Western Digital (NASDAQ:WDC) Stock

WESTERN DIGITAL CORP

Western Digital

Western Digital is a leading, vertically integrated supplier of hard disk drives. The HDD market is a practical duopoly with, Western Digital and Seagate being the two largest players. Western Digital designs and manufacturers its HDDs, with much of the manufacturing and workforce located in Asia. The primary consumers of HDDs are data centers.

Education

ILMN

La Bourse a tendance à offrir des gains bien documentés au cours des derniers jours de négociation de décembre, un phénomène connu sous le nom de &#34;rallye du père Noël&#34;. 



Cette période d&#39;optimisme a historiquement

Rallye du Père Noël : 10 actions du S&amp;P 500 qui surperformant de manière constante pendant l&#39;optimisme de fin d&#39;année

Western Digital Corporation - Common Stock

Western Digital Corp

WILDCAT RESOURCES LTD by Wildcat Resources Ltd.

Wildcat resources Ltd

Western Digital Corp COM WHEN ISSUED

Last week, shares across several sectors, mainly technology, fell as investors reacted to macro and supply chain uncertainty amid President Trump&#8217;s sweeping Liberation Day tariffs and retaliatory responses from major trading nations. The S&amp;P 500 index fell about 9.1%.
These large-cap stocks were the worst performers. Are they in your portfolio?
<ol>
<li>Micron Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MU#NASDAQ">MU</a>) shares dipped 26.81%.</li>
<li>Microchip Technology Incorporated (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCHP#NASDAQ">MCHP</a>) shares dived 25.63%.</li>
<li>Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MFG#NYSE">MFG</a>) stock declined 25.18%.</li>
<li>Venture Global, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VG#NYSE">VG</a>) stock was down 24.82%. UBS initiated coverage of the company with a Buy rating and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/vg/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">announced a price forecast of $14</a>.</li>
<li>Western Digital Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WDC#NASDAQ">WDC</a>) shares plummeted 24.82%.</li>
<li>GE HealthCare Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GEHC#NASDAQ">GEHC</a>) stock fell 24.37%</li>
<li>Freeport-McMoRan, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FCX#NYSE">FCX</a>) shares decreased 24.13%</li>
<li>Southwest Airlines Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LUV#NYSE">LUV</a>) stock tumbled 22.98%.</li>
<li>Affirm Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AFRM#NASDAQ">AFRM</a>) stock fell 22.62%. Stride Bank announced a payments program partnership with the company, through which it will become a new card <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44586154" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">issuing partner for the Affirm CardTM</a>.</li>
<li>Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DELL#NYSE">DELL</a>) shares were down 22.39%.</li>
</ol>
Image via Shutterstock

Equities

Large Cap

News

Movers

Trading Ideas

AFRM

DELL

GEHC

MCHP

S&P500 Fell 9.1% Last Week And These Large Cap Stocks Were Obliterated (Mar 31-Apr 4)

WIIM

AEIS

AGYS

AIOT

BBAI

CALX

CIEN

CRSR

DOCN

EXTR

FFIV

FLEX

HIMX

INFY

IONQ

IPGP

KEYS

LOGI

MKSI

MLGO

MNDY

OSIS

PLXS

PSTG

QBTS

RCAT

SANM

SMCI

SOBR

TRMB

TSSI

TWLO

ZBRA

Shares of companies within the broader tech sector are trading lower as markets react to President Trump's announcement of sweeping tariffs.

Western Digital's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WDC#NYSE">WDC</a>) short percent of float has risen 4.22% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 33.48 million shares sold short, which is 10.86% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 3.72 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Western Digital Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1743100216_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Western Digital has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Western Digital's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Western Digital's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 8.54%, which means the company has more short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Short Sellers

