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Western Digital (WDC)
NASDAQ:WDC
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Western Digital (WDC) AI Stock Analysis

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WDC

Western Digital

(NASDAQ:WDC)

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Outperform 78 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:78Outperform
Price Target:
$171.00
▲(4.52% Upside)
Western Digital's strong financial recovery and bullish technical indicators are the most significant factors driving the stock's positive outlook. The earnings call further supports this with robust growth projections and strategic investments. However, the high P/E ratio suggests some valuation concerns, which slightly temper the overall score.
Positive Factors
Revenue Growth
The significant year-over-year revenue growth indicates strong market demand and effective sales strategies, positioning the company for sustained expansion.
Cash Flow Generation
Robust free cash flow generation enhances financial flexibility, allowing for reinvestment in growth initiatives and shareholder returns.
AI-Driven Demand
AI adoption is a structural trend boosting demand for storage solutions, ensuring long-term revenue streams and market relevance.
Negative Factors
Revenue Decline
Recent revenue decline poses a challenge to growth momentum, potentially impacting future profitability if not reversed.
Operating Expenses
Higher-than-expected operating expenses could pressure margins, necessitating tighter cost controls to sustain profitability.
Macroeconomic Uncertainties
Macroeconomic uncertainties can affect demand and supply chain stability, posing risks to consistent operational performance.

Western Digital (WDC) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Western Digital Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionWestern Digital Corporation develops, manufactures, and sells data storage devices and solutions in the United States, China, Hong Kong, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, rest of Asia, and internationally. It offers client devices, including hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid state drives (SSDs) for computing devices, such as desktop and notebook personal computers (PCs), smart video systems, gaming consoles, and set top boxes; flash-based embedded storage products for mobile phones, tablets, notebook PCs, and other portable and wearable devices, as well as automotive, Internet of Things, industrial, and connected home applications; and flash-based memory wafers. The company also provides data center devices and solutions comprising enterprise helium hard drives; enterprise SSDs consisting of flash-based SSDs and software solutions for use in enterprise servers, online transactions, data analysis, and other enterprise applications; data center solutions for data storage systems and tiered storage models; and data storage platforms. In addition, it offers client solutions, such as external HDD storage products in mobile and desktop form; client portable SSDs; removable cards that are used in consumer devices comprising mobile phones, tablets, imaging systems, and cameras and smart video systems; universal serial bus flash drives for use in the computing and consumer markets; and wireless drive products used in-field back up of created content, as well as wireless streaming of high-definition movies, photos, music, and documents to tablets, smartphones, and PCs. The company sells its products under the G-Technology, SanDisk, and WD brands to original equipment manufacturers, distributors, dealers, resellers, and retailers. Western Digital Corporation was founded in 1970 and is headquartered in San Jose, California.
How the Company Makes MoneyWestern Digital generates revenue primarily through the sale of its storage devices and solutions. Key revenue streams include the sale of HDDs and SSDs to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), retailers, and directly to consumers. The company also earns revenue from data center solutions, which include enterprise-grade storage systems and cloud storage products. Significant partnerships with major technology companies and cloud service providers contribute to its earnings by ensuring a steady demand for its storage solutions. Additionally, Western Digital invests in research and development to innovate and enhance its product offerings, which helps maintain its competitive edge and drive sales growth.

Western Digital Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Revenue by Segment
Revenue by Segment
Chart Insights
Data provided by:Main Street Data

Western Digital Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Oct 30, 2025
(Q1-2026)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Jan 22, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
Western Digital reported strong financial performance with significant revenue and earnings growth, driven by AI-related demand. The company increased shareholder returns and effectively managed operational efficiencies, despite slightly higher operating expenses. The overall outlook remains positive with continued demand growth and strategic investments.
Q1-2026 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Revenue and Earnings Growth
Western Digital delivered revenue of $2.8 billion, up 27% year-over-year, and non-GAAP earnings per share of $1.78, both exceeding the high end of guidance.
Increased Shareholder Returns
The company significantly increased share repurchases to $553 million and announced a 25% increase in dividend per share to $0.125.
AI-Driven Demand
The rapid adoption of AI is driving robust demand for higher capacity drives, with top customers providing purchase orders extending through 2026 and 2027.
Strong Free Cash Flow Generation
Free cash flow for the quarter was $599 million, reflecting a strong free cash flow margin above 20%.
Positive Gross Margin Performance
Gross margin was 43.9%, up 660 basis points year-over-year, driven by a mix shift towards higher capacity drives and cost control.
Negative Updates
Operating Expenses Slightly Exceeded Guidance
Operating expenses were $381 million, slightly exceeding guidance due to higher variable compensation.
Macroeconomic Uncertainties
The company continues to navigate macroeconomic uncertainties, though specifics were not detailed.
Company Guidance
During the Western Digital First Quarter Fiscal 2026 Earnings Call, the company provided guidance indicating a robust financial performance driven by the expanding demand for data storage solutions due to AI adoption. Western Digital reported a revenue of $2.8 billion, a 27% year-over-year increase, with a non-GAAP gross margin of 43.9% and earnings per share of $1.78. The company highlighted strong free cash flow generation of $599 million and announced a 25% increase in quarterly dividends to $0.125 per share. Looking ahead to the second quarter, Western Digital anticipates revenue growth to approximately $2.9 billion, gross margins between 44% and 45%, and earnings per share of $1.88. The company also detailed its strategic investments and product developments, including the advancement of its HAMR and ePMR technologies, to meet the increasing demand for high-capacity drives fueled by AI and data-driven workloads.

