Analyst Consensus ?
ConsensusBuy59 ratings
Bullish4372.9%
Neutral1525.4%
Bearish11.7%
1 unmapped firm rating excluded from the percentages.
Western Digital Corporation · WDC · FY2026 Q1 · Calendar Q4 2025
Western Digital: AI storage demand supports a stronger HDD outlook
The evidence supports a constructive one-year operating thesis for Western Digital: AI-related data growth, hyperscaler demand, and higher-capacity drive adoption are reinforcing the HDD roadmap. The thesis remains dependent on margin durability, supply execution, and successful HAMR development.
Reported After market closeNASDAQTechnology
$143.14B market cap
100quality score
Earnings scorecard
Reported versus consensus
Reported EPS
$1.78
Consensus $1.59
EPS surprise
+11.9%
Reported versus consensus
Reported revenue
$2.82B
Consensus $2.73B
Revenue surprise
+3.2%
Reported versus consensus
Market reaction
event-close to next-session close
Stock move
+8.7%
Event window
SPY move
+0.3%
Same window
Abnormal move
+8.4%
Stock minus SPY
Volume
2.2×
Versus trailing sessions
Subsequent drift
+8.9%
Up to 20 sessions
WDCSPY benchmark
Ask FN2 about WDC FY2026 Q1
Transcript, numbers and history already loaded
Why did WDC rise 8.7% after beating EPS estimates in FY2026 Q1?What changed in WDC's guidance and outlook in FY2026 Q1?Give me the bull and bear case for WDC after FY2026 Q1 earnings.
Free account. Your question opens in FN2 with this report's transcript and numbers attached.
Transcript intelligence
What changed
The current analysis describes stronger results, accelerating higher-capacity drive shipments, an earlier HAMR qualification timeline, expanded hyperscaler commitments, and increased cash returns. Compared with the prior analysis, the roadmap and demand case appear more advanced, while supply and technology-execution risks remain.
Guidance delta
Maintained; the current analysis indicates continued confidence in the operating outlook.
Key takeaways
- The current analysis points to accelerating AI-driven data growth and demand for higher-capacity HDDs.
- Product execution moved forward, with faster qualification plans and a broader UltraSMR mix highlighted.
- Cash returns, manufacturing productivity, and hyperscaler relationships remain central to the investment case.
- The main counterweights are supply constraints, SSD substitution, and execution risk around HAMR.
Management priorities
- Scale higher-capacity ePMR and UltraSMR products
- Advance HAMR qualification and production readiness
- Expand manufacturing automation and AI productivity tools
- Maintain customer collaboration, cash returns, and product-development investment
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Estimate
Beat
Miss
Match
Analyst 52W Price Targets
$441.64Current
$50Low
$299.61Average
$1,050High
Latest persisted target per named analyst; persisted current price from FN2's market snapshot as of Oct 6, 2026. Not an FN2 forecast.
Firm-level rating actions
FMP grade actions identify the grading firm, not a named analyst.
