Free Trial

Despite Breaking Higher, Analysts Remain Cautious HP Inc.

HP Inc. stock price forecast

Key Points

  • Shares of HP Inc. broke above a critical level of resistance which has stood firm all year.
  • Analysts maintain a cautious stance with a consensus rating of Reduce and a consensus price target that predicts over 9% of downside.
  • Despite surpassing earnings expectations, the company experienced a decline in revenue, contributing to the cautious sentiment from analysts. 
  • 5 stocks we like better than HP.

The computer and office equipment giant HP Inc. NYSE: HPQ has been trading steadily higher this year, with the stock up over 22%. Shares of HPQ recently broke above a critical level of resistance, and investors will be paying close attention from now on to see if resistance can now turn into support. Over the last five days, shares are up close to 6%, and investors will hope that this is just the beginning as the stock approaches the next critical level of resistance, $35.

HP offers a wide range of products, technologies, solutions, and services to various customer segments, including individuals, businesses, government, and educational sectors worldwide. The company operates through two segments: Personal Systems and Printing. HP, formerly known as Hewlett-Packard Company, was founded in 1939 and is headquartered in Palo Alto, California.

The Consolidation Breakout

HP stock chart

The stock is up 22.5% year-to-date after trending higher in the ascending wedge since the beginning of the year and a recent breakout through $32 resistance. Before breaking out, HPQ reclaimed the 200-day SMA, indicating a bullish shift in momentum. As $32 was the crucial resistance level for several months; bulls will now want to see the stock firmly hold higher without retesting that key area. The next target and level of resistance in HPQ is $36.

While the most recent price action is favorable for bulls, a bearish setup has formed on a higher time frame. A head and shoulders pattern has now emerged. If the stock can continue to base over previous resistance, then the bearish head and shoulders pattern will be of little concern. However, if the stock fails to hold above prior resistance and trades back in the range, the narrative could quickly shift to favor the bears.

Earnings And Outlook

HP surpassed analysts' expectations in its most recent earnings release on May 30th, 2023. The company reported earnings per share of $0.80 cents for the quarter, exceeding the consensus estimate by $0.04 cents. However, its revenue for the quarter was $12.91 billion, slightly lower than analysts' projected $13.07 billion. The company experienced a 21.7% decline in revenue compared to last year's quarter. Looking ahead, HP anticipates a 6.27% growth in earnings per share for the coming year, from $3.35 to $3.56.

Analysts Are Bearish 

HP analysts ratings MarketBeat
Analysts are bearish on the stock, with a consensus rating of Reduce, based on 13 analyst ratings. The consensus analyst price target is $29.88, predicting a 9.19% downside in the stock. Of the 13 analyst ratings, 3 are Sell, 9 are Hold, and only 1 has HPQ as a Buy. Most recently, Citigroup initiated coverage of HPQ with a Neutral rating and a $32 price target.

Insiders Have Been Selling

HP Insiders Chart
Over the last twelve months, insiders have sold $15.72 million of HPQ stock. The last time an insider purchased stock was in the first quarter of 2022. Since then, insiders have consistently sold stock each quarter. So far this year, insiders have sold $8.69 million, with $4.94 million occurring in the third quarter.

Most recently, the CEO sold 156,976 shares on July 3rd at an average price of $30.69, amounting to $4.8 million in proceeds.

→ Next opportunity for crypto millions (From Crypto 101 Media) (Ad)

Should you invest $1,000 in HP right now?

Before you consider HP, you'll want to hear this.

MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and HP wasn't on the list.

While HP currently has a "Hold" rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.

View The Five Stocks Here

The 10 Best AI Stocks to Own in 2024 Cover

Wondering where to start (or end) with AI stocks? These 10 simple stocks can help investors build long-term wealth as artificial intelligence continues to grow into the future.

Get This Free Report
Ryan Hasson
About The Author

Ryan Hasson

Contributing Author

Technical Analysis, Momentum Trading, Risk Management

Like this article? Share it with a colleague.

Companies Mentioned in This Article

CompanyMarketRank™Current PricePrice ChangeDividend YieldP/E RatioConsensus RatingConsensus Price Target
HP (HPQ)
4.4673 of 5 stars
$35.99+1.1%3.06%12.16Hold$35.55
Compare These Stocks  Add These Stocks to My Watchlist 


Featured Articles and Offers

Recent Videos

Broadcom’s Momentum Returns: Will It Reach New Highs?
Toyota’s Big Bet on Joby: Will Air Taxis Revolutionize Travel by 2025?
UnitedHealth Group: A Healthcare Giant with Strong Dividends

Stock Lists

All Stock Lists

Investing Tools

Calendars and Tools

Search Headlines