Short Ideas

Looking Into Western Digital's Recent Short Interest

The latest market downturn has left many investors questioning whether this is a temporary dip or the beginning of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets">a prolonged bear market.</a>
Yet, an eye-opening indicator suggests that opportunities may be more abundant than feared—95% of S&amp;P 500 stocks currently hold a median analyst price target above their latest trading price, signaling significant upside potential across the board.
Notably, two Magnificent Seven stocks—Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) and Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>)—rank among the top when comparing the gap between Wall Street&#8217;s median price target and current prices, a quite uncommon event for tech giants that traditionally trade at valuation premiums.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Is This A Market Bottom Or A Value Trap?</h3>
The S&amp;P 500 officially entered correction territory last week, leaving investors to wonder whether the worst is over or if further downside awaits.
Ed Yardeni, president of Yardeni Research, has been one of the more bullish voices on Wall Street. Last week, he raised his probability of a bearish scenario from 20% to 35%. That forecast includes the possibility of a recession or stagflation—a combination of stagnant growth and inflation.
Yardeni also acknowledged the possibility that a bear market may have begun on Feb. 20, the day after the S&amp;P 500 reached a record high. This shift in sentiment led him to lower his year-end 2025 S&amp;P 500 target from 7,000 to 6,400.
From a technical standpoint, only 41% of S&amp;P 500 stocks are trading above their 200-day moving average, signaling that most have fallen below a key trend support level, potentially confirming a bearish phase.
Yet, long-term market data provides a reason for optimism. 
Jeffrey Buchbinder, chief equity strategist at LPL Financial, points out that market corrections—defined as a decline of 10% or more—occur every 1.1 years on average, dating back to 1928. 
&#8220;Corrections also tend to produce attractive buying opportunities&#8221;
Since 1950, the S&amp;P 500 has experienced an average intra-year drawdown of a negative 13.7%, yet it has still managed to post an average annual gain of 9.5%, with 73% of those years ending in positive territory. 
Even in years when the index experienced an intra-year decline of 10% to 20%, the average annual return was still 8.4%, with 64% of those years finishing higher.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Which Stocks Have The Biggest Upside?</h3>
Based on current analyst price targets, several stocks stand out for their potential gains. 
Deckers Outdoor Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DECK#NYSE">DECK</a>) leads the list, with a median price target nearly 95% higher than its last price. First Solar Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FSLR#NASDAQ">FSLR</a>) follows closely, with a projected upside of 93%.
Notably, Tesla and Nvidia, two of the most closely watched growth stocks, also rank high on the list. Analysts see Tesla's price target at $371.50, representing a 64.9% upside, while Nvidia's median price target sits at $175, implying a 51.6% gain from current levels.
Other stocks with significant upside potential include:
<ul>
<li>Caesars Entertainment Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CZR#NASDAQ">CZR</a>) &#8211; 81.4% potential upside</li>
<li>Western Digital Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WDC#NASDAQ">WDC</a>) &#8211; 80.4% potential upside</li>
<li>United Airlines Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UAL#NASDAQ">UAL</a>) &#8211; 80.2% potential upside</li>
<li>Delta Air Lines Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DAL#NYSE">DAL</a>) &#8211; 72.0% potential upside</li>
</ul>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>#</th>
<th>Stock name</th>
<th>Last Price</th>
<th>Price Target &#8211; Median</th>
<th>Target vs. Last Price %</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>Deckers Outdoor Corp.</td>
<td>115.30</td>
<td>225.00</td>
<td>95.14%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>First Solar, Inc. </td>
<td>127.34</td>
<td>245.95</td>
<td>93.14%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>Caesars Entertainment, Inc. </td>
<td>27.56</td>
<td>50.00</td>
<td>81.42%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>Western Digital Corp.</td>
<td>44.34</td>
<td>80.00</td>
<td>80.42%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td>United Airlines Holdings, Inc. </td>
<td>71.34</td>
<td>128.60</td>
<td>80.26%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6</td>
<td>Delta Air Lines, Inc. </td>
<td>45.92</td>
<td>79.00</td>
<td>72.04%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7</td>
<td>Tesla, Inc. </td>
<td>225.31</td>
<td>371.50</td>
<td>64.88%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8</td>
<td>Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NCLH#NYSE">NCLH</a>)</td>
<td>19.07</td>
<td>31.00</td>
<td>62.56%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9</td>
<td>Align Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALGN#NASDAQ">ALGN</a>)</td>
<td>164.53</td>
<td>260.00</td>
<td>58.03%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>10</td>
<td>Constellation Energy Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CEG#NASDAQ">CEG</a>)</td>
<td>210.85</td>
<td>331.50</td>
<td>57.22%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>11</td>
<td>MGM Resorts International (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MGM#NYSE">MGM</a>)</td>
<td>31.86</td>
<td>50.00</td>
<td>56.94%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>12</td>
<td>Carnival Corp. &amp; plc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CCL#NYSE">CCL</a>)</td>
<td>20.12</td>
<td>31.00</td>
<td>54.08%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>13</td>
<td>Nvidia Corp. </td>
<td>115.43</td>
<td>175.00</td>
<td>51.61%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>14</td>
<td>KKR &amp; Co. Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KKR#NYSE">KKR</a>)</td>
<td>114.02</td>
<td>170.00</td>
<td>49.10%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>15</td>
<td>Synchrony Financial (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SYF#NYSE">SYF</a>)</td>
<td>53.05</td>
<td>79.00</td>
<td>48.92%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>16</td>
<td>Iron Mountain Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IRM#NYSE">IRM</a>)</td>
<td>87.62</td>
<td>127.50</td>
<td>45.51%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>17</td>
<td>Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RCL#NYSE">RCL</a>)</td>
<td>203.38</td>
<td>295.00</td>
<td>45.05%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>18</td>
<td>Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DELL#NYSE">DELL</a>)</td>
<td>96.44</td>
<td>139.00</td>
<td>44.13%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>19</td>
<td>Super Micro Computer, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMCI#NASDAQ">SMCI</a>)</td>
<td>37.90</td>
<td>54.50</td>
<td>43.80%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>20</td>
<td>Synopsys Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SNPS#NASDAQ">SNPS</a>)</td>
<td>447.99</td>
<td>644.00</td>
<td>43.75%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Data: Koyfin</figcaption></figure>
Read now: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/03/44379453/equity-exposure-plummets-cash-holdings-jump-as-investors-rethink-us-exceptionalism-bank-of-america-survey">Equity Exposure Plummets, Cash Holdings Jump As Investors Rethink &#8216;US Exceptionalism,&#8217; Bank Of America Survey</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Analyst Color