| Firm | Rating | Prior rating | Action | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citigroup | Buy | Buy | Maintain | Aug 7, 2026 |
| UBS | Neutral | Neutral | Maintain | Aug 6, 2026 |
| TD Cowen | Buy | Buy | Maintain | Aug 6, 2026 |
| Rosenblatt | Buy | Buy | Maintain | Aug 6, 2026 |
| Wells Fargo | Overweight | Overweight | Maintain | Jul 10, 2026 |
| Susquehanna | Neutral | Neutral | Maintain | Jul 8, 2026 |
| B of A Securities | Buy | Buy | Maintain | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Cantor Fitzgerald | Overweight | Overweight | Maintain | Jun 29, 2026 |
| Morgan Stanley | Overweight | Overweight | Maintain | Jun 15, 2026 |
| JP Morgan | Overweight | Overweight | Maintain | Jun 12, 2026 |
| Mizuho | Outperform | Outperform | Maintain | Jun 8, 2026 |
| Barclays | Overweight | Overweight | Maintain | May 27, 2026 |
| Evercore ISI Group | Outperform | Outperform | Maintain | May 26, 2026 |
| Baird | Outperform | Outperform | Maintain | May 4, 2026 |
| Wedbush | Outperform | Outperform | Maintain | Feb 9, 2026 |
| Goldman Sachs | Neutral | Neutral | Maintain | Feb 4, 2026 |
| Loop Capital | Buy | Buy | Maintain | Nov 10, 2025 |
| Benchmark | Buy | Buy | Maintain | Oct 31, 2025 |
| TD Securities | Buy | Buy | Maintain | May 1, 2025 |
| Summit Insights Group | Hold | Buy | Downgrade | Aug 1, 2024 |
| Argus Research | Buy | Buy | Maintain | Apr 29, 2024 |
| Raymond James | Market Perform | Outperform | Downgrade | Apr 22, 2024 |
| Deutsche Bank | Buy | Hold | Upgrade | Jan 16, 2024 |
| Fox Advisors | Overweight | Equal Weight | Upgrade | Oct 31, 2023 |
| Exane BNP Paribas | Outperform | Neutral | Upgrade | Sep 20, 2023 |
| Credit Suisse | Neutral | Neutral | Maintain | May 9, 2023 |
| Craig-Hallum | Buy | Buy | Maintain | Feb 1, 2023 |
| Stifel | Buy | Buy | Maintain | Aug 8, 2022 |
| RBC Capital | Outperform | Outperform | Maintain | Jan 29, 2021 |
| Cleveland Research | Neutral | Underperform | Upgrade | Sep 23, 2020 |
| Bernstein | Outperform | Outperform | Maintain | Jul 15, 2020 |
| CFRA | Hold | Hold | Maintain | May 1, 2020 |
| Stifel Nicolaus | Buy | Hold | Upgrade | Mar 2, 2020 |
| Cascend | Buy | Buy | Maintain | Feb 28, 2020 |
| Longbow Research | Buy | Buy | Maintain | Jan 21, 2020 |
| Cowen & Co. | Outperform | Market Perform | Upgrade | Jan 7, 2020 |
| Bank of America | Buy | Buy | Maintain | Apr 24, 2019 |
| BMO Capital | Market Perform | Market Perform | Maintain | Oct 26, 2018 |
| Standpoint Research | Buy | Hold | Upgrade | Jul 10, 2018 |
| Summit Redstone Partners | Hold | Buy | Downgrade | Jan 26, 2018 |
| Aegis Capital | Buy | Buy | Maintain | Jun 13, 2017 |
| Jefferies | Hold | Buy | Downgrade | May 1, 2017 |
| Guggenheim | Buy | Buy | Maintain | Jan 4, 2017 |
| FBR Capital | Sector Perform | Sector Perform | Maintain | Sep 7, 2016 |
| BTIG Research | Buy | Buy | Maintain | Sep 7, 2016 |
| BTIG | Buy | Buy | Maintain | Sep 7, 2016 |
| Cross Research | Hold | Buy | Downgrade | Jul 29, 2016 |
| Maxim Group | Buy | Neutral | Upgrade | Jun 7, 2016 |
| Brean Capital | Buy | Buy | Maintain | Apr 28, 2016 |
| Pacific Crest | Overweight | Downgrade | Apr 19, 2016 | |
| Summit Research Partners | Buy | Buy | Maintain | Mar 28, 2016 |
| Sterne Agee CRT | Buy | Buy | Maintain | Sep 28, 2015 |
| KeyBanc | Overweight | Overweight | Maintain | Jul 30, 2015 |
| CLSA | Outperform | Underperform | Upgrade | Jul 30, 2015 |
| Rhino Trading | Buy | Buy | Maintain | Jun 16, 2014 |
| S&P Capital IQ | Sell | Hold | Downgrade | Jan 23, 2014 |
| FBN Securities | Perform | Sector Perform | Maintain | Oct 25, 2013 |
| PiperJaffray | Overweight | Overweight | Maintain | Jul 8, 2013 |
| Lazard | Buy | Buy | Maintain | Aug 9, 2012 |
| Bank oferica | Neutral | Neutral | Maintain | Apr 27, 2012 |
Named analyst price targets
Upside is calculated against the persisted current price $441.64. FMP does not supply a rating on these named-analyst rows.
