All right, time for stop trading. What do you got. You know, I'm focused on tariffs.I mentioned earlier the Amazon Andy Jassie the show talking about but the China tariffs are here. Whirlpool. Okay.The government's decided to back Whirlpool versus foreign companies that make appliances. Whirlpool sells at seven times earnings. The stock can go to 120 in a heartbeat because they are going to have this market to themselves after the tariffs come in.I've been waiting for this industry to be able to rationalize ...

Group 1 - The CEO of Whirlpool, Marc Bitzer, announced significant investments in the U.S. economy and supply chain, emphasizing the attractiveness of manufacturing products in the U.S. due to recent tariffs [1][2] - Whirlpool plans to introduce new products that will impact 30% of its inventory range and is focused on refreshing its sourcing and final production [1] - The company is investing in automation and updating its factories to enhance production capabilities [2][4] Group 2 - Whirlpool's manufacturing is currently operating at 60% capacity, and the CEO highlighted the importance of achieving 70-80% capacity for better profitability [4][5] - The company considers itself a "net winner" in the current market conditions, utilizing 96% American-sourced steel, which is crucial for its operations [6] - Vertical integration is a key focus for Whirlpool, aiming to benefit U.S. factories, products, and consumers [4]

Core Insights - Whirlpool Corporation (WHR) is enhancing customer experience through continuous innovations aimed at making life easier and faster [1] Product Innovations - The company launched the Spin&Load Rack, a 360° spinning dishwasher rack designed for easy use, which reduces physical effort for users [2][11] - The Spin&Load Rack is compatible with all 24-inch WHR dishwashers manufactured after 2018 and features simplified packaging for accessibility [4] - Whirlpool's innovation strategy includes the introduction of the Fresh Flow Vent System in laundry products to combat front-load odor and the Pet Pro Filter in the Maytag Pet Pro Top Load laundry to remove pet hair [6] Market Position and Performance - Whirlpool's commitment to innovation is reflected in its product launches, including KitchenAid's first four-door refrigerator, which offers customizable storage options [7] - Over the past three months, Whirlpool's shares have decreased by 2.5%, slightly underperforming the industry average decline of 2.2% [8]

Company Performance - Whirlpool's stock closed at $91.27, reflecting a -1.91% change from the previous day's closing price, underperforming the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.84% [1] - Over the past month, Whirlpool's shares have appreciated by 12.56%, outperforming the Consumer Discretionary sector's loss of 0% and the S&P 500's gain of 1.44% [1] Upcoming Earnings - The company's earnings report is scheduled for July 28, 2025, with an anticipated EPS of $1.64, indicating a 31.38% decline compared to the same quarter last year [2] - Projected revenue for the upcoming quarter is $3.84 billion, reflecting a 3.8% decrease from the equivalent quarter last year [2] Fiscal Year Estimates - For the entire fiscal year, Zacks Consensus Estimates predict earnings of $8.68 per share and revenue of $15.5 billion, representing changes of -28.91% and -6.7% respectively from the previous year [3] - Recent changes to analyst estimates for Whirlpool may indicate shifting near-term business trends, with positive revisions seen as a favorable sign for the business outlook [3] Valuation Metrics - Whirlpool has a Forward P/E ratio of 10.72, which aligns with the industry average Forward P/E of 10.72 [6] - The Household Appliances industry, part of the Consumer Discretionary sector, holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 193, placing it in the bottom 22% of over 250 industries [6] Zacks Rank System - The Zacks Rank system, which ranges from 1 (Strong Buy) to 5 (Strong Sell), has a strong track record, with stocks rated 1 producing an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [5] - Currently, Whirlpool holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), with the consensus EPS estimate having moved 0.81% higher over the past month [5]

Group 1 - Whirlpool Corporation has appointed Judith K. Buckner to its board of directors, effective immediately [1] - Buckner will serve on the corporate governance and nominating committee and the human resources committee [1] - Marc Bitzer, chairman and CEO of Whirlpool Corporation, expressed excitement about Buckner's appointment, highlighting her leadership and experience in the kitchen category as valuable assets for the company [2] Group 2 - Judith Buckner has extensive experience in the consumer products industry, having served in various roles at Reynolds Consumer Products since 2000, including president of Reynolds Cooking & Baking [2] - Buckner holds a degree in chemical engineering from Purdue University [3] Group 3 - Whirlpool Corporation is a leading home appliance company with approximately $17 billion in annual sales in 2024, with nearly 90% of sales generated in the Americas [4] - The company employs around 44,000 people and operates 40 manufacturing and technology research centers [4] - Whirlpool's brand portfolio includes well-known names such as Whirlpool, KitchenAid, JennAir, Maytag, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, and InSinkErator [4]

