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Friday, Western Digital Corp. (NASDAQ:WDC), a prominent player in the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry with a market capitalization of $15.1 billion, maintained its Hold rating by Benchmark analysts, with a focus on the broader memory chip market following Micron (NASDAQ:MU)’s recent financial update. According to InvestingPro data, the company maintains a healthy financial position with a "GOOD" overall health score, supported by strong liquidity metrics. The commentary from Benchmark highlighted Micron’s reported sales growth, driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and high bandwidth memory (HBM) sales, as well as market share gains.
Micron’s results showed that while NAND average selling prices (ASPs) decreased significantly in the second fiscal quarter of 2025 (F2Q25), following a minor decline in the first fiscal quarter (F1Q25), the company still managed to achieve a modest sequential growth in NAND bit shipments. Furthermore, Micron anticipates a low double-digit percentage growth in these shipments throughout 2025.
The demand for HBM was notably robust, with the product being completely sold out for the calendar year 2025. HBM sales surged more than 50% sequentially, surpassing $1 billion. Benchmark’s analysis also pointed out Micron’s guidance for the third fiscal quarter of 2025 (F3Q25), which includes a 10% increase in sales, a 140 basis point reduction in non-GAAP gross margins, and flat earnings.
The expected growth in both NAND and DRAM bit shipments in F3Q25 was also part of the update provided by Micron, suggesting a positive outlook for the memory chip sector. This information is pertinent to Western Digital as it operates within the same industry, and market trends can have significant implications for the company’s performance. InvestingPro analysis reveals that 4 analysts have recently revised their earnings upwards for the upcoming period, with the company trading at a P/E ratio of 12.4x and maintaining a solid current ratio of 1.99.
Western Digital’s stock rating remains unchanged at Hold, as analysts continue to monitor the market dynamics and company performance within the context of the broader industry trends highlighted by Micron’s recent update. With the next earnings report due on April 24, 2025, investors seeking deeper insights can access comprehensive analysis and additional ProTips through InvestingPro’s detailed research reports, which offer exclusive metrics and expert analysis for over 1,400 US stocks.
In other recent news, Western Digital Corp announced plans to redeem $1.8 billion in senior notes, maturing in 2026, as part of its strategy to manage debt and optimize its capital structure. BofA Securities maintained a Buy rating for Western Digital, with a price target of $58, following a discussion with the CEO about the company’s advancements in hard disk drive technology and its commitment to shareholder returns. Meanwhile, Cantor Fitzgerald adjusted its price target for Western Digital to $65 from $95, while maintaining an Overweight rating, citing a strong margin profile and anticipated growth in free cash flow.
Cantor Fitzgerald also noted potential risks such as oversupply and pricing weakness but highlighted the company’s positive industry tailwinds and expected reintroduction of a capital return program. Citi analyst Asiya Merchant raised Western Digital’s price target to $64, maintaining a Buy rating, following the Sandisk flash spinout. Merchant’s analysis pointed to a stable HDD market and Western Digital’s undervaluation compared to its competitor, Seagate Technology. Additionally, Citi expects Western Digital to reduce its net debt over the next year, aided by the sale of its stake in Sandisk shares. These developments reflect ongoing strategic efforts by Western Digital to strengthen its market position and financial health.
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