Whirlpool Sees Unusually Large Options Volume (NYSE:WHR)

Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE:WHR) saw some unusual options trading activity on Wednesday. Stock investors purchased 6,516 put options on the company. This is an increase of 75% compared to the typical volume of 3,733 put options.

Whirlpool Stock Down 2.3%

Shares of Whirlpool stock opened at $69.14 on Friday. Whirlpool has a 12-month low of $65.35 and a 12-month high of $111.96. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $81.29 and its 200-day moving average is $80.29. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.91 billion, a PE ratio of 12.24, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 1.25. The company has a quick ratio of 0.40, a current ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.06.

Whirlpool (NYSE:WHR) last issued 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 company had revenue of $4.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.27 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $4.57 EPS. The company’s quarterly revenue was down 1.0% on a year-over-year basis. Whirlpool has set its FY 2026 guidance at 7.000-7.000 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that Whirlpool will post 9.52 earnings per share for the current year.

Whirlpool Announces Dividend

The firm 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 5.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 27th. Whirlpool’s payout ratio is currently 63.72%.

Institutional Trading of Whirlpool

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Flagship Harbor Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Whirlpool during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. grew its stake in Whirlpool by 172.0% in the 4th quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 389 shares of the company’s stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 246 shares during the last quarter. Garton & Associates Financial Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Whirlpool during the fourth quarter worth approximately $35,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Whirlpool by 129.2% during the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 369 shares of the company’s stock worth $37,000 after buying an additional 208 shares in the last quarter. Finally, SBI Securities Co. Ltd. raised its stake in Whirlpool by 113.4% in the 4th quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 527 shares of the company’s stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 280 shares in the last quarter. 90.78% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key Whirlpool News

Here are the key news stories impacting Whirlpool this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Whirlpool will present at the Raymond James Institutional Investors Conference on March 2nd — an opportunity to address investors and clarify strategy. Whirlpool Corporation to Present at Raymond James’ 47th Annual Institutional Investors Conference
• Neutral Sentiment: Trading volume has surged as WHR was active in the Russell 1000 reconstitution, increasing liquidity and visibility. Whirlpool (NYSE:WHR) Volume Surges in Russell 1000
• Neutral Sentiment: Market commentary notes WHR closed near the offering price level, reflecting the market repricing after the corporate actions. Whirlpool (WHR) Falls More Steeply Than Broader Market: What Investors Need to Know
• Negative Sentiment: Whirlpool priced upsized concurrent offerings: ~6.88M common shares at $69 and 10.5M depositary shares (1/20th interest in 8.50% mandatory convertible preferred) — a dilutive raise that pressured the stock. Whirlpool Corporation Announces Pricing of Upsized Concurrent Offerings of Common Stock and Depositary Shares
• Negative Sentiment: Appaloosa (David Tepper) sent a scathing letter accusing the board of destroying shareholder value and demanding sweeping changes — this public activism amplifies selling pressure and governance risk. APPALOOSA SENDS LETTER TO WHIRLPOOL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
• Negative Sentiment: Prominent coverage (CNBC/MarketWatch/others) highlights Tepper’s public criticism and calls for management/board changes, intensifying negative sentiment and volatility. David Tepper sends scathing letter to Whirlpool for destroying shareholder value, pushes for changes
• Negative Sentiment: Options markets showed a spike in put buying (roughly 6,516 puts vs. a typical ~3,733), signalling short-term bearish positioning that can amplify downward moves.
• Negative Sentiment: Markets are also digesting a recent quarterly earnings miss and modest guidance/metrics, which limits near‑term upside as the company executes its recap plan.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

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

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.