| Firm | Analyst | 52W target | Price when posted | Upside | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morgan Stanley | Analyst unavailable | $676 | $460.47 | +53.1% | Aug 6, 2026 |
| Robert W. Baird | Analyst unavailable | $630 | $466.24 | +42.7% | Aug 6, 2026 |
| Mizuho Securities | Analyst unavailable | $590 | $519.17 | +33.6% | Aug 6, 2026 |
| UBS | Timothy Arcuri | $525 | $519.17 | +18.9% | Aug 6, 2026 |
| UBS | Analyst unavailable | $560 | $558.36 | +26.8% | Jul 13, 2026 |
| Wells Fargo | Aaron Rakers | $730 | $578.05 | +65.3% | Jul 10, 2026 |
| Susquehanna | Mehdi Hosseini | $500 | $550.15 | +13.2% | Jul 8, 2026 |
| Cantor Fitzgerald | Analyst unavailable | $900 | $586.45 | +103.8% | Jun 29, 2026 |
| Melius Research | Analyst unavailable | $1,050 | $586.45 | +137.8% | Jun 29, 2026 |
| Morgan Stanley | Erik Woodring | $650 | $562.92 | +47.2% | Jun 15, 2026 |
| Mizuho Securities | Analyst unavailable | $685 | $511.72 | +55.1% | Jun 8, 2026 |
| Wells Fargo | Aaron Rakers | $575 | $531.21 | +30.2% | Jun 1, 2026 |
| Barclays | Tom O'Malley | $620 | $524.65 | +40.4% | May 27, 2026 |
| Evercore ISI | Analyst unavailable | $575 | $484.28 | +30.2% | May 26, 2026 |
| Jefferies | Analyst unavailable | $575 | $484.28 | +30.2% | May 26, 2026 |
| Mizuho Securities | Vijay Rakesh | $550 | $465.26 | +24.5% | May 6, 2026 |
| Robert W. Baird | Analyst unavailable | $450 | $431.52 | +1.9% | May 4, 2026 |
| Goldman Sachs | Analyst unavailable | $400 | $426.22 | -9.4% | May 1, 2026 |
| Cantor Fitzgerald | Analyst unavailable | $660 | $433.43 | +49.4% | May 1, 2026 |
| Mizuho Securities | Analyst unavailable | $470 | $437.01 | +6.4% | May 1, 2026 |
| Evercore ISI | Analyst unavailable | $500 | $442.69 | +13.2% | May 1, 2026 |
| UBS | Analyst unavailable | $375 | $434.52 | -15.1% | May 1, 2026 |
| Wells Fargo | Aaron Rakers | $500 | $434.52 | +13.2% | May 1, 2026 |
| Morgan Stanley | Analyst unavailable | $488 | $434.52 | +10.5% | May 1, 2026 |
| Barclays | Tom O'Malley | $450 | $434.52 | +1.9% | May 1, 2026 |
| UBS | Analyst unavailable | $500 | $404 | +13.2% | Apr 27, 2026 |
| UBS | Timothy Arcuri | $350 | $374.11 | -20.7% | Apr 21, 2026 |
| Evercore ISI | Analyst unavailable | $410 | $367.42 | -7.2% | Apr 20, 2026 |
| Evercore ISI | Analyst unavailable | $378 | $338.78 | -14.4% | Apr 8, 2026 |
| Susquehanna | Mehdi Hosseini | $285 | $260.19 | -35.5% | Feb 6, 2026 |
| Mizuho Securities | Analyst unavailable | $340 | $290.24 | -23.0% | Feb 4, 2026 |
| New Street | Analyst unavailable | $250 | $290.24 | -43.4% | Feb 3, 2026 |
| Goldman Sachs | James Schneider | $250 | $290.24 | -43.4% | Feb 3, 2026 |
| Truist Financial | Analyst unavailable | $310 | $287.39 | -29.8% | Feb 3, 2026 |
| Argus Research | Jim Kelleher | $300 | $295 | -32.1% | Feb 3, 2026 |
| Robert W. Baird | Analyst unavailable | $310 | $259.94 | -29.8% | Feb 2, 2026 |
| Mizuho Securities | Analyst unavailable | $325 | $278.41 | -26.4% | Jan 30, 2026 |