Western Digital Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Western Digital demonstrates a solid financial recovery with strong profitability and cash flow metrics. While revenue growth has faced challenges, the company has effectively managed its margins and cash flows. The balance sheet remains stable, though moderate leverage could pose risks in adverse conditions. Overall, the financial health of Western Digital is improving, positioning it well for future growth.
Income Statement
75
Positive
Western Digital's income statement shows a strong recovery with a significant improvement in gross profit margin to 39.34% and net profit margin to 21.30% in the TTM period. Despite a recent revenue decline of 9.62%, the company has managed to maintain healthy EBIT and EBITDA margins. The overall revenue growth trajectory is positive, indicating a rebound from previous periods of negative growth.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The balance sheet reflects a stable financial position with a manageable debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80 in the TTM period. Return on equity has improved significantly to 35.05%, showcasing effective utilization of equity. However, the equity ratio indicates moderate leverage, suggesting potential risks if market conditions worsen.
Cash Flow
80
Positive
Cash flow analysis reveals robust free cash flow growth of 51.68% in the TTM period, indicating strong cash generation capabilities. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is healthy, and the free cash flow to net income ratio of 0.83 suggests efficient conversion of earnings into cash. These metrics highlight the company's strong cash flow management.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2019Dec 2018
Income Statement
Total Revenue9.52B6.32B6.25B16.57B20.65B
Gross Profit3.69B1.77B1.39B3.75B7.71B
EBITDA1.94B243.00M289.00M1.99B5.89B
Net Income1.86B-798.00M-1.68B-754.00M675.00M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets14.00B24.19B24.55B26.37B29.23B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments2.47B1.55B2.02B3.46B5.00B
Total Debt5.08B7.82B7.07B10.52B11.17B
Total Liabilities8.69B13.37B12.71B16.40B17.70B
Stockholders Equity5.31B10.82B11.84B9.97B11.53B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow1.28B-781.00M-1.22B790.00M3.40B
Operating Cash Flow1.69B-294.00M-408.00M1.55B4.21B
Investing Cash Flow150.00M-27.00M-762.00M-1.27B-1.66B
Financing Cash Flow-1.61B187.00M875.00M-1.83B-3.90B

Western Digital Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price163.60
Price Trends
50DMA
118.09
Positive
100DMA
94.16
Positive
200DMA
70.10
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
12.59
Negative
RSI
73.42
Negative
STOCH
89.79
Negative
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For WDC, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 163.6 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 135.06, above the 50-day MA of 118.09, and above the 200-day MA of 70.10, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 12.59 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 73.42 is Negative, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 89.79 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for WDC.

Western Digital Risk Analysis

Western Digital disclosed 26 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Western Digital reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Western Digital Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
78
Outperform
$54.74B23.3431.48%0.13%-16.35%316.56%
76
Outperform
$31.88B228.6110.04%11.31%-1.30%
72
Outperform
$23.09B20.44123.00%1.83%3.45%9.69%
70
Outperform
$58.89B35.401.08%31.56%106.00%
64
Neutral
$24.98B32.2312.79%12.22%-48.34%
63
Neutral
$24.25B9.444.40%3.11%-3.54%
61
Neutral
$37.18B12.37-10.20%1.83%8.50%-7.62%
* Technology Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
WDC
Western Digital
162.96
112.20
221.04%
HPQ
HP
26.17
-10.03
-27.71%
NTAP
NetApp
113.77
-5.74
-4.80%
STX
Seagate Tech
279.35
179.93
180.98%
SMCI
Super Micro Computer
39.76
16.53
71.16%
PSTG
Pure Storage
90.07
37.45
71.17%

Western Digital Corporate Events

Western Digital’s Earnings Call Highlights Robust Growth
Nov 1, 2025

Western Digital’s recent earnings call painted a picture of robust financial health and strategic foresight, underscored by strong revenue and earnings growth. The sentiment throughout the call was overwhelmingly positive, driven by the company’s ability to capitalize on AI-related demand and enhance shareholder value while maintaining operational efficiency despite slightly elevated operating expenses. The outlook remains optimistic, with continued demand growth and strategic investments paving the way for future success.

Western Digital Reports Strong Q1 2026 Results
Oct 31, 2025

Western Digital Corp. is a leading data storage company that provides innovative solutions for cloud, enterprise, and AI-driven data workloads. The company is known for its cutting-edge technology and commitment to scalable and sustainable storage solutions.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Nov 01, 2025