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H&R Block (HRB)
NYSE:HRB

H&R Block (HRB) AI Stock Analysis

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HRB

H&R Block

(NYSE:HRB)

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Neutral 63 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:63Neutral
Price Target:
$31.00
▲(1.57% Upside)
Action:ReiteratedDate:02/05/26
The score is driven primarily by mixed fundamentals: strong profitability and cash generation are offset by elevated balance-sheet risk (high leverage and negative equity). Valuation is a clear positive (low P/E and high dividend yield), while technical signals remain bearish with the stock in a pronounced downtrend despite oversold readings. Earnings call commentary supports the outlook via reaffirmed guidance and continued capital returns, but execution and early-season uncertainty temper confidence.
Positive Factors
Cash generation
Consistent high free cash flow conversion (~87% of net income TTM) indicates the business reliably converts earnings into cash. This supports sustained investment, dividends and buybacks over multiple years, giving management flexibility to fund AI, operations, and shareholder returns without needing structural financing changes.
Margins and earnings power
Sustained net margins around 16% reflect durable profitability from a mix of assisted and DIY tax services. Stable margins support predictable EBITDA and operating cash flow through seasonality, underpinning long-term earnings power as the firm invests in automation and preserves core service economics.
Disciplined capital returns
Large, disciplined capital returns (>$500M returned with substantial buyback capacity remaining) demonstrate strong cash allocation priorities. This pattern signals management confidence in cash generation and commitment to shareholders, and can sustainably support shareholder value absent major balance-sheet shocks.
Negative Factors
Elevated balance-sheet risk
High leverage and a shift to negative equity in trailing twelve months materially reduce financial flexibility. Elevated debt amplifies downside in a slow revenue environment, constrains strategic M&A or large capex, and increases refinancing and interest-rate sensitivity over the medium term.
Assisted-channel execution risk
Persistent execution issues in the assisted channel—manual workflows and mid/lower-funnel losses—threaten client retention and lifetime value. Remediation is multi-year; until AI and process fixes scale, revenue mix and margins could be pressured by higher operating costs and slower share recovery.
Weakening cash-flow momentum
Although FCF conversion stays high, recent declines and timing-driven operating cash variability suggest working-capital or seasonality pressures. If momentum does not recover, it limits spare cash for investments or buybacks and raises the importance of preserving liquidity amid elevated leverage.

H&R Block (HRB) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

H&R Block Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionH&R Block, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides assisted income tax return preparation and do-it-yourself (DIY) tax return preparation services and products to the general public primarily in the United States, Canada, and Australia. The company offers assisted income tax return preparation and related services through a system of retail offices operated directly by the company or its franchisees. It also provides Refund Transfers and H&R Block Emerald Prepaid Mastercard, which enables clients to receive their tax refunds; Peace of Mind extended service plans; H&R Block Emerald Advance lines of credit; Tax Identity Shield that provides clients assistance in helping protect their tax identity and access to services to help restore their tax identity; refund advance loans; H&R Block Instant Refund; and H&R Block Pay With Refund services. In addition, the company offers small business financial solutions through its company-owned or franchise offices, and online. H&R Block, Inc. was founded in 1955 and is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri.
How the Company Makes MoneyH&R Block generates revenue primarily through its tax preparation services, which include both in-person and online filing options. The company charges clients a fee for preparing their federal and state tax returns, with pricing varying based on the complexity of the return. Key revenue streams include retail tax preparation, online tax software sales, and the sale of additional services such as refund anticipation loans and audit support. Additionally, H&R Block offers other financial services, including bookkeeping for small businesses and personal finance tools, which contribute to its earnings. The company also benefits from strategic partnerships, such as collaborations with financial institutions for offering tax-related financial products, further enhancing its revenue potential.

