HNI
IndustrialsHNI Corporation · Business Equipment & Supplies · $2B
What is HNI Corporation?
HNI Corporation is a Muscatine, Iowa-based manufacturer operating across two distinct markets: workplace furnishings and residential building products. The company serves commercial buyers, home office users, and homebuilders primarily across the United States.
HNI generates revenue through two segments. The Workplace Furnishings segment designs and sells commercial and home office furniture — including seating, storage, panel systems, and architectural products — through dealers, distributors, e-commerce channels, and direct government sales. The Residential Building Products segment manufactures gas, wood, electric, and pellet-fueled fireplaces, stoves, inserts, and accessories sold through independent dealers and company-owned retail outlets. Together, these segments give HNI exposure to both corporate spending cycles and residential construction trends.
HNI Corporation was incorporated in 1944 and is headquartered in Muscatine, Iowa.
- Commercial and home office furniture systems under HON, Allsteel, and Gunlocke brands
- Residential fireplaces and stoves under Heatilator, Heat & Glo, and Majestic brands
- Seating, storage, and architectural office products
- Pellet and wood-burning stoves under Quadra-Fire and Vermont Castings brands
- E-commerce and direct-to-government furniture distribution
Is HNI a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates HNI as Below Average overall, reflecting a mixed picture across its five quality pillars.
The Growth pillar stands out as the clearest positive — HNI has demonstrated meaningful expansion momentum relative to its size and sector positioning. Valuation is rated Attractive, suggesting the market may not be fully pricing in the company's recovery potential. Quality lands at Neutral, indicating adequate but not exceptional financial discipline.
The Moat and Risk pillars are both rated Weak, pointing to limited competitive differentiation and meaningful exposure to macro and operational headwinds — factors worth weighing carefully.
See the exact pillar breakdown and full financial metrics by signing up for a UQS Pro account. Sign up free →
Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does HNI pay dividends?
Yes — HNI Corporation pays a dividend.
HNI pays a regular dividend, making it relevant for income-oriented investors. The company has maintained this practice over an extended period, reflecting a capital allocation philosophy that balances shareholder returns with reinvestment needs. Given the cyclical nature of both office furniture and residential construction, dividend sustainability is worth monitoring alongside earnings trends.
When does HNI report earnings?
HNI Corporation reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with standard practice for US-listed equities.
Results have reflected the interplay between office furniture demand cycles and residential construction activity. Both segments carry sensitivity to broader economic conditions, which can create variability quarter to quarter.
For the most recent quarter's results and upcoming reporting dates, visit HNI Corporation's investor relations page directly.
HNI Price History
-4.2% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
HNI Long-term Outlook
HNI's Growth pillar rating of Good suggests the business has identifiable forward momentum, even as the Weak Risk rating signals that execution and macro risks remain elevated. The Attractive Valuation label indicates the stock may offer a margin of safety relative to fundamentals — but the Weak Moat rating means that growth may be harder to sustain without stronger competitive barriers. Investors focused on fundamental quality should weigh the growth opportunity against the risk profile carefully.
Growth drivers
- Recovery in commercial office furniture demand as hybrid work stabilizes
- Residential construction and remodeling activity supporting fireplace segment sales
- Potential for margin improvement through operational efficiency across both segments
Key risks
- Weak competitive moat leaves HNI exposed to pricing pressure from larger or lower-cost rivals
- Cyclical sensitivity in both office and residential end markets amplifies earnings volatility
- Elevated Risk pillar rating reflects balance sheet and operational factors that could limit flexibility
HNI vs Peers
HNI operates in a fragmented industrials landscape alongside several companies that compete across office products and commercial supplies.
Ennis focuses on printed business products and forms rather than furniture, representing a different slice of the commercial supplies market.
ACCO Brands competes in office and school supplies with a global brand portfolio, distinct from HNI's furniture and fireplace focus.
Avery Dennison operates in labeling and packaging materials, giving it a more materials-science-driven business model compared to HNI's manufacturing approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does HNI Corporation do?
HNI Corporation manufactures workplace furniture and residential building products. Its office furniture brands serve commercial and home office buyers through dealers and e-commerce, while its residential segment sells fireplaces, stoves, and related accessories through independent dealers and company-owned outlets.