| UBS | Analyst unavailable | $306 | $278.41 | -30.7% | Jan 30, 2026 |
| Cantor Fitzgerald | Analyst unavailable | $325 | $278.41 | -26.4% | Jan 30, 2026 |
| UBS | Analyst unavailable | $285 | $278.41 | -35.5% | Jan 30, 2026 |
| Barclays | Tom O'Malley | $325 | $278.41 | -26.4% | Jan 30, 2026 |
| Morgan Stanley | Erik Woodring | $306 | $278.41 | -30.7% | Jan 30, 2026 |
| Goldman Sachs | James Schneider | $220 | $278.41 | -50.2% | Jan 30, 2026 |
| Mizuho Securities | Analyst unavailable | $265 | $240.85 | -40.0% | Jan 27, 2026 |
| Morgan Stanley | Analyst unavailable | $260 | $235.29 | -41.1% | Jan 22, 2026 |
| UBS | Analyst unavailable | $230 | $221.51 | -47.9% | Jan 20, 2026 |
| Evercore ISI | Analyst unavailable | $230 | $221.51 | -47.9% | Jan 16, 2026 |
| Susquehanna | Analyst unavailable | $205 | $222.1 | -53.6% | Jan 16, 2026 |
| Barclays | Tom O'Malley | $240 | $215 | -45.7% | Jan 15, 2026 |
| Wells Fargo | Aaron Rakers | $260 | $215 | -41.1% | Jan 15, 2026 |
| Goldman Sachs | James Schneider | $165 | $187.68 | -62.6% | Jan 9, 2026 |
| Mizuho Securities | Analyst unavailable | $240 | $187.68 | -45.7% | Jan 9, 2026 |
| Morgan Stanley | Analyst unavailable | $228 | $174.58 | -48.4% | Dec 17, 2025 |
| Mizuho Securities | Vijay Rakesh | $180 | $174.58 | -59.2% | Dec 17, 2025 |
| Cantor Fitzgerald | Analyst unavailable | $250 | $173.98 | -43.4% | Dec 16, 2025 |
| Susquehanna | Analyst unavailable | $135 | $163.12 | -69.4% | Nov 6, 2025 |
| Goldman Sachs | Analyst unavailable | $148 | $144.68 | -66.5% | Oct 31, 2025 |
| Cantor Fitzgerald | Analyst unavailable | $200 | $147.41 | -54.7% | Oct 31, 2025 |
| Robert W. Baird | Tristan Gerra | $180 | $155.17 | -59.2% | Oct 31, 2025 |
| Wells Fargo | Analyst unavailable | $180 | $138.13 | -59.2% | Oct 31, 2025 |
| UBS | Munjal Shah | $145 | $138.13 | -67.2% | Oct 31, 2025 |
| Barclays | Tom O'Malley | $200 | $138.13 | -54.7% | Oct 31, 2025 |
| UBS | Timothy Arcuri | $135 | $126.2 | -69.4% | Oct 20, 2025 |
| Mizuho Securities | Analyst unavailable | $160 | $125.92 | -63.8% | Oct 17, 2025 |
| Evercore ISI | Analyst unavailable | $190 | $115.42 | -57.0% | Oct 13, 2025 |
| Wells Fargo | Analyst unavailable | $150 | $115.42 | -66.0% | Oct 13, 2025 |
| Morgan Stanley | Analyst unavailable | $171 | $106.88 | -61.3% | Sep 29, 2025 |
| Wells Fargo | Analyst unavailable | $95 | $74.25 | -78.5% | Jul 31, 2025 |
| Barclays | Tom O'Malley | $50 | $43.95 | -88.7% | May 1, 2025 |
| Cantor Fitzgerald | Analyst unavailable | $65 | $41.7 | -85.3% | Mar 7, 2025 |
| Mizuho Securities | Vijay Rakesh | $82 | $63.26 | -81.4% | Jan 3, 2025 |
| Citigroup | Asiya Merchant | $85 | $62.61 | -80.8% | Sep 10, 2024 |
| Evercore ISI | Amit Daryanani | $85 | $61.51 | -80.8% | Aug 15, 2024 |
| Susquehanna | Mehdi Hosseini | $88 | $77.1 | -80.1% | Jun 11, 2024 |
| Mizuho Securities | Vijay Rakesh | $90 | $75.51 | -79.6% | May 31, 2024 |
| Argus Research | Jim Kelleher | $88 | $69.74 | -80.1% | Apr 29, 2024 |
