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HP Says Memory Now 35% of PC Costs as Outlook Slips to Low End

Executives warn AI-driven chip tightness will intensify the margin hit in the second half.

Overview

  • CFO Karen Parkhill said RAM and storage jumped from roughly 15–18% of PC bills of materials last quarter to about 35% for the year after a roughly 100% sequential price surge.
  • HP kept its full‑year guidance range but now expects results near the low end and projects double‑digit declines in PC unit shipments.
  • Management said the largest financial pressure from DRAM and NAND will land in the second half of fiscal 2026 with volatility likely extending into fiscal 2027.
  • To blunt costs, HP has secured long‑term supply deals, qualified new vendors, built strategic inventory, accelerated material qualification, and implemented targeted price increases.
  • First‑quarter results beat estimates with revenue of $14.44 billion and adjusted EPS of $0.81 as Windows 11 upgrades and AI PCs lifted mix, with AI models comprising about 35% of shipments.