 18.1% on pricing and tariff refunds. HP generated $1.6 billion of free cash flow and raised its full-year EPS and cash-flow outlook, suggesting confidence in its ability to manage near-term cost pressures. However, the outlook includes tariff benefits, and HP continues to execute a restructuring plan expected to reduce headcount by 4,000-6,000 employees through fiscal 2028.
HP raised its fiscal 2026 outlook after EPS exceeded the top end of its prior range. The updated guidance incorporates tariff refunds but also reflects continued cost and supply-chain pressure.
Personal Systems supplied the quarter's growth, with revenue benefiting from substantial price increases and a richer product mix. The trade-off was materially lower unit volume and weaker segment profitability as memory and storage costs rose.
Printing remained a declining business on revenue, reflecting lower installed-base usage, softer demand and competitive pressure. Pricing, mix and tariff refunds supported profitability despite the top-line decline.
The quarter's earnings benefited from tariff refunds, while the underlying cost environment remained difficult. HP is also incurring substantial restructuring costs as it pursues an AI-enabled productivity program.
Working capital and operating performance produced strong cash generation, allowing HP to continue shareholder distributions while reducing debt from the start of the fiscal year.