H&R Block Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Feb 03, 2026
(Q2-2026)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:May 12, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
Overall the call leans positive: management reaffirmed guidance, delivered strong shareholder returns ($508M in H1 and $700M remaining repurchase capacity), and outlined clear investments in AI and operations expected to improve client and tax-pro experiences. However, there are notable execution risks in the assisted channel (manual processes and mid/lower-funnel losses), a modest increase in adjusted loss per share ($0.11 YoY), and early-season data limitations that introduce near-term uncertainty. The positives around cash returns, disciplined capital allocation, and technology-led remediation outweigh the highlighted operational challenges.
Q2-2026 Updates
Positive Updates
Reaffirmed Full-Year Financial Outlook
Management reaffirmed fiscal 2026 guidance: revenue $3.875B–$3.895B, EBITDA $1.015B–$1.035B, adjusted EPS $4.85–$5.00, and an effective tax rate of ~25%.
Strong Capital Returns to Shareholders
Returned $508 million to shareholders in H1 via dividends and share repurchases, with approximately $700 million remaining on the current repurchase program.
Stable Cash Flow and Disciplined Capital Allocation
Company emphasizes significant, stable cash flow and a disciplined capital allocation strategy (invest in business, grow dividend, repurchase shares) as a multi-year priority.
Industry and Pricing Assumptions
Outlook assumes industry growth in line with historical norms (~1%) and low single-digit price increases across both assisted and DIY channels; management expects assisted to regain ~20 basis points of share from DIY.
Technology and AI Investments
Notable investments: AI-enabled tax pro assistance (AI Assist), embedding AI into tax pro tools, TPR improvements, and optimized assisted virtual experience intended to reduce manual work and improve funnel consistency.
Strategic Growth Initiatives
Management expects expanding contribution from small business revenue and continued franchise acquisitions when attractive EBITDA multiples arise; focus on assisted and paid DIY as highest lifetime value segments.
Cost Efficiency and Marketing Discipline
Engaged consulting for strategic sourcing (engagement completed in H1) expected to yield sustainable savings; no material change in historical marketing spend, with marketing focused on high-LTV customers and tax-pro expertise.
Negative Updates
Adjusted Loss Per Share Increased Year-over-Year
Adjusted loss per share rose by $0.11 year-over-year despite an improvement in net loss, indicating margin or non-operational pressures that affected per-share results.
Assisted Channel Execution and Share Loss
Company has experienced assisted share loss, particularly in the mid-to-lower funnel, attributed to significant manual processes and inconsistent execution; management describes remediation as a multi-year effort.
Early-Season Uncertainty and Limited Confirmatory Data
Management reiterated that it is very early in the tax season and lacks confirmatory data on trends (e.g., refund size, timing), which increases near-term uncertainty around season performance and realized guidance assumptions.
Operational Risk from Complexity and Automation
While AI investments are positioned as enablers, there remains execution risk: tax-law complexity (the "One Big Beautiful bill") could both increase demand and create service delivery challenges, and automation could potentially shift channel dynamics if DIY becomes materially easier to use.
Company Guidance
Management reaffirmed fiscal 2026 guidance of revenue $3.875–$3.895 billion, EBITDA $1.015–$1.035 billion, adjusted EPS $4.85–$5.00 and an effective tax rate of ~25%, anchored on industry growth of about 1%; they also noted a $0.11 year‑over‑year increase in adjusted loss per share even as net loss improved, expect low single‑digit price increases across assisted and DIY, foresee assisted gaining roughly 20 basis points of share (with ~55% of clients historically seeking assistance), and reported returning $508 million to shareholders in the first half with approximately $700 million remaining on the current repurchase program.

