HP Inc. (HPQ) is a leading global provider of personal computing and other digital access devices, imaging and printing products, and related technologies, solutions, and services. The company's diverse portfolio caters to individual consumers, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), and large enterprises, including customers in the government, health, and education sectors.
Financials
In the fiscal year 2023, HP reported annual net income of $3,263 million, annual revenue of $53,718 million, annual operating cash flow of $3,571 million, and annual free cash flow of $2,962 million. The company's financial performance has been resilient, showcasing its ability to navigate a dynamic and competitive environment.
For the second quarter of fiscal year 2024, HP reported net revenue of $12,800 million, a decrease of 0.8% (1.2% decrease on a constant currency basis) compared to the prior-year period. The company's net income for the quarter was $607 million, with earnings per share of $0.61 on a GAAP basis and $0.82 on a non-GAAP basis.
Segment Performance
The company's performance was driven by a mix of factors. In the Personal Systems segment, net revenue increased 3.1% (2.3% increase on a constant currency basis) year-over-year, with a 6.9% increase in PC unit volume, primarily due to a 11.7% increase in commercial PC units. This was partially offset by a 3.0% decline in average selling prices (ASPs). The Printing segment, on the other hand, saw a 7.8% (7.4% decrease on a constant currency basis) year-over-year decline in net revenue, driven by declines in both hardware and supplies.
Business Overview
HP's management remains focused on executing its strategic priorities, which include driving profitable growth in its core businesses, accelerating key growth areas, and delivering operational efficiency through its Future Ready transformation plan. The company is making progress on these fronts, as evidenced by its solid performance in the second quarter.
Personal Systems Strategy
In Personal Systems, HP's long-term strategic focus is on profitable growth through innovation, market segmentation, and portfolio simplification. The company is also investing in endpoint services and solutions, as the market shifts towards contractual offerings. Additionally, HP is driving innovation to enable productivity and collaboration, as PCs become essential for hybrid work, learning, and play.
Printing Strategy
In Printing, HP's long-term strategic focus is on offering innovative printing solutions and contractual offerings to serve consumers, SMBs, and large enterprises, as well as expanding its footprint in digital printing solutions for industrial graphics segments and applications, and 3D printing across digital manufacturing and strategic applications.
Growth Areas
HP's key growth areas, which include Hybrid Systems, Gaming, Workforce Solutions, Consumer Subscriptions, Industrial Graphics, and 3D & Personalization, are seeing promising developments. The company is committed to growing these areas at a rate faster than its core business, with accretive margins in the longer term.
Geographic Performance
Geographically, HP's international operations have historically represented a majority of its overall net revenue. For the second quarter of fiscal year 2024, the company's net revenue from the Americas increased 2.4%, while net revenue from Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) decreased 2.5%, and net revenue from Asia-Pacific and Japan (APJ) decreased 7.7%.
Outlook
Looking ahead, HP expects performance in the second half of fiscal year 2024 to be seasonally stronger than the first half. The company is narrowing its non-GAAP earnings per share outlook for the full fiscal year 2024 to a range of $3.30 to $3.60, and its GAAP earnings per share outlook to a range of $2.60 to $2.90.
Liquidity
HP's balance sheet remains strong, with a cash and cash equivalents balance of $2,442 million as of April 30, 2024. The company's free cash flow for the first six months of fiscal year 2024 was $481 million, and it expects to return approximately 100% of its free cash flow to shareholders in fiscal year 2024, as long as its gross leverage ratio remains below two times and no higher return on investment opportunities arise.
Conclusion
The company's capital allocation strategy, combined with its focus on operational efficiency and strategic investments, positions HP well to navigate the current macroeconomic challenges and capitalize on emerging opportunities in the technology landscape. With its innovative product portfolio, strong brand, and commitment to sustainability, HP is poised to continue delivering value to its shareholders.