HP (NYSE:HPQ) Sets New 1-Year Low on Analyst Downgrade

HP Inc. (NYSE:HPQ) hit a new 52-week low on Wednesday after The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their price target on the stock from $21.00 to $16.00. The Goldman Sachs Group currently has a sell rating on the stock. HP traded as low as $18.00 and last traded at $18.1480, with a volume of 26952482 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $18.35.

A number of other research analysts have also weighed in on the company. Argus raised HP to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Citigroup cut their target price on HP from $22.00 to $20.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, February 17th. Evercore set a $22.00 price target on HP in a research report on Thursday, February 19th. Zacks Research cut shares of HP from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research note on Friday, November 28th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on shares of HP from $30.00 to $25.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, November 26th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Hold rating and six have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, HP currently has an average rating of “Reduce” and an average price target of $22.23.

Insider Activity at HP

In other news, insider Ketan M. Patel sold 33,321 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $23.19, for a total transaction of $772,713.99. Following the sale, the insider owned 34,572 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $801,724.68. This trade represents a 49.08% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, insider Anneliese Olson sold 16,726 shares of HP stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $24.83, for a total transaction of $415,306.58. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 169 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,196.27. This represents a 99.00% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 91,969 shares of company stock valued at $2,277,993 over the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.38% of the company’s stock.

HP News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting HP this week:

• Positive Sentiment: EPS and revenue beat expectations; management highlighted strong AI‑enabled PC shipments even as printing lags — this underpins the operational recovery narrative and helped lift the stock. HP Beats Expectations As AI PCs Grow And Cost Pressures Mount
• Positive Sentiment: Unusual options activity: large volume of call purchases indicates some traders are positioning for additional upside into the near term. Stock Traders Buy Large Volume of HP Call Options
• Neutral Sentiment: Broader market dynamics (S&P 500 futures and intraday sentiment) are supporting a bounce in tech names including HP, which may amplify short‑term moves independent of company fundamentals. HP Moves Higher with S&P 500 Futures Market Sentiment
• Negative Sentiment: Multiple analyst downgrades and price‑target cuts (Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Barclays, Wells Fargo) have turned consensus guidance toward “reduce”/“underweight” and lowered targets into the mid‑teens — increasing selling pressure. HP Given Average Recommendation of “Reduce” by Brokerages Morgan Stanley Has Lowered Expectations for HP The Goldman Sachs Group Has Lowered Expectations for HP
• Negative Sentiment: Management warned memory (DRAM/NAND) costs are rising and could persist, squeezing margins; HP flagged cautious guidance and a $1B cost‑save plan — a message that triggered intraday weakness and a fresh 52‑week low in some coverage. HP reckons memory chip crunch will linger next year, warns of PC sales slump HP Hits 52-Week Low After CFO’s Warning Wipes Out Earnings Win

Institutional Investors Weigh In On HP

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Westfuller Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of HP during the 3rd quarter valued at $28,000. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in HP by 2,346.5% during the second quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,052 shares of the computer maker’s stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 1,009 shares during the last quarter. Elevation Point Wealth Partners LLC bought a new position in HP in the second quarter valued at about $27,000. Caitlin John LLC bought a new position in shares of HP in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, Garner Asset Management Corp purchased a new stake in HP during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Institutional investors own 77.53% of the company’s stock.

HP Stock Up 3.4%

The firm has a market capitalization of $17.29 billion, a PE ratio of 7.13, a PEG ratio of 0.29 and a beta of 1.21. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $20.39 and its 200 day simple moving average is $24.42.

HP (NYSE:HPQ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, February 24th. The computer maker reported $0.81 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.77 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $14.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $13.87 billion. HP had a negative return on equity of 367.41% and a net margin of 4.46%.HP’s revenue for the quarter was up 6.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.74 EPS. HP has set its Q2 2026 guidance at 0.700-0.760 EPS. On average, analysts predict that HP Inc. will post 3.56 EPS for the current year.

HP Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 1st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 11th will be given a dividend of $0.30 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 11th. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.4%. HP’s payout ratio is 45.45%.

HP Company Profile

HP Inc is an American multinational information technology company that designs, manufactures and sells personal computing devices, printers and related supplies and services. Its product portfolio spans consumer and commercial notebooks and desktops, workstations, displays and accessories, as well as an extensive line of printing hardware that includes home, office and production printers. HP also provides consumables such as ink and toner, managed print services, device deployment and lifecycle support, and software for device and print management.

Founded from the original Hewlett‑Packard Company, HP Inc became a separately traded public company in 2015 following a corporate split that created Hewlett Packard Enterprise to focus on enterprise hardware and services.