Whirlpool Cuts 2026 Sales Outlook to About $14.5 Billion

The Tip Desk · October 27, 2026 · 3 min read

Third-quarter net sales were $3,677 million, down 8.8%, as the appliance maker swung to a $249 million GAAP loss and lowered full-year earnings guidance to a loss.

Whirlpool Corporation (WHR) reported third-quarter net sales of $3,677 million, down 8.8% from $4,033 million a year earlier, and swung to a GAAP net loss of $249 million available to common shareholders, or $(3.80) a share, from $73 million of earnings, or $1.29 a share.

Organic net sales were $3,643 million, down 5.4%. Ongoing (non-GAAP) EBIT fell 46.1% to $97 million from $180 million, and ongoing EBIT margin compressed 1.8 points to 2.6% from 4.5%. Ongoing earnings (loss) per diluted share was $(0.21), versus $2.09.

The home appliance company said structural cost take-out and pricing realization drove consecutive margin progress through the quarter. Ongoing EBIT margin expanded sequentially to 2.6% from 1.8% in the second quarter, after 1.3% in the first quarter. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Marc Bitzer said the pace of recovery was slower than expected and that the actions were setting a path for further improvements in 2027.

Major Domestic Appliances North America, the largest reportable segment, posted net sales of $2,495 million, down 8.3% year over year, or 8.2% excluding currency. EBIT was $74 million, and EBIT margin was 3.0%, versus 4.9% a year earlier. The company said it delivered sequential EBIT margin expansion from price increases and structural cost take-out, partially offset by cost inflation on raw material, fuel and logistics. It announced a 7% price increase effective in the fourth quarter.

MDA Latin America net sales rose 6.9% to $858 million, or 2.5% excluding currency on volume. EBIT fell 61.3% to $18 million, and EBIT margin compressed 3.6 points to 2.0% from 5.7%, pressured by mix shifts following Grupo Casas Bahia’s bankruptcy reorganization. The company announced price increases of up to 10% across the region.

SDA Global net sales were $286 million, down 0.7%, or 0.9% excluding currency. EBIT rose 11.7% to $53 million, and EBIT margin expanded 2.1 points to 18.6% from 16.5%. The company said October U.S. orders were up about 40% year over year on strong sell-out and order-timing shifts.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2026, cash used in operating activities was $(826) million, versus $(669) million in the corresponding nine months of 2025. Free cash flow was $(1,081) million, versus $(907) million. Chief Financial Officer Roxanne Warner said the company maintained strict working-capital management and now expects net debt below $4.5 billion at year-end, improved from under $5 billion.

Whirlpool cut its full-year 2026 net sales outlook to about $14.5 billion from the prior ~$15.0 billion. GAAP net earnings (loss) margin guidance moved to about (2.2)% from ~1.0%. Ongoing EBIT margin guidance was cut to 2.0–2.2% from ~4.0%. Full-year GAAP earnings (loss) per diluted share guidance was cut to about $(4.95) from $2.25–$2.75, and ongoing earnings (loss) per diluted share to about $(1.30) from $2.50–$3.00.

The company said it expects 2026 GAAP tax rate of approximately 8% and adjusted (non-GAAP) tax rate of 25%. Cash provided by operating activities is expected at approximately $700 million and free cash flow at approximately $300 million.