Washers and dryers aren’t exactly the rock stars of Wall Street. No one’s bragging about a spin cycle at cocktail parties. But in 2025, they are quietly making Whirlpool Corporation (WHR) poised to be a winner.

With recession fears rising and economic uncertainty clouding the outlook, Whirlpool’s steady hand stands out. The iconic maker of home appliances, with 80% of its production rooted in the U.S., is thriving under President Donald Trump’s tariff policies, which are leveling the playing field against foreign competitors.

Whirlpool isn’t just surviving global uncertainty, it is flourishing and keeping its financial outlook steady with smart price hikes, cost cuts, and agile sourcing strategies. As others scramble, Whirlpool can lean into its American manufacturing strength, proving that in a tough economy, basics beat flash. Investors looking for shelter from the storm could consider the dividend-paying WHR stock. 

About Whirlpool Stock

Michigan-based Whirlpool (WHR), founded in 1911, is a global leader in home appliances. The company designs and manufactures a wide range of products, including refrigerators, laundry appliances, cooking devices, dishwashers, and mixers, sold under brands such as Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, and JennAir. Operating internationally, Whirlpool serves retailers, distributors, builders, and direct consumers, maintaining a strong presence in the global home appliance market.

Valued at over $4.3 billion by market cap, WHR stock has declined 34% on a YTD basis, slipping 30% over the past three months alone.

A rough Q4, a cautious fiscal 2025 outlook, and plans to trim its India stake shook investor faith. Competition and shaky consumer confidence pinched margins, while towering debts cast a heavy shadow. 

Yet, with refinancing moves on deck and a focus on paying down billions in 2025, Whirlpool is just gearing up for a tougher, smarter comeback. Plus, Whirlpool’s 80% domestic production positions it as a “net winner” under new U.S. tariff policies, potentially leveling the playing field against foreign rivals and offering a glimmer of hope for a rebound.

The home appliance manufacturer has been rewarding its shareholders with dividends for over three decades. On April 14, Whirlpool announced a dividend of $1.75 per share, payable on June 15. This translates to an annualized dividend of $7 per share, yielding a steady 9.2% for investors seeking reliable income. 

A Closer Look at Whirlpool’s Q1 Earnings Report

Whirlpool’s earnings report for the first quarter of 2025 was a mixed bag. On April 23, the company reported $3.6 billion in revenue, down 19.4% year over year, missing Wall Street’s expectations. The slump largely reflected the impact of its Europe exit. Ongoing EPS fell 4.5% to $1.70, missing the projections by 3.4%.

Whirlpool burned $721 million of cash used in operations and ended with a negative free cash flow of $793 million. The balance sheet showed $1.02 billion in cash against $4.8 billion in long-term debt. Capital spending stayed modest at $72 million. 

Despite these headwinds, Whirlpool saw bright spots with its gross margin widening by 250 basis points to 16.8%, and ongoing EBIT jumped 9.7% year-over-year to $214 million, lifting margins to 5.9%.

Looking ahead, Whirlpool aims to steady its course. It projects $15.8 billion in sales for fiscal 2025, with a 6.8% EBIT margin. Ongoing EPS is anticipated to be $10. Around $200 million in cost cuts are baked into the plan, and FCF is estimated to be between $500 million and $600 million. As tariff shifts loom, Whirlpool is already gearing up to defend its margins and strengthen its footing.

Meanwhile, analysts monitoring the company project its bottom line for 2025 to decline nearly 27% year over year to $8.97 per share before edging up marginally to $10.18 per share in 2026.

Tariffs, Recession, and Whirlpool’s Edge

As recession fears grip the global economy, fueled by tariffs, Whirlpool finds itself caught in short-term turbulence. However, the company is gearing up to leverage its long-term advantages. Asian competitors flooded the U.S. markets prior to the implementation of new tariffs, bruising Whirlpool’s results in late 2024 and early 2025. Imports soared over 30%, disrupting sales and squeezing margins. Yet behind the noise, Whirlpool’s 80% U.S.-made portfolio stands tall. While others scramble to adjust, Whirlpool’s vast American manufacturing base is built to thrive under the new tariff landscape.

Management sees the recent surge in imports as a temporary storm. Once the tariffs fully bite, the field will finally level, removing loopholes that long favored Asian rivals. With bold price actions, aggressive cost cuts, and a new wave of products hitting shelves, Whirlpool is positioning itself to expand margins and drive earnings growth. In the battle ahead, the company’s deep U.S. roots are a weapon for a strong comeback.

What Do Analysts Expect for Whirlpool Stock?

After the company's Q1 earnings report, brokerage firms have adjusted their price target on WHR stock. Bank of America Securities’ Rafe Jadrosich kept a “Sell” tag on Whirlpool but raised his price target to $68. Even with tariff tailwinds expected later in 2025, Jadrosich sees rough waters first, as pricing shifts and macroeconomic pressures weigh heavily on the iconic appliance maker’s comeback hopes.

RBC Capital followed suit, reaffirming a “Sell” rating but slashing its target for the stock to $65 from $81. The firm notes worsening near-term demand and rising import inventories. 

Wall Street’s take on Whirlpool feels like a cautious handshake. Overall, WHR has a “Hold” rating. Out of the seven analysts covering the stock, two recommend a “Strong Buy,” three suggest a “Hold,” one advises a “Moderate Sell,” and the remaining one has a “Strong Sell” rating. 

WHR’s mean price target of $95 implies the stock has upside potential of 25%. The Street-high target of $138 suggests the stock could surge as much as 82% from the current price levels.