Zacks Research Issues Optimistic Forecast for HP Earnings

Key Points

• Zacks Research raised its Q3 2026 EPS estimate for Helmerich & Payne to $0.10 from $0.07, signaling a more optimistic outlook for the oil and gas driller. The firm also projected $0.12 EPS for Q1 2027 and $0.40 EPS for Q4 2027.
• The company’s latest quarterly results were weak, with EPS of -$0.38 versus expectations for -$0.06 and revenue of $932.36 million, below the $945.60 million consensus. Revenue also fell 8.2% year over year.
• Wall Street remains cautious overall, with analysts split between Buy and Hold ratings and a consensus rating of “Hold” plus an average target price of $39.70. The stock was trading down 2.9% at $39.69, near its 52-week high.

Helmerich & Payne, Inc. (NYSE:HP - Free Report) - Stock analysts at Zacks Research raised their Q3 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Helmerich & Payne in a note issued to investors on Wednesday, May 20th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the oil and gas company will post earnings per share of $0.10 for the quarter, up from their prior forecast of $0.07. The consensus estimate for Helmerich & Payne's current full-year earnings is $0.06 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Helmerich & Payne's Q1 2027 earnings at $0.12 EPS and Q4 2027 earnings at $0.40 EPS.

Helmerich & Payne (NYSE:HP - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, May 6th. The oil and gas company reported ($0.38) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of ($0.06) by ($0.32). Helmerich & Payne had a negative return on equity of 1.16% and a negative net margin of 9.38%.The firm had revenue of $932.36 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $945.60 million. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.01 EPS. The company's quarterly revenue was down 8.2% on a year-over-year basis.

HP has been the topic of a number of other research reports. Citigroup increased their target price on Helmerich & Payne from $33.00 to $38.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 11th. Susquehanna increased their price target on Helmerich & Payne from $42.00 to $43.00 and gave the stock a "positive" rating in a research report on Friday, May 8th. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price target on Helmerich & Payne from $38.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock a "sector perform" rating in a research report on Friday, May 8th. TD Cowen increased their price target on Helmerich & Payne from $35.00 to $38.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, February 9th. Finally, Piper Sandler increased their price target on Helmerich & Payne from $41.00 to $43.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $39.70.

Helmerich & Payne Trading Down 2.9%

NYSE:HP opened at $39.69 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.32, a current ratio of 1.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. The business's 50 day moving average is $36.94 and its two-hundred day moving average is $33.00. Helmerich & Payne has a 52 week low of $14.65 and a 52 week high of $41.82. The company has a market cap of $3.97 billion, a PE ratio of -10.47 and a beta of 0.62.

Institutional Trading of Helmerich & Payne

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in HP. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. increased its position in Helmerich & Payne by 174.1% in the 2nd quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. now owns 2,044,383 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $30,993,000 after acquiring an additional 1,298,510 shares during the period. Encompass Capital Advisors LLC increased its position in Helmerich & Payne by 165.1% in the 4th quarter. Encompass Capital Advisors LLC now owns 2,081,644 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $59,702,000 after acquiring an additional 1,296,537 shares during the period. Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its position in Helmerich & Payne by 316.9% in the 3rd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 1,218,057 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $26,907,000 after acquiring an additional 925,921 shares during the period. Canoe Financial LP acquired a new stake in Helmerich & Payne in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $33,130,000. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE increased its position in Helmerich & Payne by 109.2% in the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 1,676,169 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $60,392,000 after acquiring an additional 874,823 shares during the period. 96.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Buying and Selling at Helmerich & Payne

In other news, SVP Cara M. Hair sold 58,771 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $36.62, for a total transaction of $2,152,194.02. Following the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 175,589 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,430,069.18. This represents a 25.08% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 4.40% of the company's stock.

Helmerich & Payne Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 18th will be given a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.5%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, May 18th. Helmerich & Payne's dividend payout ratio is presently -26.39%.

About Helmerich & Payne

Helmerich & Payne, Inc is a leading provider of contract drilling services to the oil and gas industry, specializing primarily in onshore drilling operations. The company designs, engineers and operates a fleet of advanced drilling rigs, including its proprietary FlexRigs, which are engineered for high efficiency, safety and rapid mobilization. Alongside core drilling services, Helmerich & Payne offers well intervention, workover and coiled tubing services, positioning itself as a comprehensive drilling solutions partner for exploration and production companies worldwide.

Founded in 1920 and headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Helmerich & Payne has grown through innovation and strategic expansion to serve diverse hydrocarbon basins.

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