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NetApp (NTAP)
NASDAQ:NTAP

NetApp (NTAP) AI Stock Analysis

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NTAP

NetApp

(NASDAQ:NTAP)

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Outperform 70 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:70Outperform
Price Target:
$104.00
▲(0.15% Upside)
The score is driven primarily by strong underlying financial performance and a constructive earnings outlook (record margins, solid EPS, and continued cloud/AI growth). These positives are partly offset by weak technical momentum and elevated leverage risk, while valuation and dividend are supportive but not a major catalyst.
Positive Factors
Revenue Growth
Consistent revenue growth indicates strong market demand and effective business strategies, supporting long-term financial stability.
Cloud and AI Solutions
The shift towards cloud and AI solutions enhances NetApp's competitive edge, aligning with industry trends and driving higher margins.
Cash Flow Generation
Strong cash flow generation provides financial flexibility for investments and debt management, supporting long-term growth.
Negative Factors
High Debt Levels
Significant leverage could pose risks, especially in a rising interest rate environment, potentially impacting financial stability.
Cash Flow Concerns
Weaker cash generation may limit the company's ability to invest in growth opportunities and manage debt effectively.
US Public Sector Weakness
Challenges in the US public sector could hinder revenue growth, affecting overall performance and market position.

NetApp (NTAP) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

NetApp Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionNetApp, Inc. provides cloud-led and data-centric services to manage and share data on-premises, and private and public clouds worldwide. It operates in two segments, Hybrid Cloud and Public Could. The company offers intelligent data management software, such as NetApp ONTAP, NetApp Snapshot, NetApp SnapCenter Backup Management, NetApp SnapMirror Data Replication, NetApp SnapLock Data Compliance, NetApp ElementOS software, and NetApp SANtricity software; and storage infrastructure solutions, including NetApp All-Flash FAS series, NetApp Fabric Attached Storage, NetApp FlexPod, NetApp E/EF series, NetApp StorageGRID, and NetApp SolidFire. It also provides cloud storage and data services comprising NetApp Cloud Volumes ONTAP, Azure NetApp Files, Amazon FSx for NetApp ONTAP, NetApp Cloud Volumes Service for Google Cloud, NetApp Cloud Sync, NetApp Cloud Tiering, NetApp Cloud Backup, NetApp Cloud Data Sense, and NetApp Cloud Volumes Edge Cache; and cloud operations services, such as NetApp Cloud Insights, Spot Ocean Kubernetes Suite, Spot Security, Spot Eco, and Spot CloudCheckr. In addition, the company offers application-aware data management service under the NetApp Astra name; and professional and support services, such as strategic consulting, professional, managed, and support services. Further, it provides assessment, design, implementation, and migration services. The company serves the energy, financial service, government, technology, internet, life science, healthcare service, manufacturing, media, entertainment, animation, video postproduction, and telecommunication markets through a direct sales force and an ecosystem of partners. NetApp, Inc. was incorporated in 1992 and is headquartered in San Jose, California.
How the Company Makes MoneyNetApp generates revenue primarily through the sale of its hardware and software products, along with subscription services for cloud-based data management solutions. Key revenue streams include the direct sales of data storage systems, software licenses, and cloud services. The company also earns recurring revenue from maintenance and support contracts, as well as subscriptions for its cloud services. Strategic partnerships with major cloud providers like Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, and Google Cloud enhance its market reach and contribute to its earnings by integrating its solutions with these platforms. Additionally, NetApp's focus on innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence and data analytics further positions it to capture growth in the evolving data management landscape.

NetApp Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Gross Margin by Segment
Gross Margin by Segment
Indicates the profitability of each segment by comparing revenue to direct costs, providing insight into operational efficiency and pricing power across the company's offerings.
Chart InsightsNetApp's Public Cloud segment is experiencing robust growth in gross margins, reaching a high of 79% in early 2025, reflecting strong demand and operational efficiencies. Meanwhile, the Product segment saw a significant recovery in 2023 but is now stabilizing. Support margins remain consistently high, indicating stable recurring revenue. However, Professional and Other Services margins are volatile, suggesting potential challenges in cost management or service delivery. Investors should watch for strategic shifts in the Professional Services segment to enhance profitability.
Data provided by:The Fly

NetApp Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Oct 24, 2025
(Q2-2026)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Feb 26, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call showed positive momentum with strong growth in revenue, especially in AI solutions, cloud, and flash services. However, challenges in the US public sector and weaker cash flow were notable concerns.
Q2-2026 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Revenue Growth
Q2 revenue reached $1.71 billion, up 3% year over year. Excluding the divested spot business, revenue was up 4%.
All Flash and Public Cloud Success
All flash and public cloud accounted for 70% of Q2 revenue, contributing to a shift towards higher gross margins.
AI Solutions Demand
Closed approximately 200 AI infrastructure and data lake modernization deals, showcasing strong demand for AI solutions.
Keystone Growth
Keystone storage as a service saw a 76% year-over-year growth.
Cloud Revenue Increase
Public cloud revenue increased by 18% year over year when excluding the spot business.
Increased Deferred Revenue
Deferred revenue balance grew 8% year over year to $4.45 billion.
Negative Updates
US Public Sector Weakness
Expected softness in USPS revenue due to shutdowns, impacting overall growth.
Flat Operating Expenses
Operating expenses remained flat sequentially and were down 2% year over year, despite favorable currency effects.
Cash Flow Concerns
Cash flow from operations was $127 million, with free cash flow at $78 million, indicating weaker cash generation.
Company Guidance
In the 2026 Earnings Call, NetApp provided an optimistic financial guidance for the remainder of fiscal year 2026. The company reported a strong Q2 with total revenue of $1.71 billion, marking a 3% year-over-year increase, or 4% when excluding the divested spot business. Key growth drivers included their all-flash and public cloud segments, which comprised 70% of Q2 revenue and offered higher gross margins. Gross margin set a Q2 record at 72.6%, while operating margin reached 31.1%. NetApp's non-GAAP EPS exceeded expectations at $2.05. The guidance for Q3 anticipates revenue of $1.69 billion, with a gross margin of 72.3% to 73.3%, and an EPS between $2.01 and $2.11. For the full fiscal year 2026, NetApp expects revenue to range between $6.625 billion and $6.875 billion, with an EPS midpoint of $7.90, driven by continued growth in cloud services and innovations in AI workloads.