| Goldman Sachs | Toshiya Hari | $76 | $73.9 | -82.8% | Apr 12, 2024 |
| Susquehanna | Mehdi Hosseini | $83 | $72.65 | -81.2% | Apr 10, 2024 |
| Mizuho Securities | Vijay Rakesh | $80 | $72.95 | -81.9% | Apr 9, 2024 |
| Rosenblatt Securities | Kevin Cassidy | $115 | $70.54 | -74.0% | Apr 5, 2024 |
| Evercore ISI | Amit Daryanani | $80 | $68.15 | -81.9% | Mar 26, 2024 |
| Barclays | Tim Long | $65 | $52.23 | -85.3% | Jan 16, 2024 |
| Deutsche Bank | Sidney Ho | $65 | $52.23 | -85.3% | Jan 16, 2024 |
| Rosenblatt Securities | Kevin Cassidy | $38 | $38.97 | -91.4% | Oct 30, 2023 |
| Mizuho Securities | Vijay Rakesh | $45 | $42.58 | -89.8% | Aug 1, 2023 |
| Susquehanna | Mehdi Hosseini | $38 | $32.98 | -91.4% | May 9, 2023 |
| Craig-Hallum | Analyst unavailable | $60 | $42.44 | -86.4% | Feb 1, 2023 |
| Goldman Sachs | Analyst unavailable | $31 | $35.83 | -93.0% | Dec 15, 2022 |
| Mizuho Securities | Vijay Rakesh | $38 | $36.03 | -91.4% | Nov 29, 2022 |
| Craig-Hallum | Craig Hallum Craig-Hallum | $50 | $33.72 | -88.7% | Oct 17, 2022 |
| Wells Fargo | Aaron Rakers | $75 | $35.03 | -83.0% | Sep 21, 2022 |
| Mizuho Securities | Vijay Rakesh | $40 | $35.54 | -90.9% | Sep 21, 2022 |
| Rosenblatt Securities | Kevin Cassidy | $35 | $37.03 | -92.1% | Sep 16, 2022 |
| Rosenblatt Securities | Kevin Cassidy | $45 | $47.97 | -89.8% | Aug 8, 2022 |
| Citigroup | Analyst unavailable | $60 | $47.09 | -86.4% | Aug 8, 2022 |
| Stifel Nicolaus | Analyst unavailable | $70 | $47.09 | -84.1% | Aug 8, 2022 |
| Deutsche Bank | Sidney Ho | $64 | $47.72 | -85.5% | Jul 27, 2022 |
| Mizuho Securities | Vijay Rakesh | $68 | $45.43 | -84.6% | Jun 29, 2022 |
| Deutsche Bank | Sidney Ho | $63 | $49.24 | -85.7% | Apr 25, 2022 |
| Wells Fargo | Analyst unavailable | $70 | $48.55 | -84.1% | Apr 19, 2022 |
| Stifel Nicolaus | Patrick Ho | $85 | $46.34 | -80.8% | Apr 16, 2022 |
| Susquehanna | Mehdi Hosseini | $65 | $46.34 | -85.3% | Apr 14, 2022 |
| Goldman Sachs | Toshiya Hari | $52 | $45.3 | -88.2% | Mar 12, 2022 |
| Citigroup | Jim Suva | $75 | $49.9 | -83.0% | Jan 28, 2022 |
| Cowen & Co. | Karl Ackerman | $60 | $49.9 | -86.4% | Jan 28, 2022 |
| Barclays | Thomas O'Malley | $60 | $49.9 | -86.4% | Jan 28, 2022 |
| Evercore ISI | C J Muse | $75 | $55.73 | -83.0% | Dec 13, 2021 |
| Bank of America Securities | Wamsi Mohan | $77 | $52.29 | -82.6% | Oct 29, 2021 |
| Wedbush | Matt Bryson | $70 | $52.29 | -84.1% | Oct 29, 2021 |
| Wells Fargo | Aaron Rakers | $80 | $52.29 | -81.9% | Oct 29, 2021 |
| Robert W. Baird | Tristan Gerra | $75 | $52.29 | -83.0% | Oct 29, 2021 |
| Fox Advisors | Steven Fox | $85 | $68.76 | -80.8% | Aug 6, 2021 |
| Craig-Hallum | Christian Schwab | $101 | $67.07 | -77.1% | Aug 5, 2021 |
| J.P. Morgan | Harlan Sur | $88 | $67.07 | -80.1% | Aug 5, 2021 |
| Argus Research | Jim Kelleher | $84 | $67.28 | -81.0% | May 4, 2021 |
Track every rating change on WDC the moment it posts. Free to start.
