H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE:HRB) Increases Capital Return While Operational Metrics Pressure Valuation

H&R Block boosted capital returns even as core operating performance and cash generation show material weakness. Short-term technical momentum offers limited upside potential against an over-valued headline valuation.

Recent News

On November 4, 2025 the company’s board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.42 per share payable January 6, 2026. On November 6, 2025 H&R Block released fiscal 2026 first-quarter results, reported revenue of $203.6 million and reiterated fiscal 2026 guidance while announcing $400 million of share repurchases completed in the quarter. Earlier, the company announced Q1 release timing on October 23, 2025 and rolled out an Emerald Advance® loan application window on October 29, 2025.

Technical Analysis

ADX at 17.25 indicates no established trend; directional signals carry limited force for near-term directional conviction.

DI+ registered a peak-and-reversal, a bearish development, while DI- has been decreasing, a bullish development; those opposing moves with a weak ADX create conflicting directional cues and reduce signal reliability for immediate price direction.

MACD currently sits at -0.43 and has crossed above its signal line (-0.74), with the MACD trend increasing; that cross above the signal line signals emerging bullish momentum despite the MACD remaining below zero.

MRO at -23.98 and increasing indicates price sits below the model target and suggests upward pressure toward the target if the oscillator continues to rise.

RSI at 42.53 and increasing points to building buying interest without overbought conditions, supporting the modest bullish bias implied by MACD and MRO.

Price sits at $43.58, slightly above the 20-day average ($43.45) and the 12-day EMA (price12dayEMA $43.41, trend increasing), but below the 50-day ($45.53) and 200-day ($52.07) averages; short-term momentum favors higher levels while longer-term moving averages indicate persistent downside reference points.

Ichimoku components show price above Tenkan-sen ($42.99) and Kijun-sen ($43.05) but below the Senkou cloud (Senkou A $47.89 / Senkou B $48.01), signaling short-term support but longer-term resistance around the cloud. Bollinger bands cluster tightly (upper ~ $43.81, lower ~ $43.08), consistent with low volatility, and current volume sits below recent averages, indicating limited conviction behind intraday moves.

 


Fundamental Analysis

Top-line and profitability: Total revenue stood at $203,551,000 for the period reported, with YoY revenue growth of -0.10% and QoQ revenue growth of +59.50%, reflecting seasonal and periodization effects reported for the quarter. Net income registered a loss of $165,819,000 and operating income registered a loss of $207,031,000, producing an operating margin of -101.71% and an EBIT margin of -97.73%, both well below the industry peer mean (EBIT margin industry peer mean 20.53%).

Earnings per share: Reported EPS came in at -$1.20 versus an estimate of -$1.35, delivering an EPS surprise of +11.11%, which narrowed downside versus expectations for the quarter.

Cash flow and liquidity: Operating cash flow totaled -$356,838,000 and free cash flow totaled -$370,026,000, producing a free cash flow yield of -5.68%, below the industry peer mean free cash flow yield (~0.48%). Cash and short-term investments totaled $376,410,000, while the company carried net debt of $1,358,552,000; the cash position provides runway but negative operating cash flow and negative free cash flow indicate cash strain versus capital returns.

Balance sheet structure: Total debt measured $2,246,114,000 and debt-to-assets registered 85.69%, substantially above the industry peer mean (≈37.97%), while total equity remained negative at -$550,910,000 and book value per share measured -$4.36, reflecting an unusual capital structure that amplifies leverage metrics.

Profitability and returns: Return on equity at 30.10% contrasts with negative net income; distortions arise from negative equity and non-recurring items. Gross margin and cash conversion metrics remained negative, and EBITDA registered -$170,007,000 for the period, all of which constrain intrinsic valuation despite the company’s active capital returns.

Valuation: WMDST values the stock as over-valued. Key market multiples show negative PE and negative enterprise multiple metrics alongside a price-to-sales ratio of 31.99 and an EV/R of 41.18, all consistent with the stated over-valued determination when paired with negative margins and weak cash generation.

