Whirlpool (NYSE:WHR) Sees Unusually-High Trading Volume – Time to Buy?

Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE:WHR) shares saw unusually-strong trading volume on Wednesday . Approximately 3,888,212 shares traded hands during mid-day 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.

Trending Headlines about Whirlpool

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on WHR shares. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Whirlpool from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, November 1st. Stifel Nicolaus cut their target price on Whirlpool from $82.00 to $75.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on Whirlpool from $78.00 to $76.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, February 2nd. Weiss Ratings raised Whirlpool from a “sell (d)” rating to a “hold (c-)” rating in a report on Thursday, February 12th. Finally, Zacks Research cut Whirlpool from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, February 9th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $85.43.

Whirlpool Stock Down 0.7%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.06, a current ratio of 0.76 and a quick ratio of 0.40. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.37 and a beta of 1.25. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $81.56 and a 200 day moving average price of $80.43.

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 analyst estimates of $4.27 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $4.57 EPS. The business’s quarterly revenue was down 1.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Whirlpool has set its FY 2026 guidance at 7.000-7.000 EPS. On average, analysts predict that Whirlpool Corporation will post 9.52 earnings per share for the current year.

Whirlpool Dividend Announcement

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

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Whirlpool

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Flagship Harbor Advisors LLC bought a new position in Whirlpool during the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Whirlpool by 129.2% during the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 369 shares of the company’s stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 208 shares during the period. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. increased its position in shares of Whirlpool by 172.0% during the fourth quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 389 shares of the company’s stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 246 shares during the period. Garton & Associates Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Whirlpool in the fourth quarter valued at $35,000. Finally, SBI Securities Co. Ltd. boosted its stake in Whirlpool by 113.4% during the fourth quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 527 shares of the company’s stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 280 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 90.78% of the company’s stock.

Whirlpool Company Profile

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.