Whirlpool (NYSE:WHR) Sets New 12-Month Low After Earnings Miss

Key Points

• Whirlpool missed Q1 estimates with EPS of ($0.56) versus $0.43 expected and revenue of $3.27B versus $3.44B, sending the stock to a new 52‑week low (trading as low as $44.87).
• The company cut FY2026 ongoing EPS guidance to $3.00–$3.50, announced recapitalization, cost and pricing actions to restore margins and target >$300M free cash flow, and has suspended its dividend to prioritize debt reduction (planned paydown of over $900M in 2026).
• Management warned appliance demand “hasn’t been this weak since the 2008 financial crisis,” citing macro shocks like the Iran war and higher fuel prices as drivers of a “recession‑level industry decline” that could prolong weak sales and margin recovery.

Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE:WHR - Get Free Report)'s stock price reached a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Thursday following a weaker than expected earnings announcement. The stock traded as low as $44.87 and last traded at $48.07, with a volume of 3217695 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $54.73.

The company reported ($0.56) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.43 by ($0.99). The firm had revenue of $3.27 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.44 billion. Whirlpool had a net margin of 2.04% and a return on equity of 12.98%. Whirlpool's revenue for the quarter was down 9.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.70 earnings per share. Whirlpool has set its FY 2026 guidance at 3.000-3.500 EPS.

Whirlpool Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 26th. Investors of record on Friday, February 27th were given a dividend of $0.90 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 27th. This represents a $3.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.5%. Whirlpool's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 63.72%.

Key Whirlpool News

Here are the key news stories impacting Whirlpool this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Management accelerated actions to stabilize the business — a recent recapitalization and balance‑sheet moves support planned debt paydown of over $900M in 2026, and the company is pursuing cost cuts and price increases intended to restore margins and generate >$300M free cash flow for the year. Whirlpool Corporation Announces First-Quarter Results; Accelerates Cost and Pricing Actions to Restore Margins
• Neutral Sentiment: The move in WHR is occurring alongside other large pre‑market movers — broader market volatility may be amplifying the share reaction today. Snap, Whirlpool, Nerdwallet And Other Big Stocks Moving Lower In Thursday's Pre-Market Session
• Negative Sentiment: Whirlpool missed Q1 estimates (ongoing EPS loss of $0.56 vs. an expected $0.43; revenue $3.27B vs. $3.44B est.), cut full‑year ongoing EPS guidance to $3.00–$3.50 (well below Street expectations), and suspended its dividend to focus on debt — key near‑term drivers behind the selloff. Whirlpool Cuts Forecast, Suspends Dividend To Tackle Debt, Stock Tanks
• Negative Sentiment: The CFO warned appliance demand “hasn’t been this weak since the 2008 financial crisis,” signaling that sales could remain depressed and delaying any recovery in margins and cash flow. Whirlpool (WHR) Stock Plunges 20% as CFO Warns of Worst Demand Since Financial Crisis
• Negative Sentiment: Management attributes the abrupt pullback in U.S. demand to the Iran war’s impact on fuel prices and consumer confidence, calling it a “recession‑level industry decline” — a macro driver that could suppress big‑ticket appliance purchases for multiple quarters. Whirlpool says Iran war causing 'recession-level industry decline.' The shares are down 20%

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. Bank of America cut their target price on shares of Whirlpool from $60.00 to $50.00 and set an "underperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, April 20th. BNP Paribas Exane upgraded shares of Whirlpool to a "neutral" rating in a research report on Monday, March 16th. Citigroup assumed coverage on shares of Whirlpool in a research report on Wednesday, April 22nd. They set a "neutral" rating and a $60.00 target price on the stock. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Whirlpool from a "sell (d)" rating to a "hold (c-)" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 12th. Finally, Zacks Research cut Whirlpool from a "hold" rating to a "strong sell" rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 10th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Reduce" and an average price target of $72.89.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Flagship Harbor Advisors LLC bought a new position in Whirlpool during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Whirlpool by 129.2% during the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 369 shares of the company's stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 208 shares during the last quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. raised its holdings in Whirlpool by 172.0% during the 4th quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 389 shares of the company's stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 246 shares during the last quarter. Garton & Associates Financial Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Whirlpool in the 4th quarter valued at $35,000. Finally, SBI Securities Co. Ltd. increased its stake in shares of Whirlpool by 113.4% in the 4th quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 527 shares of the company's stock valued at $38,000 after acquiring an additional 280 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 90.78% of the company's stock.

Whirlpool Stock Down 12.0%

The company has a market cap of $2.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.52, a P/E/G ratio of 11.75 and a beta of 1.23. The stock's 50-day moving average is $57.12 and its 200-day moving average is $70.61. The company has a current ratio of 0.76, a quick ratio of 0.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.06.

About Whirlpool

Whirlpool Corporation is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of home appliances, with a product portfolio that spans major categories such as laundry, refrigeration, cooking, dishwashing and small electrics. Headquartered in Benton Harbor, Michigan, the company designs, produces and distributes its appliances through a network of wholly owned manufacturing facilities, joint ventures and third-party partners. Whirlpool serves both retail and professional markets, offering products under its flagship Whirlpool brand as well as several well-known names including Maytag, KitchenAid, JennAir, Amana, Brastemp and Consul.

In its laundry segment, Whirlpool provides top- and front-load washing machines, dryers and combination units designed to balance energy efficiency, capacity and convenience.

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