MOST-RECENT QUARTERLY REPORT
REPORT PERIOD ENDING: 2025-09-30
REPORT DATE: 2025-11-06
NEXT REPORT DATE: 2026-02-05
CASH FLOW  Begin Period Cash Flow 1.0 B
 Operating Cash Flow -356.84 M
 Capital Expenditures -13.19 M
 Change In Working Capital -244.89 M
 Dividends Paid -50.21 M
 Cash Flow Delta -605.74 M
 End Period Cash Flow 397.4 M
 
INCOME STATEMENT REVENUE
 Total Revenue 203.6 M
 Forward Revenue -53.03 M
COSTS
 Cost Of Revenue 274.0 M
 Depreciation 28.9 M
 Depreciation and Amortization 28.9 M
 Research and Development
 Total Operating Expenses 410.6 M
PROFITABILITY
 Gross Profit -70.47 M
 EBITDA -170.01 M
 EBIT -198.93 M
 Operating Income -207.03 M
 Interest Income
 Interest Expense 17.4 M
 Net Interest Income -17.40 M
 Income Before Tax -216.33 M
 Tax Provision -50.96 M
 Tax Rate 23.6 %
 Net Income -165.82 M
 Net Income From Continuing Operations -165.82 M
EARNINGS
 EPS Estimate -1.35
 EPS Actual -1.20
 EPS Difference 0.15
 EPS Surprise 11.111 %
 Forward EPS 1.37
 
BALANCE SHEET ASSETS
 Total Assets 2.6 B
 Intangible Assets 1.1 B
 Net Tangible Assets -1.60 B
 Total Current Assets 564.2 M
 Cash and Short-Term Investments 376.4 M
 Cash 376.4 M
 Net Receivables
 Inventory
 Long-Term Investments 67.4 M
LIABILITIES
 Accounts Payable 145.6 M
 Short-Term Debt
 Total Current Liabilities 739.6 M
 Net Debt 1.4 B
 Total Debt 2.2 B
 Total Liabilities 3.2 B
EQUITY
 Total Equity -550.91 M
 Retained Earnings -609.30 M
VALUATION & PER-SHARE METRICS EQUITY & PER-SHARE METRICS
 Book Value Per-Share -4.36
 Shares Outstanding 126.421 M
 Revenue Per-Share 1.61
VALUATION
 Market Capitalization 6.5 B
 Enterprise Value 8.4 B
 Enterprise Multiple -49.3
Enterprise Multiple QoQ -346.762 %
Enterprise Multiple YoY 16.308 %
Enterprise Multiple IPRWA high: 53.904
median: 51.776
mean: 47.643
low: 28.794
HRB: -49.3
 EV/R 41.176
CAPITAL STRUCTURE
 Asset To Equity -4.758
 Asset To Liability 0.826
 Debt To Capital 1.325
 Debt To Assets 0.857
Debt To Assets QoQ 38.092 %
Debt To Assets YoY 1053.399 %
Debt To Assets IPRWA HRB: 0.857
high: 0.538
median: 0.418
mean: 0.38
low: 0.274
 Debt To Equity -4.077
Debt To Equity QoQ -117.896 %
Debt To Equity YoY 692.178 %
Debt To Equity IPRWA high: 3.791
median: 3.21
mean: 2.768
low: 1.225
HRB: -4.077
PRICE-BASED VALUATION
 Price To Book (P/B) -11.82
Price To Book QoQ -114.567 %
Price To Book YoY -46.8 %
Price To Book IPRWA high: 14.757
mean: 7.846
median: 7.23
low: 2.9
HRB: -11.82
 Price To Earnings (P/E) -42.923
Price To Earnings QoQ -274.829 %
Price To Earnings YoY -15.84 %
Price To Earnings IPRWA high: 92.833
mean: 74.712
median: 68.822
low: 40.745
HRB: -42.923
 PE/G Ratio 0.281
 Price To Sales (P/S) 31.99
Price To Sales QoQ 392.738 %
Price To Sales YoY -24.183 %
Price To Sales IPRWA HRB: 31.99
high: 10.705
mean: 9.12
median: 7.645
low: 6.832
FORWARD MULTIPLES
Forward P/E 40.547
Forward PE/G -0.265
Forward P/S -130.615
EFFICIENCY OPERATIONAL
 Operating Leverage 1.859
ASSET & SALES
 Asset Turnover Ratio 0.069
Asset Turnover Ratio QoQ -79.738 %
Asset Turnover Ratio YoY 2.947 %
Asset Turnover Ratio IPRWA high: 0.281
mean: 0.144
median: 0.078
HRB: 0.069
low: 0.058
 Receivables Turnover
Receivables Turnover Ratio QoQ
Receivables Turnover Ratio YoY
Receivables Turnover Ratio IPRWA
 Inventory Turnover
Inventory Turnover Ratio QoQ
Inventory Turnover Ratio YoY
Inventory Turnover Ratio IPRWA
 Days Sales Outstanding (DSO)
CASH CYCLE
 Cash Conversion Cycle Days (CCC) -24.795
Cash Conversion Cycle Days QoQ
Cash Conversion Cycle Days YoY
Cash Conversion Cycle Days IPRWA high: 25.264
HRB: -24.795
mean: -33.122
median: -35.231
low: -67.066
CAPITAL DEPLOYMENT
 Cash Conversion Ratio -1.161
 CapEx To Revenue -0.065
 CapEx To Depreciation -0.456
 
