HP in brief
- Rank: #64 of 100 in America's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026; #14 of 17 in Technology & Digital.
- WCRC Power Score: 71.72 out of 100.
- Founded: 1939, by Bill Hewlett and David Packard.
- Owner: HP Inc., Palo Alto, California.
- Leadership: Bruce Broussard, Interim CEO.
- Latest revenue: $55.3bn revenue (FY2025, year to Oct, +3.2%), as per company filings.
What makes HP powerful
HP is one of the most familiar names in personal technology. The company Bill Hewlett and David Packard founded in 1939 now sells laptops, desktops, printers and ink to homes and offices around the world. It is the world's second-largest PC maker, with 16.5% of global shipments in the third quarter of 2026, according to IDC.
The brand is moving fast into AI PCs, machines with chips built to run AI tasks on the device. These made up 35% of HP's PC shipments in its fiscal first quarter of 2026, and the company says it works with more than 100 software developers to build apps for them. HP's printers, supplies and services add a second pillar that keeps the brand present on office floors and in home studies long after a PC is sold.
AI PCs made up 35% of HP's PC shipments in its fiscal first quarter of 2026, and HP says it works with more than 100 software developers on apps for them.
Why HP ranks #64
HP sits at #64 with a WCRC Power Score of 71.72. It ranks just below Dell and Target and just above Johnson & Johnson and Estée Lauder. Dell edges ahead on product and innovation and on financial strength, helped by its AI server boom, which HP does not share. HP still scores well on positioning and recall and on consumer trust built over more than 80 years, which keeps it ahead of the healthcare and beauty brands just below.
The Achilles' heel
HP's main weakness is its reliance on a PC market that is shrinking under rising chip costs. In February 2026 HP said memory now made up 35% of the cost of materials in a PC, up from 15% to 18% a quarter earlier. In the third quarter of 2026 its PC shipments fell 30.9%, the steepest drop among the top five makers, according to IDC. Its leadership also changed suddenly in early 2026.
The 2026 story
HP's 2026 began with a surprise. In early February, chief executive Enrique Lores left after decades at HP to run PayPal, and board member Bruce Broussard, a former Humana chief executive, became interim CEO. Weeks later, HP said memory costs had roughly doubled in a single quarter, and its finance chief said full-year results would land closer to the lower end of its guidance range. The wider market then slumped. IDC said global PC shipments fell 20.1% in the third quarter, and HP's fell faster.
Pillar profile
Provisional desk scores out of 100, for the WCRC Business Intelligence Unit to validate.
Versus its nearest rivals
Questions people ask
What rank is HP in WCRC's America's Most Powerful Brands 2026?
HP ranks #64 of 100 in WCRC's America's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026, with a WCRC Power Score of 71.72 out of 100.
What makes HP powerful?
HP is one of the world's largest PC makers and the leading printer brand.
What is HP's revenue?
$55.3bn revenue (FY2025, year to Oct, +3.2%), as per company filings.
Who founded and owns HP?
HP was founded in 1939 by Bill Hewlett and David Packard. It is owned by HP Inc. and based in Palo Alto, California.
Who leads HP?
Bruce Broussard, Interim CEO.
What is HP's biggest challenge?
Declining printing and a leadership transition.
Also featured in
Key facts
| Brand | HP |
|---|---|
| Company / owner | HP Inc. |
| Headquarters | Palo Alto, California, United States |
| Founded | 1939 |
| Founder(s) | Bill Hewlett and David Packard |
| Leadership | Bruce Broussard, Interim CEO |
| Latest revenue | $55.3bn revenue (FY2025, year to Oct, +3.2%), as per company filings |
| Sector | Technology & Digital |
| Website | hp.com |
| Country of origin | United States |
Sources
- Annual report (Form 10-K) and financial results of HP Inc. filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission
- Company website, official announcements and press releases
- Published interviews and statements by the leadership
- WCRC Business Intelligence Unit research: consumer sentiment, ratings and reviews, search demand, media and social data
