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Western Digital Corp. (WDC)
:WDC
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Western Digital (WDC) AI Stock Analysis

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WDC

Western Digital

(NASDAQ:WDC)

Rating:72Outperform
Price Target:
$87.00
▲(15.91% Upside)
Western Digital's overall stock score reflects a strong recovery in financial performance, supported by positive earnings call highlights and strategic corporate changes. However, technical indicators suggest caution due to potential overbought conditions. The valuation is slightly elevated, yet the earnings call and corporate events provide a positive outlook for future growth.
Positive Factors
Cloud Sales Growth
Cloud sales represented 90% of total June quarter sales, up from 87% in the prior quarter.
Financial Performance
Driven by continued strength in datacenter sales, Western Digital posted upside results for the June quarter and guided higher for the September quarter.
Shareholder Returns
The firm announced a quarterly dividend of $0.10/share, and Western Digital’s BOD has also approved a new $2 billion share buyback.
Negative Factors
Cash Position
Cash and cash equivalents were $2.11 billion versus $3.48 billion in the prior quarter.
Debt Management
Debt reduction from partial SNDK share proceeds will continue over the next two quarters, enhancing financial stability.
Valuation Concerns
The analyst highlights a valuation discount of over 20% for Western Digital compared to its competitor, suggesting potential value for investors.

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

Western Digital Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionWestern Digital Corporation (WDC) is a leading global provider of data storage solutions, specializing in hard disk drives (HDDs), solid-state drives (SSDs), and other data storage technologies. The company operates in two primary segments: Client Solutions and Data Center Solutions. Its core products include internal and external drives for personal computers, enterprise storage systems for data centers, and flash storage solutions for various applications, serving a diverse range of markets from consumer electronics to enterprise IT infrastructure.
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 Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jul 30, 2025
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: 5.08%|
Next Earnings Date:Oct 23, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
Western Digital reported robust financial performance in the fiscal fourth quarter of 2025, driven by strong demand in the data center segment and significant debt reduction. The introduction of dividends and share repurchase programs indicates a commitment to returning value to shareholders. However, consumer revenue declined, and there are uncertainties related to tariffs. Overall, the positive elements significantly outweigh the negatives.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Revenue and Profit Growth
Western Digital delivered revenue of $2.6 billion, up 30% year-over-year, with non-GAAP earnings per share of $1.66, up 22% sequentially.
Data Center Demand and Cloud Revenue Surge
Cloud represented 90% of total revenue at $2.3 billion, up 36% year-over-year, driven by strong demand for higher capacity nearline products.
Significant Debt Reduction
Debt was reduced by $2.6 billion, strengthening the balance sheet and achieving a net leverage target range of 1 to 1.5x.
Introduction of Dividends and Share Repurchase Program
Initiated a quarterly cash dividend program and authorized a $2 billion share repurchase program, purchasing nearly $150 million worth of shares.
Growth in Next-Generation HDD Technology
Shipments of latest generation ePMR drives doubled quarter-over-quarter, exceeding 1.7 million units, marking one of the shortest qualification and ramp cycles in company history.
Negative Updates
Consumer Revenue Decline
Consumer revenue represented 5% of total revenue at $136 million, down 12% year-over-year.
Uncertainty in Broader Market Environment
The company acknowledged ongoing uncertainties related to tariffs that could impact future performance, although no immediate impact was observed.
Company Guidance
During Western Digital's Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2025 conference call, the company provided guidance that highlighted a strong financial performance and optimistic outlook. The company achieved a revenue of $2.6 billion, a non-GAAP gross margin of 41.3%, and non-GAAP earnings per share of $1.66, driven by robust demand for high-capacity drives. Shipments of their latest ePMR drives significantly increased, with over 1.7 million units shipped in the June quarter. The company reduced its debt by $2.6 billion, achieving a net leverage ratio of 1 to 1.5x, and initiated a quarterly cash dividend and a $2 billion share repurchase program. For the fiscal first quarter of 2026, Western Digital anticipates revenue growth driven by data center demand, expecting revenue of $2.7 billion, with a gross margin between 41% and 42%, and EPS of $1.54 plus/minus $0.15. The company remains focused on leveraging AI-driven data growth and maintaining a strategic focus on high-capacity drives to support its market position and financial targets.

