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Western Digital (WDC) Competitors

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$494.09 +5.35 (+1.09%)
Closing price 05/13/2026 04:00 PM Eastern
Extended Trading
$485.78 -8.32 (-1.68%)
As of 04:55 AM Eastern
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WDC vs. AMAT, KLAC, LRCX, MKSI, and MU

Should you buy Western Digital stock or one of its competitors? MarketBeat compares Western Digital with other companies and stocks that may be similar based on industry, sector, market capitalization, business model, investor interest, or shared news coverage. Companies and stocks commonly compared with Western Digital include Applied Materials (AMAT), KLA (KLAC), Lam Research (LRCX), MKS (MKSI), and Micron Technology (MU). These companies are all part of the "computer and technology" sector.

How does Western Digital compare to Applied Materials?

Applied Materials (NASDAQ:AMAT) and Western Digital (NASDAQ:WDC) are both large-cap computer and technology companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, risk, earnings, institutional ownership, profitability, analyst recommendations, dividends and media sentiment.

80.6% of Applied Materials shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 92.5% of Western Digital shares are held by institutional investors. 0.3% of Applied Materials shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.2% of Western Digital shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Applied Materials currently has a consensus price target of $384.52, indicating a potential downside of 11.93%. Western Digital has a consensus price target of $395.83, indicating a potential downside of 19.89%. Given Applied Materials' higher possible upside, equities research analysts clearly believe Applied Materials is more favorable than Western Digital.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Applied Materials
0 Sell rating(s)
7 Hold rating(s)
28 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.80
Western Digital
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
19 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.91

In the previous week, Applied Materials had 8 more articles in the media than Western Digital. MarketBeat recorded 80 mentions for Applied Materials and 72 mentions for Western Digital. Western Digital's average media sentiment score of 1.07 beat Applied Materials' score of 0.95 indicating that Western Digital is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Applied Materials
40 Very Positive mention(s)
9 Positive mention(s)
22 Neutral mention(s)
3 Negative mention(s)
3 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Western Digital
45 Very Positive mention(s)
12 Positive mention(s)
10 Neutral mention(s)
3 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Applied Materials has higher revenue and earnings than Western Digital. Western Digital is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Applied Materials, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Applied Materials$28.37B12.21$7.00B$9.7744.69
Western Digital$9.52B17.89$1.89B$16.7529.50

Applied Materials has a beta of 1.66, suggesting that its share price is 66% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Western Digital has a beta of 2.1, suggesting that its share price is 110% more volatile than the broader market.

Western Digital has a net margin of 55.29% compared to Applied Materials' net margin of 27.78%. Western Digital's return on equity of 42.95% beat Applied Materials' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Applied Materials27.78% 37.52% 21.33%
Western Digital 55.29%42.95%20.37%

Applied Materials pays an annual dividend of $1.84 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.4%. Western Digital pays an annual dividend of $0.50 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.1%. Applied Materials pays out 18.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Western Digital pays out 3.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Applied Materials has increased its dividend for 8 consecutive years. Applied Materials is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Summary

Applied Materials and Western Digital tied by winning 10 of the 20 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Western Digital compare to KLA?

Western Digital (NASDAQ:WDC) and KLA (NASDAQ:KLAC) are both large-cap computer and technology companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, valuation, profitability, earnings, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, risk and media sentiment.

KLA has higher revenue and earnings than Western Digital. Western Digital is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than KLA, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Western Digital$9.52B17.89$1.89B$16.7529.50
KLA$12.16B19.88$4.06B$35.3352.36

In the previous week, Western Digital had 46 more articles in the media than KLA. MarketBeat recorded 72 mentions for Western Digital and 26 mentions for KLA. Western Digital's average media sentiment score of 1.07 beat KLA's score of 0.93 indicating that Western Digital is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Western Digital
45 Very Positive mention(s)
12 Positive mention(s)
10 Neutral mention(s)
3 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
KLA
11 Very Positive mention(s)
3 Positive mention(s)
6 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Western Digital presently has a consensus price target of $395.83, indicating a potential downside of 19.89%. KLA has a consensus price target of $1,838.48, indicating a potential downside of 0.61%. Given KLA's higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe KLA is more favorable than Western Digital.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Western Digital
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
19 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.91
KLA
0 Sell rating(s)
10 Hold rating(s)
20 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.67

Western Digital has a net margin of 55.29% compared to KLA's net margin of 35.66%. KLA's return on equity of 91.89% beat Western Digital's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Western Digital55.29% 42.95% 20.37%
KLA 35.66%91.89%29.21%

Western Digital has a beta of 2.1, meaning that its stock price is 110% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, KLA has a beta of 1.5, meaning that its stock price is 50% more volatile than the broader market.