CAPITAL, LIQUIDITY & COVERAGE CAPITAL STRUCTURE
 Total Capital 1.2 B
 Net Invested Capital 1.2 B
 Invested Capital 1.2 B
 Net Tangible Assets -1.60 B
 Net Working Capital -175.31 M
LIQUIDITY
 Cash Ratio 0.509
 Current Ratio 0.763
Current Ratio QoQ -14.775 %
Current Ratio YoY -0.717 %
Current Ratio IPRWA high: 1.733
mean: 0.803
HRB: 0.763
median: 0.558
low: 0.541
 Quick Ratio
Quick Ratio QoQ
Quick Ratio YoY
Quick Ratio IPRWA
COVERAGE & LEVERAGE
 Debt To EBITDA -13.212
 Cost Of Debt 0.623 %
 Interest Coverage Ratio -11.431
Interest Coverage Ratio QoQ -147.167 %
Interest Coverage Ratio YoY -16.293 %
Interest Coverage Ratio IPRWA high: 9.896
mean: 6.1
median: 3.449
low: 2.398
HRB: -11.431
 Operating Cash Flow Ratio -0.183
TIMING / LIQUIDITY
 Days Payables Outstanding (DPO) 24.795
DIVIDENDS
 Dividend Coverage Ratio -3.303
 Dividend Payout Ratio -0.303
 Dividend Rate 0.40
 Dividend Yield 0.008
PERFORMANCE GROWTH
 Asset Growth Rate -19.687 %
 Revenue Growth -81.679 %
Revenue Growth QoQ 59.501 %
Revenue Growth YoY -0.1 %
Revenue Growth IPRWA high: 9.738 %
mean: 2.882 %
low: -0.69 %
median: -0.69 %
HRB: -81.679 %
 Earnings Growth -152.863 %
Earnings Growth QoQ 164.437 %
Earnings Growth YoY -5.585 %
Earnings Growth IPRWA high: 46.729 %
mean: 11.414 %
median: -1.136 %
low: -3.067 %
HRB: -152.863 %
MARGINS
 Gross Margin -34.618 %
Gross Margin QoQ -166.532 %
Gross Margin YoY -11.454 %
Gross Margin IPRWA high: 57.212 %
mean: 32.491 %
median: 27.036 %
low: 25.096 %
HRB: -34.618 %
 EBIT Margin -97.729 %
EBIT Margin QoQ -383.043 %
EBIT Margin YoY -12.479 %
EBIT Margin IPRWA high: 26.256 %
median: 21.411 %
mean: 20.531 %
low: 15.053 %
HRB: -97.729 %
 Return On Sales (ROS) -101.71 %
Return On Sales QoQ -404.357 %
Return On Sales YoY -8.913 %
Return On Sales IPRWA high: 25.446 %
median: 21.474 %
mean: 20.619 %
low: 15.053 %
HRB: -101.71 %
CASH FLOW
 Free Cash Flow (FCF) -370.03 M
 Free Cash Flow Yield -5.682 %
Free Cash Flow Yield QoQ -269.865 %
Free Cash Flow Yield YoY 33.789 %
Free Cash Flow Yield IPRWA high: 1.244 %
median: 1.17 %
mean: 0.48 %
low: -5.487 %
HRB: -5.682 %
 Free Cash Growth -253.34 %
Free Cash Growth QoQ 210.961 %
Free Cash Growth YoY 15.44 %
Free Cash Growth IPRWA high: 102.031 %
mean: -22.383 %
median: -51.667 %
HRB: -253.34 %
low: -835.14 %
 Free Cash To Net Income 2.232
 Cash Flow Margin -66.504 %
 Cash Flow To Earnings 0.816
VALUE & RETURNS
 Economic Value Added 0.03
 Return On Assets (ROA) -5.635 %
Return On Assets QoQ -161.243 %
Return On Assets YoY -5.816 %
Return On Assets IPRWA high: 4.819 %
mean: 1.861 %
median: 0.646 %
low: 0.502 %
HRB: -5.635 %
 Return On Capital Employed (ROCE) -10.571 %
 Return On Equity (ROE) 0.301
Return On Equity QoQ -91.064 %
Return On Equity YoY -35.805 %
Return On Equity IPRWA high: 0.335
HRB: 0.301
mean: 0.121
median: 0.075
low: 0.027
 DuPont ROE 71.777 %
 Return On Invested Capital (ROIC) -12.836 %
Return On Invested Capital QoQ -164.812 %
Return On Invested Capital YoY -118.198 %
Return On Invested Capital IPRWA high: 8.035 %
mean: 3.933 %
median: 2.511 %
low: 1.439 %
HRB: -12.836 %

