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Western Digital (WDC)
NASDAQ:WDC

Western Digital (WDC) AI Stock Analysis

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WDC

Western Digital

(NASDAQ:WDC)

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Outperform 79 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:79Outperform
Price Target:
$321.00
▲(13.73% Upside)
Action:ReiteratedDate:02/25/26
The score is driven by strong technical momentum and a clear fundamental recovery in profitability and cash generation, reinforced by upbeat guidance and margin expansion commentary on the earnings call. Offsetting factors are valuation that is not cheap on P/E and business risks tied to cyclicality, revenue softness, and high hyperscaler concentration (plus HAMR execution timing).
Positive Factors
Improved cash generation
Western Digital's shift to sustained positive operating and free cash flow (high-teens/20%+ FCF margin) materially improves financial flexibility. Durable cash generation supports ongoing R&D, HAMR qualification costs, modest capex (4–6% run‑rate) and consistent capital returns without dependence on cyclical financing.
Scale & technology adoption
Rapid exabyte growth and conversion to higher‑density ePMR/UltraSMR increase cost per terabyte competitiveness and customer lock‑in. Higher capacity mix is structural: it raises effective ASPs per unit, lowers cost/TB, and solidifies Western Digital's position supplying hyperscalers over the next several years.
Capital structure simplification
Redeeming senior notes and converting/eliminating preferred shares reduces future interest, collateral and structural complexity. With net leverage below 1x and $3.2B liquidity, the company gains durable financial flexibility to fund HAMR scaling, sustain buybacks/dividends, and withstand cyclical downturns.
Negative Factors
Customer concentration
Reliance on hyperscalers for nearly nine‑tenths of revenue creates persistent revenue concentration risk. A small set of customers wields pricing and volume leverage, making Western Digital structurally exposed to contract renegotiations, capex cadence shifts and large single‑counterparty demand swings over quarters and years.
Top-line cyclicality
Despite margins and earnings recovering, trailing revenue contraction signals enduring cyclicality in HDD/NAND end markets. Durable margin gains can reverse if volume or ASPs fall; inconsistent top‑line trend reduces predictability of earnings, cash conversion and makes capex planning and HAMR rollouts riskier.
HAMR timing & execution risk
HAMR is strategic for next‑gen nearline capacity but remains in qualification with multi‑year ramp plans. Execution delays or higher-than-expected costs would impair long‑term competitiveness on cost/TB and could force extended pre‑ramp investments, weakening returns and exposing the company to faster technology shifts by peers.

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 data storage products, which include HDDs, SSDs, and other storage solutions. The company has a diversified revenue model with key streams coming from both Client Solutions and Data Center Solutions. Client Solutions revenue is driven by sales of consumer-oriented storage products, such as external drives and internal SSDs for laptops and desktops. Data Center Solutions revenue is primarily derived from sales of high-capacity storage systems and solutions tailored for enterprise customers and cloud data centers. Additionally, Western Digital benefits from strategic partnerships with major technology firms and cloud service providers, which helps expand its market reach and solidify its presence in emerging markets. The company's ongoing investment in research and development also plays a crucial role in driving innovation, allowing it to maintain competitive pricing and product differentiation, further contributing to its earnings.

Western Digital Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Revenue by Geography
Revenue by Geography
Breaks down revenue across different regions, revealing where the company is strongest and where it may face risk or growth potential due to local economic conditions or market share shifts.
Chart InsightsWestern Digital's revenue from the Americas and Asia has rebounded significantly after a dip in 2023, driven by strong AI-related demand for data storage solutions. The latest earnings call highlights a 27% year-over-year revenue increase, underscoring strategic investments in high-capacity drives. Despite macroeconomic uncertainties, the company anticipates continued growth, supported by robust purchase orders extending through 2027. The EMEA region shows a similar recovery trend, reflecting the overall positive outlook and effective operational efficiencies.
Data provided by:The Fly