92.5% of Western Digital shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 86.7% of KLA shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.2% of Western Digital shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 91.5% of KLA shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Western Digital pays an annual dividend of $0.50 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.1%. KLA pays an annual dividend of $7.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.4%. Western Digital pays out 3.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. KLA pays out 21.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. KLA has raised its dividend for 16 consecutive years. KLA is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Summary

KLA beats Western Digital on 12 of the 20 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Western Digital compare to Lam Research?

Western Digital (NASDAQ:WDC) and Lam Research (NASDAQ:LRCX) are both large-cap computer and technology companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, valuation, dividends, institutional ownership, risk, earnings, analyst recommendations and media sentiment.

In the previous week, Western Digital had 2 more articles in the media than Lam Research. MarketBeat recorded 72 mentions for Western Digital and 70 mentions for Lam Research. Lam Research's average media sentiment score of 1.22 beat Western Digital's score of 1.07 indicating that Lam Research is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Western Digital
45 Very Positive mention(s)
12 Positive mention(s)
10 Neutral mention(s)
3 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Lam Research
47 Very Positive mention(s)
7 Positive mention(s)
9 Neutral mention(s)
3 Negative mention(s)
1 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

92.5% of Western Digital shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 84.6% of Lam Research shares are held by institutional investors. 0.2% of Western Digital shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.3% of Lam Research shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Western Digital presently has a consensus price target of $395.83, indicating a potential downside of 19.89%. Lam Research has a consensus price target of $291.75, indicating a potential downside of 1.25%. Given Lam Research's higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Lam Research is more favorable than Western Digital.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Western Digital
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
19 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.91
Lam Research
0 Sell rating(s)
8 Hold rating(s)
26 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.76

Western Digital has a net margin of 55.29% compared to Lam Research's net margin of 30.94%. Lam Research's return on equity of 66.21% beat Western Digital's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Western Digital55.29% 42.95% 20.37%
Lam Research 30.94%66.21%31.61%

Western Digital has a beta of 2.1, indicating that its share price is 110% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Lam Research has a beta of 1.81, indicating that its share price is 81% more volatile than the broader market.

Lam Research has higher revenue and earnings than Western Digital. Western Digital is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Lam Research, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Western Digital$9.52B17.89$1.89B$16.7529.50
Lam Research$18.44B20.04$5.36B$5.3055.74

Western Digital pays an annual dividend of $0.50 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.1%. Lam Research pays an annual dividend of $1.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.4%. Western Digital pays out 3.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Lam Research pays out 19.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Lam Research has increased its dividend for 10 consecutive years. Lam Research is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Summary

Lam Research beats Western Digital on 12 of the 20 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Western Digital compare to MKS?

MKS (NASDAQ:MKSI) and Western Digital (NASDAQ:WDC) are both large-cap computer and technology companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, dividends, institutional ownership, media sentiment, risk, profitability, analyst recommendations and valuation.

In the previous week, Western Digital had 40 more articles in the media than MKS. MarketBeat recorded 72 mentions for Western Digital and 32 mentions for MKS. Western Digital's average media sentiment score of 1.07 beat MKS's score of 0.56 indicating that Western Digital is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
MKS
10 Very Positive mention(s)
5 Positive mention(s)
9 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Western Digital
45 Very Positive mention(s)
12 Positive mention(s)
10 Neutral mention(s)
3 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

99.8% of MKS shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 92.5% of Western Digital shares are held by institutional investors. 0.6% of MKS shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.2% of Western Digital shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

MKS currently has a consensus price target of $317.23, indicating a potential downside of 0.02%. Western Digital has a consensus price target of $395.83, indicating a potential downside of 19.89%. Given MKS's higher possible upside, research analysts clearly believe MKS is more favorable than Western Digital.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
MKS
1 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
10 Buy rating(s)
2 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.87
Western Digital
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
19 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.91

Western Digital has a net margin of 55.29% compared to MKS's net margin of 8.06%. Western Digital's return on equity of 42.95% beat MKS's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
MKS8.06% 21.49% 6.54%
Western Digital 55.29%42.95%20.37%

MKS has a beta of 1.98, suggesting that its share price is 98% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Western Digital has a beta of 2.1, suggesting that its share price is 110% more volatile than the broader market.

Western Digital has higher revenue and earnings than MKS. Western Digital is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than MKS, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
MKS$3.93B5.45$295M$4.7866.38
Western Digital$9.52B17.89$1.89B$16.7529.50

MKS pays an annual dividend of $1.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.3%. Western Digital pays an annual dividend of $0.50 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.1%. MKS pays out 20.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Western Digital pays out 3.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years.