Does HNI pay dividends?
Yes, HNI pays a regular dividend. The company has maintained dividend payments over an extended period, making it a consideration for income-focused investors. Given its cyclical end markets, it is worth reviewing dividend history and payout trends through HNI's investor relations page.
When does HNI report earnings?
HNI reports earnings on a quarterly basis, in line with standard US-listed company practice. For exact upcoming reporting dates, check HNI Corporation's investor relations page, as our data source does not cover specific future earnings dates.
Is HNI a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates HNI as Below Average overall. The Growth and Valuation pillars are relative positives, while the Moat and Risk pillars are rated Weak. Whether HNI fits a portfolio depends on individual risk tolerance and investment goals — the full pillar breakdown is available to UQS Pro members.
Is HNI overvalued?
UQS Score's Valuation pillar rates HNI as Attractive, suggesting the stock may be trading at a reasonable level relative to its fundamentals. However, an attractive valuation alone does not offset concerns in other areas — particularly the Weak Moat and Risk ratings.
How does HNI compare to its competitors?
HNI's closest listed peers include Ennis, ACCO Brands, and Avery Dennison. Each operates in adjacent commercial products spaces but with different business models. HNI's dual exposure to office furniture and residential fireplaces gives it a somewhat unique profile within the industrials sector.
What is HNI's market cap bracket?
HNI Corporation is classified as a small-cap company. This places it in a segment of the market that can offer growth potential but also tends to carry higher volatility and liquidity risk compared to large- or mega-cap peers.
Who founded HNI Corporation?
HNI Corporation was incorporated in 1944. Founding details are part of the company's publicly available history — the company's official website and investor relations materials provide the full background on its origins and evolution.
Is HNI a long-term quality investment?
As a long-term quality indicator, HNI's UQS profile presents a mixed picture. The Good Growth rating and Attractive Valuation offer some encouragement, but the Weak Moat and Risk ratings suggest the business may face challenges sustaining competitive advantages over time. Pro members can view the complete analysis.
What is the main competitive advantage of HNI Corporation?
HNI's breadth of brand portfolio — spanning multiple office furniture and residential fireplace brands — provides some distribution reach and channel diversity. However, the UQS Moat pillar rates this advantage as Weak, indicating limited pricing power or structural barriers relative to sector peers.
What sector does HNI belong to?
HNI Corporation is classified in the Industrials sector. Its two segments — workplace furnishings and residential building products — give it exposure to both commercial real estate and housing market cycles, making it sensitive to broader economic conditions.
Is HNI a growth stock or value stock?
Based on UQS pillar labels, HNI shows characteristics of both. The Growth pillar is rated Good, suggesting meaningful expansion potential, while the Valuation pillar is rated Attractive — a combination that may appeal to investors seeking growth at a reasonable price.
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Pro Analysis
HNI — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 23, 2026 | 50.1 | 44.7 | 27.0 | 67.1 | 29.3 | 96.0 | -0.1 |
| Apr 19, 2026 | 50.2 | 44.7 | 27.0 | 67.1 | 29.3 | 96.2 | +0.1 |
| Apr 18, 2026 | 50.1 | 44.7 | 27.0 | 67.1 | 29.3 | 96.0 | -0.6 |
| Apr 2, 2026 | 50.7 | 44.7 | 27.0 | 67.1 | 29.3 | 100.0 | — |
HNI — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 17.9/100 (25%)HNI Corporation currently shows below-average quality metrics, suggesting challenges with profitability.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 67.1/100 (20%)HNI Corporation demonstrates healthy growth trends across revenue and earnings.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 28.1/100 (15%)HNI Corporation presents elevated risk with concerns around leverage or financial stability.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 97.1/100 (15%)HNI Corporation appears attractively valued relative to its earnings, cash flows, and sector peers.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
How many years of FCF the market cap represents.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 27/100 (25%)HNI Corporation operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for HNI.
Score Composition
Financial Data
More Stock Analysis
How is the HNI UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for HNI Corporation is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses HNI Corporation's competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether HNI Corporation is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.