Western Digital Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jan 29, 2026
(Q2-2026)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Apr 23, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The call presented a strong operational and financial quarter with robust revenue and EPS outperformance, substantial exabyte growth, expanding gross margins, significant free cash flow and strengthened customer contracts. Key growth drivers include rapid ePMR/UltraSMR adoption, HAMR qualification progress and high cloud demand. Principal risks noted were the still-to-ramp HAMR program (timing/execution risk), concentrated cloud exposure (89% of revenue), a small decline in consumer revenue, and remaining SanDisk shares and debt that management plans to monetize or reduce. On balance, positive metrics, margin expansion and strong cash generation materially outweigh the disclosed risks.
Q2-2026 Updates
Positive Updates
Revenue and EPS Outperformance
Revenue of $3.0 billion, up 25% year-over-year; non-GAAP diluted EPS of $2.13, up 78% year-over-year. Both revenue and EPS finished above the high end of guidance.
Strong Exabyte Shipments and ePMR Adoption
Delivered 215 exabytes in the quarter, up 22% year-over-year. Shipped over 3.5 million units of latest-generation ePMR drives (≈103 exabytes) with capacity points up to 32 TB UltraSMR, demonstrating broad customer adoption.
Cloud Revenue Expansion
Cloud represented 89% of total revenue at $2.7 billion, up 28% year-over-year, driving the majority of bit and revenue growth.
Margin Improvement and Cost Reductions
Gross margin was 46.1%, an improvement of 770 basis points year-over-year and 220 basis points sequentially. Management cited ~75% incremental gross margin and reported cost-per-terabyte down roughly 10% year-over-year. Q3 gross margin guidance is 47%–48%.
Operating Profitability and Cash Generation
Operating income was just above $1.0 billion (operating margin 33.8%). Operating cash flow was $745 million, capital expenditures were $92 million, and free cash flow was $653 million (free cash flow margin 21.6%).
Balance Sheet and Capital Return Activity
Cash and cash equivalents of $2.0 billion and total liquidity of $3.2 billion. Debt outstanding $4.7 billion with net debt $2.7 billion and net leverage well below 1x. Returned $1.4 billion to shareholders since program launch via buybacks and dividends; repurchased $615 million (3.8M shares) in the quarter and Board approved quarterly dividend of $0.125 per share.
Customer Contract Visibility and LTAs
Firm purchase orders with top seven customers through calendar 2026. Robust commercial agreements/long-term agreements in place with three of top five customers (two through 2027, one through 2028), providing visibility into exabyte demand.
Technology Progress — HAMR, ePMR and UltraSMR
Started qualification of HAMR and next-generation ePMR drives with hyperscale customers (HAMR qualification initiated this month). Nearline portfolio crossed 50% UltraSMR mix; UltraSMR provides +20% capacity vs CMR and +10% vs industry SMR. Launched UltraSMR-enabled JBOD platforms and acquired IP/talent to advance internal laser capabilities for HAMR.
Positive Near-Term Guidance
Q3 revenue guidance of $3.2 billion ± $100 million (midpoint implies ≈40% year-over-year growth). Q3 gross margin guidance of 47%–48% and non-GAAP EPS guidance $2.30 ± $0.15.
Negative Updates
Consumer Revenue Decline
Consumer revenue was $168 million, down 3% year-over-year, marking weakness in the small consumer segment versus strength in cloud and client.
HAMR Not Yet Ramped — Timing and Execution Risk
HAMR is in qualification (started this month) but has not ramped to volume; expected broader ramp activity targeted for calendar 2027. Continued R&D and pre-ramp investments persist and the ramp timing presents execution risk.
High Customer Concentration
Cloud/hyperscalers account for 89% of revenue, concentrating exposure to a small set of large customers and increasing sensitivity to hyperscaler demand dynamics and contract negotiations.
Remaining SanDisk Shares to Monetize
Company still holds 7.5 million SanDisk shares which it intends to monetize before the one-year anniversary; planned monetization (debt-for-equity swap) indicates reliance on the transaction to further reduce debt and adjust capital structure.
Notable Debt Outstanding
Debt outstanding of $4.7 billion and net debt of $2.7 billion remain on the balance sheet despite leverage described as well below 1x; servicing and timing of debt reduction remain points of investor attention.
Some Strategic Details Remain Confidential
Terms of the acquired laser-related IP and other strategic transactions are confidential, limiting investor visibility into costs, timing and expected benefits from those investments until further disclosure.
Company Guidance
Western Digital guided fiscal Q3 revenue of $3.2 billion ± $100 million (midpoint ~40% YoY growth), gross margin of 47%–48% (47.5% midpoint), operating expenses of $380–$390 million, interest and other expense of ~$50 million, an effective tax rate of ~16%, and non‑GAAP diluted EPS of $2.30 ± $0.15 based on ~385 million diluted shares; management also reiterated planned HAMR ramp starting in calendar 2027, expected run‑rate CapEx of ~4%–6% of revenue, and affirmed capital returns (quarterly dividend $0.125 payable Mar 18 and ongoing repurchases under the $2 billion program).

