Net revenue and EPS results
HP Inc. and its subsidiaries (“HP”) announced fiscal 2021 net revenue of $63.5 billion, up 12.1% (up 10.2% in constant currency) from the prior-year period.
Fiscal 2021 GAAP diluted net EPS was $5.33, up from $2.00 in the prior-year period and above the previously provided outlook of $3.56 to $3.62. Fiscal 2021 non-GAAP diluted net EPS was $3.79, up from $2.28 in the prior-year period and above the previously provided outlook of $3.69 to $3.75. Fiscal 2021 non-GAAP net earnings and non-GAAP diluted net EPS exclude after-tax adjustments of $1,883 million, or $1.54 per diluted share, related to restructuring and other charges, acquisition-related charges, amortization of intangible assets, non-operating retirement-related (credits)/charges, defined benefit plan settlement (gains)/charges, Oracle litigation proceeds, debt extinguishment costs, and tax adjustments.
Fourth quarter net revenue was $16.7 billion, up 9.3% (up 6.9% in constant currency) from the prior-year period. Fourth quarter GAAP diluted net EPS was $2.71, up from $0.49 in the prior-year period and above the previously provided outlook of $0.82 to $0.88. Fourth quarter non-GAAP diluted net EPS was $0.94, up from $0.62 in the prior-year period and above the previously provided outlook of $0.84 to $0.90. Fourth quarter non-GAAP net earnings and non-GAAP diluted net EPS exclude after-tax adjustments of $2,023 million, or $1.77 per diluted share, related to restructuring and other charges, acquisition-related charges, amortization of intangible assets, non-operating retirement-related (credits)/charges, defined benefit plan settlement (gains)/charges, Oracle litigation proceeds, and tax adjustments.
“Our results reflect a growth-oriented company on its front foot and hitting its stride. We delivered a very strong quarter to close out an exceptional year of double-digit revenue, operating profit and EPS growth while returning record levels of capital to shareholders,” said Enrique Lores, HP Inc. President and CEO. “HP is at the heart of hybrid with an innovative portfolio of hardware, software and subscriptions that position the company well for sustained growth in fiscal year 2022 and beyond.”
Asset management
HP generated $6.4 billion in net cash provided by operating activities and $4.2 billion of free cash flow in fiscal 2021. Free cash flow includes net cash provided by operating activities of $6.4 billion adjusted for net Oracle litigation proceeds of $1,771 million, net investments in leases of $111 million and net investments in property, plant and equipment of $582 million. HP utilized $6.2 billion of cash during fiscal 2021 to repurchase approximately 224 million shares of common stock in the open market. When combined with the $938 million of cash used to pay dividends, HP returned 172% of its free cash flow to shareholders in fiscal 2021.
HP's net cash provided by operating activities in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 was $2.8 billion. Accounts receivable ended the quarter at $5.5 billion, up 1 day quarter over quarter to 30 days. Inventory ended the quarter at $7.9 billion, down 9 days quarter over quarter to 53 days. Accounts payable ended the quarter at $16.1 billion, down 12 days quarter over quarter to 108 days.
HP generated $0.9 billion of free cash flow in the fourth quarter. Free cash flow includes net cash provided by operating activities of $2.8 billion adjusted for net Oracle litigation proceeds of $1,771 million, net investments in leases of $33 million and net investments in property, plant and equipment of $172 million.
In the fourth quarter, HP returned $2.0 billion to shareholders. HP utilized $1.8 billion of cash during the quarter to repurchase approximately 61 million shares of common stock in the open market and paid a cash dividend of $219 million. As a result, HP returned 210% of its fourth quarter free cash flow to shareholders. HP exited the quarter with $4.3 billion in gross cash, which includes cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of $5 million included in other current assets.
Fiscal 2021 fourth quarter segment results
- Personal Systems net revenue was $11.8 billion, up 13% year over year (up 10% in constant currency) with a 6.5% operating margin. Consumer PCs net revenue decreased 3% and Commercial PCs net revenue increased 25%. Total units were down 9% with Notebooks units down 12% and Desktops units up 2%.
- Printing net revenue was $4.9 billion, up 1% year over year (flat in constant currency) with a 17.0% operating margin. Total hardware units were down 26% with Consumer units down 28% and Commercial units down 12%. Consumer net revenue was down 6% and Commercial net revenue wasup 19%. Supplies net revenue was down 2% (down 3% in constant currency).
Outlook
For the fiscal 2022 first quarter, HP estimates GAAP diluted net EPS to be in the range of $0.92 to $0.98 and non-GAAP diluted net EPS to be in the range of $0.99 to $1.05. Fiscal 2022 first quarter non-GAAP diluted net EPS estimates exclude $0.07 per diluted share, primarily related to restructuring and other charges, acquisition-related charges, amortization of intangible assets, non-operating retirement-related (credits)/charges, tax adjustments and the related tax impact on these items.
For fiscal 2022, HP estimates GAAP diluted net EPS to be in the range of $3.86 to $4.06 and non-GAAP diluted net EPS to be in the range of $4.07 to $4.27. Fiscal 2022 non-GAAP diluted net EPS estimates exclude $0.21 per diluted share, primarily related to restructuring and other charges, acquisition-related charges, amortization of intangible assets, non-operating retirement-related (credits)/charges, tax adjustments and the related tax impact on these items. For fiscal 2022, HP anticipates generating free cash flow of at least $4.5 billion.
More information on HP's earnings, including additional financial analysis and an earnings overview presentation, is available on HP's Investor Relations website at investor.hp.com.
HP's FY21 Q4 earnings conference call is accessible via audio webcast at www.hp.com/investor/2021Q4Webcast
About HP Inc.