Six-Week Outlook

For swing traders, the near-term setup favors consolidation with a modest upside bias if momentum indicators persist: the MACD cross above its signal line and the rising MRO imply potential mean reversion toward model targets, while RSI rising from the low 40s supports further intramonth gains. Countervailing factors include a weak ADX, conflicting DI signals, price below the 50- and 200-day averages, and low volume—each limiting conviction for a sustained breakout. Expect price to oscillate within the $43–$46 band absent a decisive volume-led move, with any momentum continuation dependent on improved cash-flow signals or a material change in operating metrics.

About H&R Block, Inc.

H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE:HRB) delivers tax preparation services to individuals and small businesses in the United States, Canada, and Australia. Founded in 1955 and headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, H&R Block simplifies the tax filing process through a combination of in-person, online, and mobile solutions. The company provides comprehensive tax services, including assisted tax return preparation via its extensive network of retail offices and franchisees. Additionally, H&R Block offers do-it-yourself (DIY) options through user-friendly software and applications. The company enhances the tax filing experience with services such as Refund Transfers, allowing clients to select their preferred method of receiving tax refunds, and Peace of Mind extended service plans, which include audit representation and error coverage. Beyond tax preparation, H&R Block supports clients with financial tools like the H&R Block Emerald Prepaid Mastercard and Spruce, providing convenient options for everyday transactions. The company also offers small business solutions, including payment processing, payroll, and bookkeeping, enabling efficient financial management. H&R Block remains committed to innovation and client satisfaction, serving as a reliable partner in navigating tax and financial complexities.



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