Core Viewpoint - Bank of America Securities analyst Rafe Jadrosich upgraded Whirlpool Corporation from Underperform to Neutral, raising the price forecast from $68 to $94 due to improved North American margin prospects and tariff-related benefits [1]. Group 1: Financial Estimates - The analyst increased 2025 earnings estimates to $8.56 from $8.35 and 2026 EPS estimates to $10.33 from $9.39, benefiting from new appliance-related steel tariffs [1]. - Fiscal year 2027 earnings per share were raised to $10.73 from $9.96 [6]. Group 2: Tariff Impact - Whirlpool is well positioned to benefit from new Section 232 tariffs, which will impose a 50% duty on the steel content of imported home appliances starting June 23, as 80% of its U.S. sales are domestically produced and 96% of its steel is U.S.-sourced [3]. - Competitors relying on imports for over half of their U.S. sales, particularly from China and Korea, will face increased costs, reducing their previous cost advantage [4]. Group 3: Competitive Advantage - The tariffs could force competitors to raise wholesale appliance prices by 3–5%, or approximately $15–$20 per unit, potentially giving Whirlpool a competitive edge [5]. - A price increase of $15–$20 on half of Whirlpool's North America volume could boost EBIT margins by 150–200 basis points and raise profits by 20–30% [5]. - With appliance manufacturing being a low-margin business, rivals are expected to pass on costs, allowing Whirlpool to gain market share or expand margins [6].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the performance of Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) stock, which has fluctuated around the $100 level since the last bullish article was published nearly a year ago, with the current trading price being noted [1]. Summary by Relevant Sections - The stock was trading around $102 per share in the previous analysis, and it has since experienced volatility, trading both above and below the $100 mark [1]. - The investment strategy highlighted focuses on strategic buying opportunities, particularly in dividend and value stocks, which has led to a strong reputation on platforms like Tipranks.com and Seeking Alpha [1].

Group 1: Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund - The fund has maintained monthly distributions for over a decade but has not covered its net investment income for the last seven years, leading to a decline in its net asset value (NAV) [2][3] - The fund's NAV currently stands at $11.50, and it has increased leverage to boost investment income, which is not a sustainable strategy [3][4] - The market is pricing the fund at a 28.5% premium to its NAV, indicating a potential mispricing [4] Group 2: Whirlpool - Whirlpool is positioned to benefit from U.S. tariffs and the administration's support for American manufacturing, particularly against Asian competitors [5] - The company faces challenges from a weak housing market, which affects discretionary appliance sales, crucial for its earnings [6] - Whirlpool's annual dividend consumes $390 million in cash, while expected free cash flow (FCF) for 2025 is projected between $500 million and $600 million [9] - The company has $1.85 billion in debt maturing in 2025 and plans to refinance $700 million, but this could be jeopardized if earnings guidance is missed [10] Group 3: UPS - UPS's dividend may be at risk, and cutting it could enhance the company's investment potential [11] - The company initially estimated generating $5.7 billion in FCF while paying $5.5 billion in dividends, but guidance has become uncertain due to economic impacts from tariffs [11][12] - UPS is intentionally reducing lower-margin Amazon delivery volumes, which could further affect its financial outlook [12] - A dividend cut could allow UPS to allocate more earnings towards investments that improve return on equity (RoE) [13][15]

Company Performance - Whirlpool's stock closed at $81.72, reflecting a +0.43% change from the previous day, outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 0.01% [1] - Over the past month, Whirlpool's stock has increased by 6.17%, which is slightly below the Consumer Discretionary sector's gain of 6.65% and above the S&P 500's gain of 5.2% [1] Upcoming Financial Results - Analysts expect Whirlpool to report earnings of $1.73 per share, indicating a year-over-year decline of 27.62% [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenue is projected at $3.84 billion, down 3.8% from the previous year [2] Full Year Projections - For the full year, earnings are projected at $8.61 per share and revenue at $15.5 billion, reflecting declines of -29.48% and -6.7% respectively from the prior year [3] - Recent changes in analyst estimates suggest a shifting business landscape, with positive revisions indicating optimism about Whirlpool's profitability [3] Valuation Metrics - Whirlpool has a Forward P/E ratio of 9.45, which is consistent with the industry average [6] - The Household Appliances industry, part of the Consumer Discretionary sector, currently holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 224, placing it in the bottom 9% of over 250 industries [6] Zacks Rank System - Whirlpool is currently rated as Zacks Rank 4 (Sell), with the consensus EPS estimate remaining unchanged over the last 30 days [5] - The Zacks Rank system has a strong track record, with stocks rated 1 producing an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [5]

Company Performance - Whirlpool's stock closed at $78.62, reflecting a daily increase of 0.61%, outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 0.4% [1] - Over the past month, Whirlpool shares have appreciated by 2.44%, which is lower than the Consumer Discretionary sector's gain of 8.94% and the S&P 500's gain of 6.69% [1] Earnings Projections - The upcoming earnings release is projected to show earnings of $1.73 per share, indicating a year-over-year decline of 27.62% [2] - Revenue for the same quarter is estimated at $3.84 billion, reflecting a 3.8% decrease from the previous year [2] Full Year Estimates - For the full year, earnings are projected at $8.61 per share and revenue at $15.5 billion, representing declines of 29.48% and 6.7% respectively from the prior year [3] - Recent changes in analyst estimates indicate a dynamic business trend, with positive revisions suggesting optimism regarding the company's profitability [3] Zacks Rank and Valuation - Whirlpool currently holds a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell), with the consensus EPS estimate remaining unchanged over the last 30 days [5] - The Forward P/E ratio for Whirlpool is 9.08, which aligns with the industry's average Forward P/E of 9.08 [6] Industry Context - The Household Appliances industry, part of the Consumer Discretionary sector, has a Zacks Industry Rank of 223, placing it in the bottom 10% of over 250 industries [6] - The Zacks Industry Rank indicates that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1 [7]