Business Overview and History: HP Inc. was established in 1939 by Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard, two Stanford University graduates, who started the company in a small garage in Palo Alto, California. Their first product was an audio oscillator, which was quickly adopted by Walt Disney Studios for use in the production of the movie Fantasia. This innovative approach and commitment to quality laid the foundation for what would become one of the most iconic technology companies in the world.
Over the decades, HP has undergone several transformations, expanding its product portfolio and service offerings to meet the ever-changing needs of its customers. The company achieved significant milestones, including the introduction of the first commercial handheld scientific calculator in 1972 and the launch of the groundbreaking HP LaserJet printer in 1984. These innovations helped solidify HP's position as a leading provider of personal computing and imaging solutions.
In the early 2000s, HP faced challenges including a boardroom scandal and proxy fight that led to a management shakeup. The company also had to navigate industry shifts, such as the decline of the PC market and the rise of mobile devices, which impacted its core businesses. HP responded with restructuring efforts and continued to innovate, launching new products and services in areas like 3D printing, industrial graphics, and PC gaming.
In 2015, Hewlett-Packard Company underwent a corporate split, resulting in the creation of HP Inc. and Hewlett Packard Enterprise. HP Inc. retained the company's personal systems and printing businesses, while Hewlett Packard Enterprise focused on enterprise technology infrastructure, software, services, and financing. This strategic move allowed HP Inc. to sharpen its focus on its core competencies and drive growth in its key market segments.
Financial Overview: HP Inc. has demonstrated resilience in the face of industry challenges, posting solid financial results in recent years. As of the company's most recent fiscal year-end (October 31, 2023), HP reported revenue of $53.72 billion, a modest decline from the previous year's $62.91 billion. The company's net income for the same period stood at $3.26 billion, with a diluted earnings per share of $3.26.
For the most recent quarter (July 31, 2024), HP reported revenue of $13.52 billion, up 2.4% year-over-year. Net income for the quarter was $640 million. The increase in revenue was driven by strong performance in Personal Systems, partially offset by softer demand in Printing. Personal Systems revenue grew 5% year-over-year, marking the second consecutive quarter of growth, driven by strength in Commercial PCs. Printing revenue declined 3% year-over-year due to softer demand, unfavorable geographic mix, and a more competitive pricing environment.
HP's operating cash flow for the fiscal year 2023 was $3.57 billion, with free cash flow of $2.96 billion. For the most recent quarter, operating cash flow was $1.42 billion, and free cash flow was $1.26 billion.
Performance by Geographic Markets: Approximately 65% of HP's net revenue comes from outside the United States. For the most recent quarter, U.S. net revenue was $5.0 billion, up 2.9% year-over-year, and international net revenue was $8.5 billion, up 2.2% year-over-year.
Liquidity and Solvency: In terms of liquidity and solvency, HP maintains a healthy balance sheet. As of October 31, 2023, the company reported total assets of $37.00 billion and total liabilities of $38.07 billion. The debt-to-equity ratio as of October 31, 2023, was -6.914. As of July 31, 2024, HP had cash and cash equivalents of $2.79 billion, with a current ratio of 0.714 and a quick ratio of 0.426. The company also has access to a $5.0 billion sustainability-linked senior unsecured committed revolving credit facility, available until May 2026.
Segmental Performance: HP's business is organized into three main reportable segments: Personal Systems, Printing, and Corporate Investments.
The Personal Systems segment, which includes commercial and consumer desktops, notebooks, workstations, and other related products and services, generated revenue of $26.60 billion in fiscal year 2023, representing a year-over-year increase of 1.2%. This segment's operating margin stood at 6.2%, reflecting the company's focus on driving profitability through strategic initiatives. For the three months ended July 31, 2024, Personal Systems segment net revenue increased 4.9% (5.3% on a constant currency basis) compared to the prior year period, primarily due to a 3.6% increase in average selling price (ASPs) and a 1.1% increase in PC unit volume driven by Commercial PS.
The Printing segment, which encompasses consumer and commercial printer hardware, supplies, and services, reported revenue of $12.89 billion in fiscal year 2023, a decrease of 5.3% compared to the prior year. The segment's operating margin was 18.7%, showcasing HP's ability to maintain strong profitability even in a challenging market environment. For the three months ended July 31, 2024, Printing segment net revenue decreased 2.8% (1.9% on a constant currency basis) compared to the prior year period, driven by declines in Commercial Printing and Supplies as well as net unfavorable foreign currency impacts.
The Corporate Investments segment includes certain business incubation and investment projects. The loss from operations in Corporate Investments for the three months ended July 31, 2024, was primarily due to expenses associated with the company's incubation projects and investments in digital enablement.
Competitive Landscape and Risks: HP operates in a highly competitive technology industry, facing stiff competition from the likes of Dell Technologies (DELL), Lenovo, and Apple (AAPL) in the personal computing space, as well as Brother, Canon, and Epson in the printing market. The company's ability to innovate, maintain cost competitiveness, and address evolving customer needs will be crucial in preserving its market share and profitability.
Additionally, HP is exposed to various risks, including currency fluctuations, supply chain disruptions, and the ongoing shift in customer preferences towards subscription-based and cloud-based services. The company's ability to adapt to these market dynamics and execute its strategic initiatives will be key to its long-term success.
HP continues to experience challenges related to the current macroeconomic environment, changes in the competitive landscape, and business model changes in an evolving distribution and reseller landscape. The company is taking actions to address these challenges, including accelerating its Future Ready cost savings program.
Future Outlook and Guidance: For Q4 2024, HP expects Personal Systems revenue to increase sequentially low to mid-single digits, with continued strength in commercial but less seasonal growth in consumer. Personal Systems operating margin is expected to remain in the upper half of their long-term target range of 5% to 7%. Print revenue is anticipated to increase low to mid-single digits sequentially, driven by seasonal strength and strong momentum in industrial business. Print margins are expected to be near the top of their 16% to 19% range, given seasonal strength and acceleration of Future Ready cost-savings.
For the full fiscal year 2024, HP now expects non-GAAP diluted net earnings per share to be in the range of $3.35 to $3.45, and GAAP-diluted net earnings per share to be in the range of $2.62 to $2.72. Free cash flow is expected to be in the range of $3.1 billion to $3.6 billion.
HP is accelerating its "Future Ready" cost-savings program and now expects to achieve approximately $1.3 billion or 80% of their planned $1.6 billion in structural cost-savings by the end of fiscal year 2024.
Conclusion: HP Inc. is a well-established technology powerhouse with a diverse portfolio of products and services. The company's focus on innovation, cost optimization, and strategic positioning has enabled it to navigate industry challenges and maintain its standing as a leading player in the personal computing and printing markets. With a strong financial position, ongoing cost-saving initiatives, and a clear strategic focus on growth areas such as hybrid systems, gaming, workforce solutions, industrial graphics, 3D printing, and consumer subscriptions, HP is well-positioned to capitalize on emerging opportunities. As HP continues to evolve and adapt to the changing technological landscape, investors will be closely monitoring the company's ability to deliver sustainable growth and shareholder value in the face of ongoing market challenges and competition.