HP vs Supermicro (HPQ vs SMCI)
HP (HPQ) vs Supermicro (SMCI) in plain English: P/E, growth, margins, debt and dividend side by side, key differences and which fits each investor profile.
HP (HPQ) and Supermicro (SMCI) compete in hardware and devices. Here are HP and Supermicro side by side with their real figures as of November 4, 2026: what sets them apart, which fits each kind of investor and the most common questions, without telling you whether to buy HP or Supermicro.
HP vs Supermicro: the figures
| Figure | HP | Supermicro |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $29.93 (November 4, 2026) | $29.60 (November 4, 2026) |
| Market cap | $27.0 billion | $19.4 billion |
| P/E (TTM) | 11.4x | 6.2x |
| Forward P/E | 9.5x | 5.1x |
| Revenue growth (quarter) | +12.5% | +93.2% |
| Net margin (TTM) | 4.1% | 5.7% |
| Net debt / EBITDA | 1.3x | 0.6x |
| Dividend yield | 4.24% | 0.00% |
| Beta | 1.21 | 2.18 |
HP and Supermicro figures from Yahoo Finance, the same source the Fintols analysis uses, retrieved on November 4, 2026; N/A means that HP or Supermicro figure is not available, and we never estimate it.
3 key differences between HP and Supermicro
- Growth: Supermicro grew sales +93.2% year on year in its latest quarter, against +12.5% for HP.
- Valuation: HP trades at 11.4x its annual earnings and Supermicro at 6.2x; the market pays more for each dollar of HP profit, usually because it expects more growth.
- Dividend: HP pays a dividend yielding 4.24% and Supermicro pays none.
HP or Supermicro: which fits your profile
- If you want growth: Supermicro is growing faster today, so it fits better with investors who put business growth first, usually accepting a higher P/E and a bumpier ride.
- If you want income (dividends): HP pays the higher dividend relative to its price.
- If you prefer caution: Supermicro has less debt relative to its profit, which usually gives more room in a bad year.
- If price is what matters most to you: Supermicro trades on the lower P/E; check first whether that is an opportunity or a sign of a business that grows less.
Neither HP nor Supermicro wins on everything, and owning both is also an option: spreading money across several companies or an index fund reduces what rides on each one.
How HP and Supermicro make money
HP (HPQ)
HP Inc. reports two segments: Personal Systems, its biggest, covering laptops, desktops and workstations, and Printing, which sells printers and, more importantly, the ink and toner cartridges customers keep buying. It sells to consumers, businesses and governments across the Americas, Europe and Asia. Full HP analysis.
Supermicro (SMCI)
Super Micro Computer designs and assembles servers and storage systems, especially AI servers built on Nvidia and AMD chips with liquid cooling. It splits sales between server and storage systems, which make up the bulk of revenue, and subsystems and accessories. Customers include cloud providers, AI companies and data center operators. Full Supermicro analysis.
Frequently asked questions: HP vs Supermicro
Is HP or Supermicro the better stock?
Choosing between HP and Supermicro depends on what you are looking for. Supermicro is growing faster right now, and Supermicro trades on the lower P/E. Fintols does not tell you whether to buy HP or Supermicro: it shows you the differences so you can decide.
Which pays a higher dividend, HP or Supermicro?
As of November 4, 2026, HP yields 4.24% and Supermicro pays none. Also check how much of their profit HP and Supermicro pay out: if it is more than they earn, it cannot last.
Which is more expensive, HP or Supermicro?
On P/E, HP (11.4x) is more expensive than Supermicro (6.2x) as of November 4, 2026. A higher P/E can be justified if earnings grow faster, so compare it with each company's growth in the table.
Can I own both HP and Supermicro?
Yes. Many people spread their money across several companies, such as HP and Supermicro, or use index funds so they do not depend on just one. If you are starting out, decide how much you want to invest and for how long before buying HP or Supermicro.
More comparisons with HP or Supermicro
More companies like HP and Supermicro: hardware and devices stocks. Educational content about HP and Supermicro, not investment advice.