Start freeCompany context
Snapshot as of publicationWestern Digital Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets a broad range of data storage devices and software solutions across the United States, China, Hong Kong, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the rest of Asia, serving an international market. The company's product lineup includes client devices such as hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid-state drives (SSDs) for computing platforms like desktops, notebooks, smart video systems, gaming consoles, and set-top boxes. They also provide flash-based embedded storage solutions for mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and various portable and wearable technologies, extending into automotive, Internet of Things (IoT), industrial, and connected home applications. Additionally, Western Digital produces flash-based memory wafers.…
Historical context
All WDC earningsTechnology peers this season
Latest reports in the same sector| Company | Quarter | EPS surprise | Market move | Headline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACN Accenture plc | FY2026 Q4 · Calendar Q4 2026 | +3.5% | +15.8% | Accenture: AI demand supports strong Q4, while pricing and geopolitics remain risks |
| JBL Jabil Inc. | FY2026 Q4 · Calendar Q3 2026 | +8.1% | -10.0% | Jabil enters FY2027 with AI-led growth and capacity risks |
| MU Micron Technology, Inc. | FY2026 Q4 · Calendar Q3 2026 | +5.4% | +0.0% | Micron: Strong AI Memory Demand, Higher Capex, and HBM4E Ahead |
| SNX TD Synnex Corp | FY2026 Q3 · Calendar Q3 2026 | +20.9% | -9.9% | TD SYNNEX: AI-led growth accelerates, but mix and cash flow matter |
| ADBE Adobe Inc. | FY2026 Q3 · Calendar Q3 2026 | +0.8% | +1.4% | Adobe raises FY26 outlook as AI strategy broadens |
| ORCL Oracle Corporation | FY2027 Q1 · Calendar Q3 2026 | +10.3% | -1.7% | Oracle raises FY27 outlook as AI demand accelerates cloud growth |
Latest beats and misses
Who reports nextBeat on EPS
- ACNFY2026 Q4 · October 1, 2026+3.5% EPS+15.8% move
- MKCFY2026 Q3 · October 1, 2026+13.9% EPS-4.9% move
- NKEFY2027 Q1 · October 1, 2026+10.0% EPS-0.7% move
- CAGFY2027 Q1 · September 30, 2026+44.4% EPS-4.9% move
- FDSFY2026 Q4 · September 30, 2026+3.9% EPS+3.8% move
- JBLFY2026 Q4 · September 30, 2026+8.1% EPS-10.0% move
Get the WDC recap when the next report posts
One email per quarter with the scorecard, the market reaction and what changed on the call. No account needed.
Sources
- Earnings call transcript and parsed analysis · 2026-05-11T10:29:34.698584+00:00
- FN2 earnings calendar · 2026-07-26T00:37:12.209961+00:00
- Polygon adjusted daily market bars · 2026-10-06T00:40:45.663122+00:00
- Financial Modeling Prep analyst price-target consensus and quote snapshot · 2026-10-06T00:40:45.659878+00:00
Methodology
Reported and consensus figures come from FN2's earnings event records. Market reaction and volume are calculated from daily adjusted bars around the event; abnormal move subtracts the SPY move over the same window.
Analyst target low, average, and high values are derived at request time from each named analyst's latest persisted FMP target. The current-price marker comes from FN2's persisted market snapshot. They are sell-side estimates, not an FN2 valuation or recommendation.
Transcript intelligence is a structured synthesis of the current and prior earnings-call analyses. Missing values stay missing and are never estimated.
By FN2 Research · Updated · As of 2026-10-06. For educational purposes only; not investment advice.