Summary

Western Digital beats MKS on 13 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Western Digital compare to Micron Technology?

Micron Technology (NASDAQ:MU) and Western Digital (NASDAQ:WDC) are both large-cap computer and technology companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, institutional ownership, dividends, media sentiment, risk, valuation, profitability and analyst recommendations.

Western Digital has a net margin of 55.29% compared to Micron Technology's net margin of 41.49%. Western Digital's return on equity of 42.95% beat Micron Technology's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Micron Technology41.49% 41.16% 27.88%
Western Digital 55.29%42.95%20.37%

Micron Technology has higher revenue and earnings than Western Digital. Western Digital is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Micron Technology, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Micron Technology$37.38B24.25$8.54B$21.1837.94
Western Digital$9.52B17.89$1.89B$16.7529.50

80.8% of Micron Technology shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 92.5% of Western Digital shares are held by institutional investors. 0.2% of Micron Technology shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.2% of Western Digital shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Micron Technology pays an annual dividend of $0.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.1%. Western Digital pays an annual dividend of $0.50 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.1%. Micron Technology pays out 2.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Western Digital pays out 3.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years.

Micron Technology currently has a consensus target price of $495.63, indicating a potential downside of 38.33%. Western Digital has a consensus target price of $395.83, indicating a potential downside of 19.89%. Given Western Digital's higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Western Digital is more favorable than Micron Technology.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Micron Technology
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
30 Buy rating(s)
5 Strong Buy rating(s)
3.03
Western Digital
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
19 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.91

In the previous week, Micron Technology had 96 more articles in the media than Western Digital. MarketBeat recorded 168 mentions for Micron Technology and 72 mentions for Western Digital. Western Digital's average media sentiment score of 1.07 beat Micron Technology's score of 0.83 indicating that Western Digital is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Micron Technology
89 Very Positive mention(s)
23 Positive mention(s)
26 Neutral mention(s)
20 Negative mention(s)
6 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Western Digital
45 Very Positive mention(s)
12 Positive mention(s)
10 Neutral mention(s)
3 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Micron Technology has a beta of 1.91, meaning that its share price is 91% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Western Digital has a beta of 2.1, meaning that its share price is 110% more volatile than the broader market.

Summary

Micron Technology beats Western Digital on 12 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

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New MarketBeat Followers Over Time

This chart shows the number of new MarketBeat users adding WDC and its top 5 competitors to their watchlist. Each company is represented with a line over a 90 day period.
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Media Sentiment Over Time

This chart shows the average media sentiment of NASDAQ and its competitors over the past 90 days as caculated by MarketBeat. The averaged score is equivalent to the following: Very Negative Sentiment <= -1.5, Negative Sentiment > -1.5 and <= -0.5, Neutral Sentiment > -0.5 and < 0.5, Positive Sentiment >= 0.5 and < 1.5, and Very Positive Sentiment >= 1.5.
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WDC vs. The Competition

MetricWestern DigitalCOMP IndustryComputer SectorNASDAQ Exchange
Market Cap$168.46B$26.95B$38.55B$12.20B
Dividend Yield0.10%0.95%3.19%5.30%
P/E Ratio29.5041.42164.4725.58
Price / Sales17.896.13626.3078.84
Price / Cash80.7731.4147.8255.34
Price / Book17.6011.939.476.66
Net Income$1.89B$512.60M$1.03B$333.63M
7 Day Performance6.51%10.14%0.00%-0.11%
1 Month Performance34.92%43.33%9.16%3.94%
1 Year Performance904.25%197.41%163.87%36.07%

Western Digital Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
WDC
Western Digital
3.7449 of 5 stars
$494.09
+1.1%
$395.83
-19.9%
+908.1%$168.46B$9.52B29.5040,000
AMAT
Applied Materials
4.0677 of 5 stars
$391.38
+0.6%
$370.07
-5.4%
+152.3%$310.60B$28.37B40.0636,500
KLAC
KLA
4.3269 of 5 stars
$1,713.32
-0.7%
$1,798.30
+5.0%
+132.4%$224.58B$13.10B48.4915,200
LRCX
Lam Research
4.2612 of 5 stars
$258.57
+0.7%
$285.94
+10.6%
+246.6%$323.36B$21.68B48.7919,000
MKSI
MKS
3.4258 of 5 stars
$291.53
+4.3%
$280.77
-3.7%
+240.0%$19.63B$3.93B66.7110,300

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This page (NASDAQ:WDC) was last updated on 5/14/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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