H&R Block Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Profitability and cash conversion are solid (net margin ~16% and free cash flow ~87% of net income TTM), but the balance sheet is a major constraint with high leverage and negative equity in TTM, reducing financial flexibility. Recent free cash flow decline and an unusually large TTM revenue jump also add durability risk.
Income Statement
78
Positive
HRB shows solid profitability with consistently strong margins (net margin ~16% across the annual periods, and ~16% in TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months)). Revenue has been relatively steady with modest growth in recent annual reports (~4% range), while TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) shows a sharp revenue jump (52.5%), which is a positive but unusual step-up that may prove volatile. Overall, earnings power looks durable, but top-line consistency and the sustainability of the TTM growth rate are key watch items.
Balance Sheet
32
Negative
Balance sheet risk is elevated: leverage is high and equity is thin—moving from small positive equity in the annual reports to negative equity in TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months). That shift drives a negative debt-to-equity and negative return on equity in TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months), signaling a weaker capital position despite stable operating profitability. While total assets are sizable, the combination of high debt and limited/negative equity reduces financial flexibility and raises downside risk.
Cash Flow
67
Positive
Cash generation is a strength: free cash flow remains substantial and tracks net income reasonably well (free cash flow running at ~87% of net income in TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months), and ~88–92% in the last several annual periods). However, momentum has softened with free cash flow declining recently (negative growth in the most recent annual period and in TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months)). Operating cash flow coverage is mixed—healthy in some years but weaker in the latest annual period—suggesting periodic working-capital or timing swings.
BreakdownTTMJun 2025Jun 2024Jun 2023Jun 2022Apr 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue3.79B3.76B3.61B3.47B3.46B3.46B
Gross Profit2.07B1.67B1.62B1.55B1.58B1.58B
EBITDA989.43M976.34M963.19M914.69M889.53M889.53M
Net Income613.78M605.77M595.32M553.70M553.67M553.67M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets2.93B3.26B3.22B3.07B3.27B3.65B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments368.86M1.00B1.08B1.02B1.05B1.06B
Total Debt3.23B2.35B2.23B2.18B2.15B2.18B
Total Liabilities3.75B3.18B3.13B3.04B3.06B3.30B
Stockholders Equity-823.08M88.90M90.59M32.06M211.63M352.40M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow524.08M598.85M657.18M752.14M746.58M573.14M
Operating Cash Flow605.73M680.88M720.86M821.84M808.54M625.93M
Investing Cash Flow-109.81M-105.37M-93.86M-101.39M-76.54M-45.52M
Financing Cash Flow-476.50M-647.44M-564.31M-750.99M-1.26B-2.41B

H&R Block Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price30.52
Price Trends
50DMA
38.91
Negative
100DMA
43.00
Negative
200DMA
48.08
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-2.78
Negative
RSI
35.10
Neutral
STOCH
38.91
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For HRB, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 30.52 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 33.10, below the 50-day MA of 38.91, and below the 200-day MA of 48.08, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -2.78 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 35.10 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 38.91 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for HRB.

H&R Block Risk Analysis

H&R Block disclosed 23 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. H&R Block reported the most risks in the "Legal & Regulatory" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

H&R Block Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
72
Outperform
$4.01B16.0291.16%11.88%18.08%
66
Neutral
$2.29B22.588.84%6.98%22.81%
65
Neutral
$11.22B21.2032.72%1.66%3.41%7.94%
63
Neutral
$3.80B6.913.67%4.15%8.13%
61
Neutral
$18.38B12.79-2.54%3.03%1.52%-15.83%
61
Neutral
$4.05B21.5314.75%9.38%74.27%
59
Neutral
$700.98M14.3121.96%1.06%0.99%37.55%
* Consumer Cyclical Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
HRB
H&R Block
30.52
-21.17
-40.96%
CSV
Carriage Services
44.08
4.81
12.25%
SCI
Service International
80.75
1.58
2.00%
BFAM
Bright Horizons
72.24
-54.75
-43.11%
FTDR
frontdoor
56.30
10.09
21.84%
MCW
Mister Car Wash
7.01
-0.81
-10.36%

H&R Block Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board Changes
H&R Block Expands Board With Three New Independent Directors
Positive
Jan 22, 2026

On January 20, 2026, H&R Block expanded its Board of Directors from eight to eleven members and appointed three new independent directors, Geralyn R. Breig, Christian H. Charnaux, and Stephanie C. Plaines, with the company formally announcing the move on January 22, 2026. The new directors, who bring significant experience in consumer brands, large-scale organizational growth, and financial leadership from prior roles at companies including Revlon, Hilton, Inspire Brands, JCPenney, Starbucks, and Jones Lang LaSalle, have been assigned to key Board committees, including Audit, Compensation, and Governance and Nominating. Their appointments, accompanied by standard non-employee director compensation and indemnification arrangements, are intended to strengthen H&R Block’s strategic capabilities, support its multi-year growth initiatives, and enhance board succession planning as the company focuses on elevating client experiences and scaling its service delivery platforms.

The most recent analyst rating on (HRB) stock is a Buy with a $62.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on H&R Block stock, see the HRB Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Feb 05, 2026