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Whirlpool Slashes Outlook and Halts Dividend as U.S. Appliance Demand Hits 'Recession-Level' Lows

The company frames the slump as proof that energy shocks together with tariff policy are squeezing big‑ticket purchases.

Overview

  • Whirlpool shares fell about 20% in premarket trading Thursday after a steep first‑quarter miss and a warning on collapsing demand.
  • Revenue slipped nearly 10% to $3.27 billion with an adjusted loss of $1.43 per share and a GAAP net loss of about $85 million.
  • Management cut full‑year earnings guidance to $3.00 to $3.50 per share and suspended the dividend to prioritize more than $900 million of debt reduction in 2026.
  • Executives cited a collapse in consumer confidence tied to the Iran war’s fuel‑price spike and said a Supreme Court tariff ruling triggered heavy discounting by rivals.
  • To restore margins, the company raised list prices by 10% in April and plans another 4% increase in July while accelerating over $150 million in structural cost cuts.