Whirlpool (NYSE:WHR) Sees Large Volume Increase – What’s Next?

Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE:WHR) shares saw an uptick in trading volume on Wednesday . 3,888,212 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 108% from the previous session’s volume of 1,870,433 shares.The stock last traded at $71.5760 and had previously closed at $71.67.

Whirlpool News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Whirlpool this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Some intraday coverage notes shares rose in parts of the session despite activist pushback, suggesting short‑term buying interest or technical rebounds. Whirlpool shares rise despite activist criticism of equity raise
• Positive Sentiment: Company frames the recapitalization as strategic: Whirlpool says the concurrent offerings will accelerate deleveraging (repay revolver) and fund automation/vertical integration, which could improve long‑term margins if executed. Whirlpool Announces Strategic Recapitalization
• Neutral Sentiment: Offering terms disclosed: upsized concurrent public offerings priced — common stock at $69.00 and depositary shares (1/20th of a mandatory convertible preferred) at $50.00; proceeds ~ $800M. This is a factual capital‑markets event that creates near‑term dilution and longer‑term balance sheet effects. Whirlpool Announces Pricing of Upsized Concurrent Offerings
• Neutral Sentiment: Regulatory backdrop: passage of H.R.4626 (the “Don’t Mess With My Home Appliances Act”) could limit new appliance efficiency mandates — a policy development that may reduce near‑term compliance costs for appliance makers like Whirlpool. Congress Vote: H.R.4626
• Negative Sentiment: High‑profile activists (David Tepper and Appaloosa) sent scathing letters accusing the board of poor judgment and excessive dilution; Tepper publicly called for sweeping changes, increasing governance and campaign‑risk uncertainty. David Tepper sends scathing letter to Whirlpool Appaloosa Sends Letter to Whirlpool Board
• Negative Sentiment: Options market showed heavy bearish activity — put purchases spiked (~6,516 puts, ~75% above average), signaling trader demand for downside protection or a bet on further weakness.
• Negative Sentiment: Market reaction has already been strong: coverage and early trading showed a significant slide after the offering announcement as investors priced in dilution and conversion risk (mandatory convertibles convert into common shares around 2029). Whirlpool slides as investors digest $800M equity-linked capital raise

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms recently issued reports on WHR. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an “underperform” rating on shares of Whirlpool in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on shares of Whirlpool from $78.00 to $76.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Whirlpool from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, November 1st. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Whirlpool from a “sell (d)” rating to a “hold (c-)” rating in a report on Thursday, February 12th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus cut their price objective on Whirlpool from $82.00 to $75.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $85.43.

Whirlpool Stock Performance

The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $81.56 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $80.43. The company has a current ratio of 0.76, a quick ratio of 0.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.06. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.02 billion, a PE ratio of 12.60, a PEG ratio of 1.37 and a beta of 1.25.

Whirlpool (NYSE:WHR) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, January 28th. The company reported $1.10 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.54 by ($0.44). Whirlpool had a net margin of 2.04% and a return on equity of 12.98%. The business had revenue of $4.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.27 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $4.57 EPS. Whirlpool’s revenue for the quarter was down 1.0% on a year-over-year basis. Whirlpool has set its FY 2026 guidance at 7.000-7.000 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Whirlpool Corporation will post 9.52 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Whirlpool Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 26th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 27th will be given a $0.90 dividend. This represents a $3.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 27th. Whirlpool’s dividend payout ratio is 63.72%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans boosted its stake in shares of Whirlpool by 0.8% during the 2nd quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 13,194 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,338,000 after buying an additional 109 shares during the period. Old North State Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in Whirlpool by 5.2% during the fourth quarter. Old North State Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,889 shares of the company’s stock valued at $209,000 after purchasing an additional 143 shares during the last quarter. Hotchkis & Wiley Capital Management LLC grew its stake in Whirlpool by 0.3% in the third quarter. Hotchkis & Wiley Capital Management LLC now owns 52,944 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,161,000 after purchasing an additional 144 shares in the last quarter. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL raised its stake in shares of Whirlpool by 3.0% during the 2nd quarter. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL now owns 5,150 shares of the company’s stock worth $522,000 after purchasing an additional 150 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Creative Planning lifted its holdings in shares of Whirlpool by 1.6% during the 2nd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 9,776 shares of the company’s stock valued at $992,000 after buying an additional 157 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.78% of the company’s stock.

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.