Western Digital Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Financials show a clear cyclical rebound with sharply improved profitability and solid TTM operating/free cash flow versus 2023–2024 losses. Key offsets are declining TTM revenue (weaker top-line momentum), historically volatile returns across the cycle, and reduced equity cushion despite manageable leverage.
Income Statement
74
Positive
Profitability has rebounded sharply, with TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) showing strong gross and net margins and solid operating profitability versus the losses in 2023–2024. The latest annual period (2025) also reflects a meaningful recovery from 2024’s downturn. The key weakness is top-line momentum: TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) revenue is down (negative growth), highlighting ongoing cyclicality and potential volatility in demand despite improved earnings power.
Balance Sheet
63
Positive
Leverage looks manageable with debt under equity in both TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) and 2025, and the TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) reduction in total debt versus 2025 is constructive. Returns on equity are very strong in TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) and 2025, indicating a powerful earnings recovery. However, the business has shown material swings in profitability (negative returns in 2023–2024), and equity has declined versus 2024, which reduces balance-sheet cushion if the cycle turns.
Cash Flow
70
Positive
Cash generation has improved meaningfully: TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) operating and free cash flow are solid and free cash flow growth is strong, a major reversal from the negative cash flow years in 2023–2024. Free cash flow is also fairly well supported by earnings in TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months). The main watch-out is that operating cash flow is not especially high relative to operating profit in recent periods, suggesting working-capital or timing effects that could make cash conversion uneven.
BreakdownTTMJun 2025Jun 2024Jun 2023Jun 2022Jun 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue10.73B9.52B6.32B6.25B18.79B16.92B
Gross Profit4.59B3.69B1.77B1.39B5.87B4.52B
EBITDA4.32B1.94B243.00M289.00M3.40B2.46B
Net Income3.81B1.86B-798.00M-1.68B1.55B821.00M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets15.61B14.00B24.19B24.55B26.26B26.13B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments1.98B2.47B1.55B2.02B2.33B3.37B
Total Debt4.66B5.08B7.82B8.47B7.62B8.72B
Total Liabilities8.27B8.69B13.37B13.58B14.04B15.41B
Stockholders Equity7.34B5.31B10.82B10.96B12.22B10.72B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow2.31B1.28B-781.00M-1.22B773.00M895.00M
Operating Cash Flow2.67B1.69B-294.00M-408.00M1.88B1.90B
Investing Cash Flow-101.00M150.00M-27.00M-762.00M-1.19B-765.00M
Financing Cash Flow-2.89B-1.61B187.00M875.00M-1.72B-817.00M

