Western Digital's Q2 Earnings on Deck: Is the Stock Worth Buying Now?

Core Viewpoint - Western Digital Corporation (WDC) is expected to report second-quarter fiscal 2026 results on January 29, with earnings projected to rise by 9.6% year-over-year, while revenues are anticipated to decline by 31% compared to the prior year [2][3]. Financial Performance - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is $1.94, with management projecting non-GAAP earnings of $1.88 (+/- 15 cents) [2][3]. - Revenue estimates are pegged at $2.95 billion, with a mid-point guidance of $2.9 billion (+/- $100 million), indicating a 20% year-over-year growth [3][8]. - WDC has consistently surpassed earnings estimates in the past four quarters, with an average surprise of 9.18% [3][4]. Earnings Expectations - WDC has an Earnings ESP of +1.93% and a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy), indicating a high probability of an earnings beat [5][6]. - The company expects non-GAAP gross margin to be between 44% and 45%, with operating expenses projected to decline to $365 million–$375 million [7][8]. Growth Drivers - WDC's focus on innovation and operational discipline positions it well to benefit from the AI-driven increase in data creation and storage demand [6][9]. - The company is making progress on Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR) technology, with qualifications expected to begin with hyperscale customers in 2026 [9][10]. - Partnerships, such as with Qolab for advanced nanofabrication technologies, are aimed at enhancing product performance and scalability [10]. Market Position - WDC's shares have increased by 249.1% over the past six months, outperforming the Zacks Computer-Storage Devices industry, which rose by 97.5% [12]. - The company has outperformed competitors like Seagate Technology Holdings plc (STX) and NetApp, Inc. (NTAP) during the same period [13]. Valuation Metrics - WDC's shares currently trade at a price/earnings ratio of 25.59, compared to the industry average of 19.01 [14][17]. Investment Outlook - The demand for storage driven by AI and cloud customers is expected to sustain growth, with strong nearline high-capacity drive demand acting as a tailwind for earnings [18][19].