finance
Whirlpool Cuts 2026 Outlook After Q1 Miss Attributed to Middle East Conflict and Consumer Confidence Drop
Whirlpool reported first-quarter 2026 net sales of $3.27 billion, missing estimates, and posted an ongoing loss of 56 cents per share. The company lowered its full-year revenue guidance to $15.0 billion and ongoing EPS to $3.00-$3.50, citing a three-month war in the Middle East that triggered a collapse in U.S. appliance demand.
May 7, 7:45 AM·1m read1 source
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Whirlpool shares fell as much as 20% in premarket trading on May 7, 2026 after the appliance maker slashed its full-year 2026 outlook and posted weaker-than-expected first-quarter 2026 results. A potential 20% decline would mark the steepest intraday drop since the October 19, 1987 crash of 21%.
Shares were already down 24% year-to-date as of the May 6, 2026 close and are now trading at 2011 price levels.
U.S. appliance demand.
U.S. A three-month war in the Middle East occurred in early 2026, and consumer confidence collapsed in late February and March 2026. The maker of refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, ovens, ranges, cooktops, microwaves, and range hoods missed Bloomberg Consensus estimates across key metrics in the first quarter. 42 billion estimate.
5 million. 70 a year earlier. That result missed analyst expectations of a loss of 36 cents per share.
8 million consensus estimate. 21 billion. 84.
9 million estimate. Whirlpool still sees an adjusted tax rate of about 25% for 2026. ZeroHedge reported that the first-quarter sales showed weaker demand, mounting margin pressure, and a decline in North American appliance demand.
The company directly attributed the downturn to the regional conflict's impact on consumer confidence. The earnings release and outlook cut come after a period of already softening demand that accelerated with the Middle East war.