Western Digital Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price282.25
Price Trends
50DMA
233.26
Positive
100DMA
189.87
Positive
200DMA
131.65
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
13.91
Positive
RSI
56.20
Neutral
STOCH
34.15
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 282.25 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 278.22, above the 50-day MA of 233.26, and above the 200-day MA of 131.65, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 13.91 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 56.20 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 34.15 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
79
Outperform
$91.73B27.1641.27%0.18%-16.35%316.56%
72
Outperform
$19.78B17.38125.35%1.89%2.64%4.12%
72
Outperform
$22.36B194.199.27%13.18%-0.92%
70
Outperform
$86.36B44.781.02%31.56%106.00%
61
Neutral
$37.18B12.37-10.20%1.83%8.50%-7.62%
58
Neutral
$18.65B24.9513.19%12.22%-48.34%
57
Neutral
$16.71B6.875.09%4.09%-5.77%
* Technology Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
WDC
Western Digital
282.25
233.51
479.09%
HPQ
HP
18.81
-10.75
-36.37%
NTAP
NetApp
99.14
1.35
1.38%
STX
Seagate Tech
409.67
309.70
309.79%
SMCI
Super Micro Computer
32.28
-9.18
-22.14%
PSTG
Pure Storage
65.98
13.51
25.75%

Western Digital Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyRegulatory Filings and Compliance
Western Digital Simplifies Capital Structure After Preferred Elimination
Positive
Feb 24, 2026

On February 24, 2026, Western Digital eliminated its Series A Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock by filing a Certificate of Elimination in Delaware, following the mandatory conversion of all outstanding preferred shares on February 17, 2026, returning them to authorized but unissued status and simplifying its capital structure. On February 13, 2026, the company also initiated and completed a full redemption of its 2.850% Senior Notes due 2029 and 3.100% Senior Notes due 2032, including release of related security interests after certain debt repayments on February 19 and funding of the redemption price on February 23, 2026, further streamlining its balance sheet and potentially reducing future interest and collateral obligations.

The most recent analyst rating on (WDC) stock is a Buy with a $337.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Western Digital stock, see the WDC Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and Strategy
Western Digital Converts Preferred Shares, Simplifying Capital Structure
Neutral
Feb 18, 2026

Western Digital Corporation, which previously issued Series A Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock in a private placement that closed on January 31, 2023, has exercised its option to convert this preferred equity into common stock. The move follows terms set in its Certificate of Designations, which allowed a mandatory conversion once specific trading price conditions were met after the three-year anniversary of the closing.

On February 17, 2026, the company converted all outstanding shares of the Series A preferred stock into common stock in accordance with those provisions. The transaction simplifies Western Digital’s capital structure by eliminating the preferred class, a step that may have implications for existing common shareholders and future financing flexibility.

The most recent analyst rating on (WDC) stock is a Buy with a $321.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Western Digital stock, see the WDC Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyPrivate Placements and Financing
Western Digital Completes Redemption of 2026 Senior Notes
Positive
Feb 9, 2026

On January 5, 2026, Western Digital Corporation announced a conditional redemption of the entire outstanding principal amount of its 4.750% Senior Notes due 2026, with a formal conditional notice delivered to noteholders by the trustee on January 6, 2026. On February 5, 2026, the company deposited sufficient funds with the trustee to cover the full redemption price and accrued interest, thereby satisfying and discharging all obligations under the indenture and releasing the guarantors from their related commitments.

This transaction effectively eliminates the 4.750% Senior Notes due 2026 from Western Digital’s capital structure, simplifying its debt profile and removing associated guarantee obligations from its balance sheet. The completion of the redemption on February 5, 2026, marks a key step in the company’s ongoing management of its liabilities, with implications for its financial flexibility, interest expense profile, and the rights and obligations of holders of the redeemed notes.

The most recent analyst rating on (WDC) stock is a Buy with a $375.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Western Digital stock, see the WDC Stock Forecast page.

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: Feb 25, 2026