Zacks Research Issues Optimistic Outlook for HP Earnings

Key Points

• Zacks Research raised its Helmerich & Payne EPS forecast for Q4 2026 to $0.21 from $0.18, while projecting fiscal 2027 and 2028 earnings of $1.32 and $2.51 per share, respectively.
• Analyst sentiment is broadly positive, with the stock carrying a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and an average price target of $44.18; recent targets range as high as $50.
• HP recently reported a quarterly loss of $0.11 per share, missing expectations, but generated $1.03 billion in revenue and continues to pay a $0.25 quarterly dividend, yielding about 2.5%.

Helmerich & Payne, Inc. (NYSE:HP - Free Report) - Research analysts at Zacks Research raised their Q4 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Helmerich & Payne in a research report issued on Friday, October 9th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the oil and gas company will post earnings of $0.21 per share for the quarter, up from their previous forecast of $0.18. The consensus estimate for Helmerich & Payne's current full-year earnings is ($0.18) per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Helmerich & Payne's Q2 2027 earnings at $0.21 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $0.47 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $1.32 EPS, Q3 2028 earnings at $1.17 EPS, Q4 2028 earnings at $0.31 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $2.51 EPS.

Several other research firms have also recently weighed in on HP. Susquehanna upped their price target on shares of Helmerich & Payne from $44.00 to $50.00 and gave the company a "positive" rating in a report on Monday, October 5th. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of Helmerich & Payne from $36.00 to $41.00 and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a research report on Thursday, August 20th. UBS Group began coverage on shares of Helmerich & Payne in a report on Friday, October 2nd. They set a "buy" rating and a $49.00 price objective on the stock. Citigroup raised their price objective on shares of Helmerich & Payne from $36.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, September 4th. Finally, Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of Helmerich & Payne from $47.00 to $50.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, August 10th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $44.18.

Helmerich & Payne Stock Performance

Shares of HP stock opened at $39.91 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 1.55 and a current ratio of 1.96. The company has a market capitalization of $3.99 billion, a P/E ratio of -28.31, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.13 and a beta of 0.69. The company's 50 day moving average price is $41.30 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $38.01. Helmerich & Payne has a 52 week low of $21.73 and a 52 week high of $48.17.

Helmerich & Payne (NYSE:HP - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 5th. The oil and gas company reported ($0.11) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.09 by ($0.20). Helmerich & Payne had a negative net margin of 3.43% and a negative return on equity of 2.35%. The business had revenue of $1.03 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $987.70 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.22 earnings per share. Helmerich & Payne's revenue for the quarter was down .6% compared to the same quarter last year.

Institutional Trading of Helmerich & Payne

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in HP. BlackRock Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Helmerich & Payne in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $513,336,000. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its stake in shares of Helmerich & Payne by 11.0% in the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 5,735,765 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $206,660,000 after buying an additional 570,500 shares in the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE increased its holdings in Helmerich & Payne by 109.2% during the first quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 1,676,169 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $60,392,000 after buying an additional 874,823 shares during the last quarter. Encompass Capital Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Helmerich & Payne by 165.1% during the fourth quarter. Encompass Capital Advisors LLC now owns 2,081,644 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $59,702,000 after buying an additional 1,296,537 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Alyeska Investment Group L.P. increased its holdings in Helmerich & Payne by 217.4% during the second quarter. Alyeska Investment Group L.P. now owns 1,526,707 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $49,984,000 after buying an additional 1,045,727 shares during the last quarter. 96.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity at Helmerich & Payne

In other Helmerich & Payne news, Director Hans Helmerich sold 94,470 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $43.90, for a total value of $4,147,233.00. Following the sale, the director owned 20,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $878,000. The trade was a 82.53% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, CAO Sara Momper sold 5,054 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $44.28, for a total value of $223,791.12. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer directly owned 16,958 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $750,900.24. This trade represents a 22.96% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 110,673 shares of company stock valued at $4,864,590. 4.40% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Helmerich & Payne Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 2nd. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 18th will be given a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, November 18th. Helmerich & Payne's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently -70.92%.

Key Stories Impacting Helmerich & Payne

Here are the key news stories impacting Helmerich & Payne this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks raises multiple earnings forecasts. Zacks Research increased its EPS estimates for HP’s fourth quarter of 2026 to $0.21 from $0.18, fiscal 2027 to $1.32 from $1.27, and fiscal 2028 to $2.51 from $2.46. It also lifted estimates for the second quarter of 2027, fourth quarter of 2027, and third and fourth quarters of 2028. The revisions suggest analysts expect improving profitability for the oilfield-services company over the next several years. Zacks Research earnings estimates
• Neutral Sentiment: Wall Street Zen upgraded HP to “Hold.” The change indicates a more balanced view of the shares rather than a clear bullish or bearish call. It may modestly improve sentiment if the prior rating was more negative, but it does not provide a strong catalyst for buying. Helmerich & Payne upgraded to Hold
• Neutral Sentiment: Research coverage remains focused on future earnings recovery. The estimates imply a transition from the company’s current expected full-year loss of $0.18 per share to positive earnings in upcoming periods. However, these forecasts are several quarters ahead and remain dependent on oilfield activity, drilling demand and energy prices. What researchers are thinking about Helmerich & Payne

Helmerich & Payne Company Profile

Helmerich & Payne, Inc is a contract drilling company that provides land and offshore drilling services to oil and natural gas exploration and production companies. Founded in 1920 and headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the company operates and manages drilling rigs used to develop unconventional and conventional energy resources.

Its services include drilling-rig contracting, rig management, operational support, and technology solutions designed to improve drilling efficiency, safety, and well performance.

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