Western Digital (WDC) Surges 16.8%: Is This an Indication of Further Gains?

Core Insights - Western Digital's shares surged 16.8% to $219.38, reflecting strong trading volume and a 10.7% gain over the past month [1][2] Company Performance - The company is experiencing robust demand for higher-capacity nearline storage, with shipments reaching 204 exabytes, a 23% increase, driven by ePMR products [2] - For Q2 fiscal 2026, Western Digital anticipates revenues of $2.9 billion (+/- $100 million), representing a 20% increase, supported by strong data center demand [4] - The expected quarterly earnings per share (EPS) is $1.92, reflecting an 8.5% year-over-year increase, while revenues are projected at $2.91 billion, down 32% from the previous year [5] Industry Outlook - The rise of agentic AI is expected to accelerate long-term data creation, enhancing demand for storage solutions [3] - Positive industry sentiment has been bolstered by favorable commentary from Nvidia's CEO, indicating a strong outlook for the memory and storage market [3] - Western Digital's consensus EPS estimate has been revised slightly higher, suggesting potential price appreciation in the near term [7]