Whirlpool (NYSE:WHR) Sees Large Volume Increase - Should You Buy?

Key Points

• Whirlpool’s third-quarter results were significantly weaker than expected: adjusted EPS was a $0.21 loss versus analysts’ projected $0.73 profit, while revenue fell 8.8% year over year to $3.68 billion and missed estimates.
• The company cut its 2026 outlook amid weak appliance demand, higher raw-material and fuel costs, and a weakening housing market. Although management cited cost controls, improved debt expectations, and planned price increases, Whirlpool also faces a suspended dividend and continued profitability challenges.
• Analyst sentiment remains bearish: the average rating is “Reduce,” with nine Hold ratings and four Sell ratings, while the average price target is $35.67. Shares recently traded near $26.42, and trading volume was 16% above average.

Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE:WHR - Get Free Report) saw unusually-high trading volume on Tuesday. 3,185,495 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 16% from the average daily volume of 2,740,246 shares. The stock last traded at $26.4160 and had previously closed at $26.45.

Key Whirlpool News

Here are the key news stories impacting Whirlpool this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Whirlpool reported sequential operational progress, including a 2.6% ongoing EBIT margin, structural cost actions, and strict working-capital management. Management also expects year-end net debt below $4.5 billion, an improvement from its previous expectation of less than $5 billion. Whirlpool Corporation Announces Third-Quarter Results
• Positive Sentiment: The company announced fourth-quarter price increases in its North American and Latin American major-appliance businesses, which could help offset raw-material, fuel, and other cost inflation if consumers accept the higher prices. Whirlpool Corporation Reports Earnings Results
• Neutral Sentiment: Whirlpool maintained a focus on cash generation, forecasting approximately $700 million in 2026 operating cash flow and $300 million in free cash flow. However, investors will likely monitor execution closely given the company’s ongoing profitability challenges.
• Neutral Sentiment: Latin American MDA sales increased 6.9% to $858 million, partially offsetting weakness in North America.
• Negative Sentiment: Third-quarter ongoing earnings fell to a loss of $0.21 per diluted share, versus analyst expectations for a $0.73 profit and $2.09 of earnings a year earlier. GAAP diluted loss was $3.80 per share. Whirlpool Q3 Swings to Adjusted Loss
• Negative Sentiment: Revenue declined 8.8% year over year to $3.68 billion, missing the $3.93 billion consensus estimate. North American MDA sales dropped 8.3%, marking another decline in a prolonged period of falling revenue. Whirlpool Reports Q3 Loss
• Negative Sentiment: Whirlpool cut its 2026 outlook to approximately $14.5 billion in sales, a $1.30 ongoing EPS loss, and a $4.95 GAAP EPS loss. Higher raw-material and fuel costs, weak appliance demand, and a weakening housing market are compounding the pressure. Whirlpool Stock Drops After Q3 Miss and Guidance Cut
• Negative Sentiment: Analyst sentiment has worsened, with Stifel Nicolaus lowering its price target from $37 to $30 and Wells Fargo identifying few bright spots. The prior suspension of Whirlpool’s dividend also continues to weigh on income-oriented investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

WHR has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Wall Street Zen lowered Whirlpool from a "sell" rating to a "strong sell" rating in a research report on Saturday. BNP Paribas Exane began coverage on shares of Whirlpool in a report on Monday, July 13th. They set a "neutral" rating and a $43.00 price objective on the stock. Bank of America reduced their target price on shares of Whirlpool from $38.00 to $31.00 and set an "underperform" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, September 11th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a "sell (d)" rating on shares of Whirlpool in a report on Wednesday, August 5th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lowered their target price on shares of Whirlpool from $37.00 to $30.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a report on Monday. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and four have assigned a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Reduce" and an average target price of $35.67.

Whirlpool Trading Down 1.1%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.74, a current ratio of 1.15 and a quick ratio of 0.71. The company has a market capitalization of $1.71 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.98, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 24.99 and a beta of 1.21. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $33.87 and a 200-day moving average price of $50.19.

Whirlpool (NYSE:WHR - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, October 26th. The company reported ($0.21) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.73 by ($0.94). Whirlpool had a return on equity of 4.18% and a net margin of 1.17%. The business had revenue of $3.68 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.93 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.09 earnings per share. The business's revenue was down 8.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Whirlpool Corporation will post 1.13 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Trading of Whirlpool

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in WHR. Primecap Management Co. CA purchased a new stake in shares of Whirlpool during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $141,801,000. RWWM Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Whirlpool by 191.6% in the 1st quarter. RWWM Inc. now owns 2,422,618 shares of the company's stock worth $130,628,000 after purchasing an additional 1,591,849 shares during the period. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board bought a new stake in shares of Whirlpool in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $61,003,000. Nykredit A S purchased a new position in Whirlpool in the second quarter valued at approximately $51,953,000. Finally, Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. purchased a new position in Whirlpool in the second quarter valued at approximately $24,601,000. Institutional investors own 90.78% of the company's stock.

About Whirlpool

Whirlpool Corporation NYSE: WHR is a global manufacturer and marketer of home appliances. The company develops products designed for kitchens and laundry rooms, including refrigerators and freezers, cooking appliances, dishwashers, washing machines and dryers, and related household appliances.

Whirlpool sells products under a portfolio of well-known brands, including Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, JennAir and Amana. Its products are distributed through retailers, builders, distributors and other sales channels to residential customers in North America and international markets.

The company traces its history to 1911, when it was founded as the Upton Machine Company in Benton Harbor, Michigan.

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