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Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 1 June 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 7 raised, 2 lowered, 8 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue reached $10.7 billion: Revenue was $10.7 billion, up 40% from the prior-year period. The company described it as record revenue for the quarter. Source
  • Non-GAAP EPS above stated range: Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $0.79, up $0.41 from the prior-year period and above the $0.51 to $0.55 range set for the quarter. Source
  • Highest second-quarter free cash flow: Management reported its highest-ever free cash flow for a second quarter, alongside records for revenue, gross margin and non-GAAP diluted EPS. Source
  • Networking revenue up 148%: Networking revenue was $2.7 billion, up 148.2%, with a 21.6% operating profit margin against 25.0% a year earlier. Source
  • Cloud & AI margin rose: Cloud & AI revenue was $7.7 billion, up 22.9%, with operating margin of 12.4% against 6.6%. Financial Services was $0.9 billion, up 5.6%. Source
  • GAAP gross margin rose to 36.5%: GAAP gross margin was 36.5%, up 810 basis points from the prior-year period and up 60 basis points sequentially. Source
  • H3C consideration about $3.5 billion: Total pretax consideration received for the H3C stake since the company announced its exit was approximately $3.5 billion. Source

“HPE delivered an exceptional quarter with record-breaking revenue, higher-than-anticipated profitability, and increased free cash flow, reflecting strong execution and healthy demand across the business,”

Antonio Neri, president and CEO of HPE

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Revenue Sourcethird quarter of fiscal 2026$11.5 billion to $12.1 billionNew
GAAP diluted net EPS Sourcethird quarter of fiscal 2026$0.84 to $0.89New
Non-GAAP diluted net EPS Sourcethird quarter of fiscal 2026$0.88 to $0.93New
Non-GAAP EPS exclusions Sourcethird quarter of fiscal 2026approximately $0.04 per diluted shareNew
Revenue growth Sourcefiscal 202629% to 33%Raised from 17% to 22%
Networking revenue growth Sourcefiscal 202672% to 75%Raised from 68% to 73%
GAAP operating profit growth Sourcefiscal 2026885% to 930%Raised from 490% to 550%
Non-GAAP operating profit growth Sourcefiscal 202680% to 85%Raised from 32% to 40%
GAAP diluted net EPS Sourcefiscal 2026$2.42 to $2.52Raised from $1.02 to $1.22
Non-GAAP diluted net EPS Sourcefiscal 2026$3.35 to $3.45Raised from $2.30 to $2.50
Free cash flow Sourcefiscal 2026at least $3.5 billionRaised from at least $2.0 billion
Non-GAAP operating profit exclusions Sourcefiscal 2026approximately $2.6 billionLowered from approximately $2.7 billion
Non-GAAP EPS exclusions Sourcefiscal 2026approximately $0.93 per diluted shareLowered from approximately $1.28 per diluted share
Revenue growth Sourcefiscal 20278% to 12%New
Non-GAAP diluted net EPS growth Sourcefiscal 202712% to 16%New
Non-GAAP operating margin rate Sourcefiscal 202712% to 16%New
Free cash flow Sourcefiscal 2027at least $4.5 billionNew

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year revenue growth range raised to 29% to 33% from 17% to 22%. Source
  • Guidance raised: Networking revenue growth expectation raised to 72% to 75% from 68% to 73%. Source
  • Guidance raised: Fiscal 2026 GAAP and non-GAAP diluted EPS ranges raised; non-GAAP now $3.35 to $3.45 from $2.30 to $2.50. Source
  • Guidance raised: Fiscal 2026 free cash flow expectation raised to at least $3.5 billion from at least $2.0 billion. Source
  • New guidance: Third-quarter fiscal 2026 revenue and EPS estimates introduced. Source
  • New guidance: Fiscal 2027 growth framework introduced, covering revenue, EPS, operating margin and free cash flow. Source
  • Ended: H3C stake sale completed; about $1.357 billion of cash received for the remaining 19%. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue reached $10.7 billion: Revenue was $10.7 billion, up 40% from the prior-year period. The company described it as record revenue for the quarter. Source
  • Non-GAAP EPS above stated range: Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $0.79, up $0.41 from the prior-year period and above the $0.51 to $0.55 range set for the quarter. Source
  • Highest second-quarter free cash flow: Management reported its highest-ever free cash flow for a second quarter, alongside records for revenue, gross margin and non-GAAP diluted EPS. Source
  • GAAP EPS up year over year: GAAP diluted EPS was $0.44, up $1.26 from the prior-year period and above the $0.09 to $0.13 range set for the quarter. Source

Segment results

  • Networking revenue up 148%: Networking revenue was $2.7 billion, up 148.2%, with a 21.6% operating profit margin against 25.0% a year earlier. Source
  • Cloud & AI margin rose: Cloud & AI revenue was $7.7 billion, up 22.9%, with operating margin of 12.4% against 6.6%. Financial Services was $0.9 billion, up 5.6%. Source
  • Corporate Investments revenue steady: Corporate Investments and Other revenue was $281 million, up 3.3%, with an operating margin of -3.2% against -2.6% a year earlier. Source
  • Segment figures restated for realignment: Prior-period figures were restated for the fiscal 2026 realignment that moved Telco and Instant On into Corporate Investments and Other. Source

“Based on our performance, we are raising our fiscal 2026 guidance and introducing a fiscal 2027 financial growth framework.”