NetApp Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Strong profitability (around 70% gross margin and ~18% net margin) and very strong TTM revenue and free cash flow growth support the score. The main offset is balance-sheet risk from high leverage (debt-to-equity 2.82) and a relatively low equity ratio, which raises financial risk despite strong ROE.
Income Statement
85
Very Positive
NetApp shows strong profitability with a consistent gross profit margin around 70% and a solid net profit margin of approximately 18% in the TTM period. The company has demonstrated impressive revenue growth, particularly in the TTM period with a 71.3% increase, indicating robust demand for its products. However, the slight decline in gross profit margin compared to previous periods suggests potential cost pressures.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The balance sheet reveals a high debt-to-equity ratio of 2.82 in the TTM period, indicating significant leverage, which could pose risks in a rising interest rate environment. Despite this, the company maintains a strong return on equity of 120%, reflecting efficient use of equity to generate profits. The equity ratio is relatively low, suggesting a reliance on debt financing.
Cash Flow
78
Positive
NetApp's cash flow statement highlights a healthy free cash flow growth of 108.6% in the TTM period, showcasing strong cash generation capabilities. The operating cash flow to net income ratio of 0.51 indicates a solid conversion of income to cash. However, the free cash flow to net income ratio of 0.90 suggests that not all earnings are translating into free cash flow, which could be a point of concern.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue6.57B6.27B6.36B6.32B5.74B
Gross Profit4.61B4.43B4.21B4.22B3.81B
EBITDA1.69B1.58B1.43B1.36B1.29B
Net Income1.19B986.00M1.27B937.00M730.00M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets10.82B9.89B9.82B10.03B9.36B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments3.85B3.25B3.07B4.13B4.60B
Total Debt3.49B2.65B2.68B2.94B2.75B
Total Liabilities9.78B8.74B8.66B9.19B8.68B
Stockholders Equity1.04B1.15B1.16B838.00M685.00M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow1.34B1.53B868.00M985.00M1.17B
Operating Cash Flow1.51B1.69B1.11B1.21B1.33B
Investing Cash Flow147.00M-735.00M-1.39B-561.00M21.00M
Financing Cash Flow-828.00M-1.34B-1.51B-1.02B444.00M

NetApp Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price103.84
Price Trends
50DMA
110.11
Negative
100DMA
114.22
Negative
200DMA
106.20
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-1.53
Negative
RSI
36.70
Neutral
STOCH
46.49
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For NTAP, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 103.84 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 107.57, below the 50-day MA of 110.11, and below the 200-day MA of 106.20, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -1.53 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 36.70 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 46.49 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for NTAP.

NetApp Risk Analysis

NetApp disclosed 39 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. NetApp reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

NetApp Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
80
Outperform
$75.73B32.3031.48%0.18%-16.35%316.56%
70
Outperform
$20.57B18.07125.35%1.89%2.64%4.12%
68
Neutral
$69.67B41.881.02%31.56%106.00%
64
Neutral
$24.07B192.459.27%13.18%-0.92%
61
Neutral
$37.18B12.37-10.20%1.83%8.50%-7.62%
61
Neutral
$18.70B7.685.09%4.09%-5.77%
57
Neutral
$19.49B26.1612.79%12.22%-48.34%
* Technology Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
NTAP
NetApp
103.84
-17.33
-14.30%
HPQ
HP
20.37
-11.18
-35.44%
STX
Seagate Tech
326.23
226.91
228.46%
SMCI
Super Micro Computer
32.64
0.19
0.59%
WDC
Western Digital
221.51
170.75
336.39%
PSTG
Pure Storage
72.90
2.82
4.02%

NetApp Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board Changes
NetApp Adds Independent Director to Strengthen AI Strategy
Positive
Jan 12, 2026

On January 8, 2026, NetApp’s board expanded its size from nine to ten members and appointed Paul Fipps, President of Global Customer Operations at ServiceNow, as a new independent director, a move formally announced in a January 12, 2026 press release from the company’s San Jose headquarters. Fipps, a veteran executive with more than 20 years’ experience in technology-enabled growth, digital customer transformation, and AI solution deployment at ServiceNow and Under Armour, will join NetApp’s non-employee director compensation program and standard indemnification framework, further strengthening a board in which nine of ten directors are independent and half have been added in the past five years. NetApp’s leadership highlighted that Fipps’s background in aligning global sales, customer success, partner ecosystems, and AI-driven digital experiences is expected to sharpen execution and innovation as the company seeks to consolidate its position as a trusted provider of AI-ready data infrastructure, with implications for accelerated growth and enhanced support for customers’ AI and digital transformation initiatives worldwide.

The most recent analyst rating on (NTAP) stock is a Buy with a $130.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on NetApp stock, see the NTAP 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: Jan 13, 2026