HP beats on Q2 earnings and revenue as commercial PC demand rebounds

HP Inc. reported revenue and earnings beats in its fiscal 2026 second-quarter results today, with stronger-than-expected demand for commercial PCs driving 9% revenue growth at the personal computer and printer maker.

For the quarter ended on April 30, HP reported adjusted earnings per share of 86 cents, up from 71 cents in the same quarter of the previous year, on revenue of $14.4 billion, up 9% year-over-year. Analysts were expecting earnings of 71 cents per share on revenue of $14.07 billion. HP’s stock, which had risen 4% in regular trading before the report, fell less than a point after-hours.

The adjusted figure topped HP’s own forecast of 70 to 76 cents, while unadjusted diluted earnings per share of 49 cents came in below the prior outlook of 52 to 58 cents, weighed down by $365 million in restructuring and other charges that included costs tied to the chief executive transition.

Interim Chief Executive Bruce Broussard, who took the role in February after Enrique Lores stepped down, pointed to artificial intelligence hardware as the driver. “During the second quarter, we continued executing our future of work strategy through intelligent devices, edge AI and connected experiences while navigating rising commodity costs,” Broussard said in HP’s earnings release. “We introduced innovations across AI PCs, Z workstations, AI-powered print and HP IQ.”

Personal Systems, the segment that includes HP’s PC business, was the standout. Revenue rose 13% year-over-year, to $10.2 billion, with commercial PC sales up 14% and consumer up 10%. Operating margin expanded to 5.2% from 4.5% a year earlier.

Total unit shipments fell 7%, suggesting the revenue gain came from higher average selling prices rather than volume, a pattern consistent with the industry shift toward AI-capable hardware at premium price points.

The Printing segment was flatter. Revenue of $4.2 billion was unchanged year-over-year, with an operating margin of 18.3%, down from 19.2% a year earlier. Consumer printing revenue fell 10% and consumer hardware units dropped 8%.

HP also returned $374 million to shareholders during the quarter through dividends and buybacks, repurchasing 5.2 million shares for $100 million and paying out $274 million in dividends.

For its fiscal third quarter, HP forecasts adjusted earnings of 61 to 71 cents per share, a range whose midpoint sits below the 71-cent forecast by analysts. For its full fiscal year, HP narrowed its full-year adjusted earnings outlook to $2.90 to $3.10 per share and free cash of $2.8 billion to $3.0 billion.

Photo: HP