Marie Myers, executive vice president and CFO of HPE

Products and customers

  • Campus & Branch up 50.2%: Campus & Branch revenue was $1.3 billion, up 50.2% from the prior-year period. Source
  • Data Center Networking up 233.3%: Data Center Networking revenue was $320 million, up 233.3% from the prior-year period. Source
  • Security revenue up 155.1%: Security revenue was $273 million, up 155.1% from the prior-year period. Source
  • Routing revenue of $775 million: Routing revenue was $775 million, against $1 million in the prior-year period. Source
  • Server revenue up 32.7%: Server revenue was $5.5 billion, up 32.7% from the prior-year period. Source
  • Storage revenue up 2.4%: Storage revenue was $1.2 billion, up 2.4% from the prior-year period. Source

Margins and costs

  • GAAP gross margin rose to 36.5%: GAAP gross margin was 36.5%, up 810 basis points from the prior-year period and up 60 basis points sequentially. Source
  • Non-GAAP gross margin at 36.9%: Non-GAAP gross margin was 36.9%, up 750 basis points from the prior-year period and up 30 basis points sequentially. Source
  • R&D and SG&A rose year over year: Research and development was $922 million and SG&A was $1.8 billion, against $540 million and $1.3 billion a year earlier. Source
  • Intangible amortization rose sharply: Amortization of intangible assets was $323 million, against $37 million a year earlier. Impairment charges were nil this quarter. Source
  • Juniper and Catalyst synergies ahead: Management said the company is executing ahead of schedule against Juniper Networks and Catalyst cost synergies. Source
  • Non-GAAP operating margin 13.3%: Non-GAAP operating profit margin was 13.3%, up from 8.0% a year earlier. Source

“Customers continue to invest in modernizing their infrastructure and scaling AI, and our performance shows the strength of our combined networking portfolio and the value we are delivering to our shareholders.”

Antonio Neri, president and CEO of HPE

Demand and customer investment

  • Customers investing in AI and modernization: Neri said customers continue to invest in modernizing infrastructure and scaling AI. Source
  • Demand described as healthy: Management cited healthy demand across the business in describing the quarter's execution. Source
  • Combined networking portfolio credited: Neri credited the strength of the combined networking portfolio and the value delivered to shareholders for the performance. Source

Cash, balance sheet and shareholder returns

  • Operating cash flow of $1.4 billion: Cash flow from operations was $1.4 billion, against $461 million used in the prior-year quarter, an increase of $1.9 billion. Source
  • Capital spending of $583 million: Investment in property, plant and equipment and software was $583 million, with $130 million of proceeds from PP&E sales. Source
  • Capital returns of $343 million: Capital returns to common shareholders were $343 million, in the form of dividends and share repurchases. Source
  • Inventory rose to $9.0 billion: Inventory was $9.0 billion at April 30, against $6.4 billion at October 31, 2025. Source
  • Short-term borrowings reduced: Notes payable and short-term borrowings were $3.0 billion, down from $4.6 billion at October 31, 2025. Source

Strategy, H3C exit and long-term plan

  • H3C consideration about $3.5 billion: Total pretax consideration received for the H3C stake since the company announced its exit was approximately $3.5 billion. Source
  • Two years ahead of FY28 plan: The company said the quarter placed it two years ahead of its fiscal 2028 long-term financial plan. Source
  • FY26 ranges above FY28 targets: Updated fiscal 2026 non-GAAP EPS and free cash flow ranges are above the FY28 targets set at the Securities Analyst Meeting. Source

Coming up, as management said on 1 June 2026

  • Dividend payable July 15, 2026: Regular dividend of $0.1425 per share, payable on or about July 15, 2026, to holders of record on June 16, 2026. Source
  • Third-quarter estimates issued: Third-quarter fiscal 2026 estimates: revenue $11.5 billion to $12.1 billion; GAAP diluted EPS $0.84 to $0.89; non-GAAP diluted EPS $0.88 to $0.93. Source
  • Fiscal 2027 growth framework introduced: Fiscal 2027 framework: revenue growth 8% to 12%, non-GAAP EPS growth 12% to 16%, non-GAAP operating margin 12% to 16%, and free cash flow of at least $4.5 billion. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
GAAP gross margin Source36.5%
Non-GAAP gross margin Source36.9%
Networking segment revenue Source$2.7 billion
Cloud & AI segment revenue Source$7.7 billion
Server revenue Source$5.5 billion

Risks management discussed

  • Regulatory: Management noted the non-GAAP income tax rate could change, citing the rapidly evolving global tax environment and shifts in geographic earnings mix. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Ahead: Management said synergy execution is ahead of schedule. Source
  • Ahead: The company said the quarter put it two years ahead of its fiscal 2028 plan. Source
  • Ahead: Non-GAAP diluted EPS came in above the range set for the quarter, as management stated. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.