HP
HPQ
Oct 31, 2024
Quarter ended Oct 31, 2024 · FY2024 Q4

HP Inc. stock research

HP (HPQ) Free Cash Flow — Quarter Ended Oct 31, 2024

Free cash flow improved from the preceding quarter but weakened compared to the same quarter a year ago. Operating cash flow and revenue were higher sequentially, while the free cash flow margin was lower than the year-ago level.

Free cash flow takeaway

A quick read on the company's cash generation and what it means for investors.

Free cash flow improved from the preceding quarter but weakened compared to the same quarter a year ago. Operating cash flow and revenue were higher sequentially, while the free cash flow margin was lower than the year-ago level.

  • Revenue and operating cash flow both increased compared to the prior quarter, resulting in higher free cash flow and a wider free cash flow margin. Capital expenditure was lower sequentially, which further supported cash conversion.
  • Relative to the prior quarter, revenue, operating cash flow, and free cash flow were all higher. Compared to the same quarter last year, revenue was slightly higher, but operating cash flow and free cash flow were lower, and the free cash flow margin narrowed.

FCF snapshot

Quarterly and TTM cash-flow metrics with the minimum valuation context.

TTM free cash flow

$3.2B

Trailing twelve-month free cash flow.

Quarter free cash flow

$1.5B

Free cash flow in the selected fiscal quarter.

Operating cash flow

$1.6B

Cash generated by operations before capital spending.

CapEx

$153.0M

Capital spending and related asset purchases.

FCF margin

10.5%

The share of revenue converted into free cash flow.

Cash flow trend

A short quarterly history shows whether FCF is scaling with revenue or only spiking for one period.

PeriodRevenueOperating CFCapExFCFFCF margin
2024-01-31$13.2B$121.0M$158.0M-$37.0M-0.3%
2024-04-30$12.8B$581.0M$119.0M$462.0M3.6%
2024-07-31$13.5B$1.4B$162.0M$1.3B9.3%
2024-10-31$14.1B$1.6B$153.0M$1.5B10.5%

Cash conversion quality

Checks that separate high-quality free cash flow from accounting noise or working-capital timing.

FCF / net income162.3%Shows whether accounting earnings convert into cash.
CapEx / revenue1.1%Lower capital intensity usually supports FCF margin.
Net cash-$6.5BCash and equivalents minus total debt.

Recent events shaping cash flow

Near-term business events that help explain the free cash flow result.

Supportive

Sequential Revenue Growth

Revenue increased compared to the immediately preceding quarter, contributing to higher operating cash flow and free cash flow quarter over quarter.

This sequential revenue improvement was the strongest observable driver of the quarter's higher free cash flow relative to the prior quarter.

What the cash flow says

How to interpret the company's free cash flow beyond the headline number.

Revenue and operating cash flow both increased compared to the prior quarter, resulting in higher free cash flow and a wider free cash flow margin. Capital expenditure was lower sequentially, which further supported cash conversion.

Relative to the prior quarter, revenue, operating cash flow, and free cash flow were all higher. Compared to the same quarter last year, revenue was slightly higher, but operating cash flow and free cash flow were lower, and the free cash flow margin narrowed.

Monitor the trajectory of operating cash flow, as it declined year over year despite higher revenue.

HPQ Free Cash Flow — Quarter Ended Oct 31, 2024