HP Inc. (NYSE: HPQ) is a technology company that believes one thoughtful idea has the power to change the world. Its product and service portfolio of personal systems, printers, and 3D printing solutions helps bring these ideas to life. Visit http://www.hp.com.
Use of non-GAAP financial information
To supplement HP’s consolidated condensed financial statements presented on a generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) basis, HP provides net revenue on a constant currency basis, non-GAAP total operating expense, non-GAAP operating profit, non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP tax rate, non-GAAP net earnings, non-GAAP diluted net EPS, free cash flow, gross cash and net cash (debt) financial measures. HP also provides forecasts of non-GAAP diluted net EPS and free cash flow. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are included in the tables below or elsewhere in the materials accompanying this news release. In addition, an explanation of the ways in which HP’s management uses these non-GAAP measures to evaluate its business, the substance behind HP’s decision to use these non-GAAP measures, the material limitations associated with the use of these non-GAAP measures, the manner in which HP’s management compensates for those limitations, and the substantive reasons why HP’s management believes that these non-GAAP measures provide useful information to investors is included under “Use of non-GAAP financial measures” after the tables below. This additional non-GAAP financial information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net revenue, operating expense, operating profit, operating margin, tax rate, net earnings, diluted net EPS, cash (used in)/ provided by operating activities or cash and cash equivalents prepared in accordance with GAAP.
Forward-looking statements
This document contains forward-looking statements based on current expectations and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties. If the risks or uncertainties ever materialize or the assumptions prove incorrect, the results of HP Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and assumptions.
All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, any statements regarding the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the actions by governments, businesses and individuals in response to the situation; projections of net revenue, margins, expenses, effective tax rates, net earnings, net earnings per share, cash flows, benefit plan funding, deferred taxes, share repurchases, foreign currency exchange rates or other financial items; any projections of the amount, timing or impact of cost savings or restructuring and other charges, planned structural cost reductions and productivity initiatives; any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations, including, but not limited to, our business model and transformation, our sustainability goals, our go-to-market strategy, the execution of restructuring plans and any resulting cost savings, net revenue or profitability improvements or other financial impacts; any statements concerning the expected development, demand, performance, market share or competitive performance relating to products or services; any statements concerning potential supply constraints, component shortages, manufacturing disruptions or logistics challenges; any statements regarding current or future macroeconomic trends or events and the impact of those trends and events on HP and its financial performance; any statements regarding pending investigations, claims, disputes or other litigation matters; any statements of expectation or belief, including with respect to the timing and expected benefits of acquisitions and other business combination and investment transactions; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Forward-looking statements can also generally be identified by words such as “future,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “projects,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “can,” “may,” and similar terms.
Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include factors relating to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the actions by governments, businesses and individuals in response to the situation, the effects of which may give rise to or amplify the risks associated with many of these factors listed here; HP’s ability to execute on its strategic plan, including the previously announced initiatives, business model changes and transformation; execution of planned structural cost reductions and productivity initiatives; HP’s ability to complete any contemplated share repurchases, other capital return programs or other strategic transactions; the need to address the many challenges facing HP’s businesses; the competitive pressures faced by HP’s businesses; risks associated with executing HP’s strategy and business model changes and transformation; successfully innovating, developing and executing HP’s go-to-market strategy, including online, omnichannel and contractual sales, in an evolving distribution and reseller landscape; the development and transition of new products and services and the enhancement of existing products and services to meet customer needs and respond to emerging technological trends; successfully competing and maintaining the value proposition of HP’s products, including supplies; the need to manage (and reliance on) third-party suppliers, including with respect to component shortages, and the need to manage HP’s global, multi-tier distribution network, limit potential misuse of pricing programs by HP’s channel partners, adapt to new or changing marketplaces and effectively deliver HP’s services; challenges to HP’s ability to accurately forecast inventories, demand and pricing, which may be due to HP’s multi-tiered channel, sales of HP’s products to unauthorized resellers or unauthorized resale of HP’s products or our uneven sales cycle; integration and other risks associated with business combination and investment transactions; the results of the restructuring plans, including estimates and assumptions related to the cost (including any possible disruption of HP’s business) and the anticipated benefits of the restructuring plans; the protection of HP’s intellectual property assets, including intellectual property licensed from third parties; the hiring and retention of key employees; the impact of macroeconomic and geopolitical trends and events, including the effects of inflation; risks associated with HP’s international operations; the execution and performance of contracts by HP and its suppliers, customers, clients and partners, including logistical challenges with respect to such execution and performance; changes in estimates and assumptions HP makes in connection with the preparation of its financial statements; disruptions in operations from system security risks, data protection breaches, cyberattacks, extreme weather conditions, medical epidemics or pandemics such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and other natural or manmade disasters or catastrophic events; the impact of changes to federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations, including environmental regulations and tax laws; potential impacts, liabilities and costs from pending or potential investigations, claims and disputes; and other risks that are described in HP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020 and HP’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
As in prior periods, the financial information set forth in this document, including any tax-related items, reflects estimates based on information available at this time. While HP believes these estimates to be reasonable, these amounts could differ materially from reported amounts in HP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021 and October 31, 2022, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended January 31, 2022, and HP’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements in this document are made as of the date of this document and HP assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.
HP’s Investor Relations website at investor.hp.com contains a significant amount of information about HP, including financial and other information for investors. HP encourages investors to visit its website from time to time, as information is updated, and new information is posted. The content of HP’s website is not incorporated by reference into this document or in any other report or document HP files with the SEC, and any references to HP’s website are intended to be inactive textual references only.