Western Digital Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Western Digital has demonstrated a significant turnaround in its financial performance, with improved revenue growth, profitability, and cash flow. While the company has stabilized its balance sheet, historical volatility and leverage levels pose some risks. Overall, the financial statements reflect a strong recovery trajectory.
Income Statement
75
Positive
Western Digital's income statement shows a strong recovery in TTM with a revenue growth rate of 2.12% from the previous year and a significant improvement in profitability, evidenced by a gross profit margin of 38.0% and a net profit margin of 14.16%, compared to negative figures in prior periods. The EBIT margin of 22.85% and EBITDA margin of 24.53% in TTM further highlight the company's return to operational efficiency and profitability. However, past volatility and negative margins remain a concern.
Balance Sheet
68
Positive
The balance sheet indicates a moderate risk with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89 in TTM, showing a manageable level of leverage. The return on equity has improved to 35.40% in TTM, reflecting better profitability. However, the equity ratio is 37.92%, suggesting a dependency on liabilities to finance assets. Historical fluctuations in equity and liabilities raise concerns about financial stability.
Cash Flow
72
Positive
Western Digital's cash flow statement shows a strong recovery in TTM with positive free cash flow growth and an operating cash flow to net income ratio of 0.90, indicating strong cash generation relative to earnings. The free cash flow to net income ratio of 0.68 also supports healthy cash conversion. Prior negative cash flows underscore past operational challenges.
BreakdownTTMDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue13.28B9.52B13.00B12.32B18.79B16.92B
Gross Profit5.05B3.69B2.94B1.89B5.87B4.52B
EBITDA1.91B1.91B324.00M-400.00M3.60B2.32B
Net Income1.85B1.64B-798.00M-1.71B1.55B821.00M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets14.00B14.00B24.19B24.43B26.26B26.13B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments2.11B2.11B1.88B2.02B2.33B3.37B
Total Debt4.71B4.71B7.43B7.07B7.02B8.72B
Total Liabilities8.46B8.46B13.14B23.55B14.04B15.41B
Stockholders Equity5.54B5.54B10.82B10.85B12.22B10.72B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow1.28B1.28B-781.00M-1.22B773.00M895.00M
Operating Cash Flow1.69B1.69B-294.00M-408.00M1.88B1.90B
Investing Cash Flow150.00M150.00M-27.00M-762.00M-1.19B-765.00M
Financing Cash Flow-1.61B-1.61B187.00M875.00M-1.72B-817.00M

Western Digital Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price75.06
Price Trends
50DMA
66.42
Positive
100DMA
54.77
Positive
200DMA
51.82
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
2.88
Positive
RSI
62.53
Neutral
STOCH
49.27
Neutral
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 75.06 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 73.17, above the 50-day MA of 66.42, and above the 200-day MA of 51.82, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 2.88 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 62.53 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 49.27 is Neutral, 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
76
Outperform
$21.77B19.17108.51%1.91%5.02%22.19%
76
Outperform
$32.84B22.81-109.27%1.85%38.86%337.22%
72
Outperform
$26.04B15.5625.98%0.13%2.12%
71
Outperform
$27.15B27.3817.90%47.04%-17.89%
71
Outperform
$18.91B157.759.76%10.85%30.85%
65
Neutral
$25.12B10.3184.33%4.28%2.08%-12.41%
61
Neutral
$36.32B7.30-7.27%1.96%7.76%-6.42%
* Technology Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
WDC
Western Digital
75.06
25.96
52.87%
HPQ
HP
26.74
-6.56
-19.70%
NTAP
NetApp
108.79
-20.30
-15.73%
STX
Seagate Tech
154.43
53.30
52.70%
SMCI
Super Micro Computer
45.37
-16.99
-27.25%
PSTG
Pure Storage
58.62
-3.34
-5.39%

Western Digital Corporate Events

Executive/Board ChangesBusiness Operations and Strategy
Western Digital Appoints Kris Sennesael as New CFO
Positive
May 8, 2025

On May 6, 2025, Western Digital‘s Board of Directors appointed Kris Sennesael as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective May 12, 2025. Sennesael, with over 25 years of experience in finance and management in the semiconductor and technology sectors, will lead Western Digital’s global finance organization. His appointment is expected to strengthen the company’s position by balancing investment for innovation and growth with operational efficiency to create sustainable, long-term shareholder value.

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: Aug 01, 2025