Mid Cap

Price Target

Economics

ALGN

DECK

FSLR

NCLH

NVDA

SNPS

TSLA

Analysts See Upside For 95% Of S&P 500 Stocks: How Nvidia, Tesla Stack Up

This whale alert can help traders discover the next big trading opportunities.
Whales are entities with large sums of money and we track their transactions here at Benzinga on our options activity scanner.
Traders often look for circumstances when the market estimation of an option diverges away from its normal worth. Abnormal amounts of trading activity could push option prices to hyperbolic or underperforming levels. 
Below are some instances of options activity happening in the Information Technology sector: 
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>NVDA</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$120.00</td>
<td>$26.4K</td>
<td>141.6K</td>
<td>106.2K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AAPL</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$212.50</td>
<td>$29.9K</td>
<td>7.2K</td>
<td>20.7K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>INTC</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$26.50</td>
<td>$53.2K</td>
<td>1.6K</td>
<td>4.5K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>QUBT</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$9.00</td>
<td>$50.7K</td>
<td>1.5K</td>
<td>3.1K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PLTR</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>03/28/25</td>
<td>$82.00</td>
<td>$41.8K</td>
<td>1.1K</td>
<td>1.7K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MARA</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/15/27</td>
<td>$17.00</td>
<td>$195.7K</td>
<td>1.5K</td>
<td>1.5K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WDC</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>04/04/25</td>
<td>$43.50</td>
<td>$34.2K</td>
<td>1.1K</td>
<td>1.1K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>IREN</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$5.00</td>
<td>$56.0K</td>
<td>6.2K</td>
<td>1.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LRCX</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>08/15/25</td>
<td>$75.00</td>
<td>$71.5K</td>
<td>598</td>
<td>842</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DELL</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$95.00</td>
<td>$30.3K</td>
<td>2.0K</td>
<td>607</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h2>Explanation</h2>
These bullet-by-bullet explanations have been constructed using the accompanying table. 
• Regarding NVDA (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bullish sentiment. It expires in 3 day(s) on March 21, 2025. Parties traded 90 contract(s) at a $120.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 6 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $26.4K, with a price of $294.0 per contract. There were 141681 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 106245 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For AAPL (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), we notice a put option trade that happens to be bullish, expiring in 3 day(s) on March 21, 2025. This event was a transfer of 95 contract(s) at a $212.50 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $29.9K, with a price of $315.0 per contract. There were 7252 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 20787 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding INTC (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>), we observe a put option sweep with bullish sentiment. It expires in 3 day(s) on March 21, 2025. Parties traded 555 contract(s) at a $26.50 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 3 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $53.2K, with a price of $96.0 per contract. There were 1694 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 4505 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For QUBT (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QUBT#NASDAQ">QUBT</a>), we notice a put option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 3 day(s) on March 21, 2025. This event was a transfer of 483 contract(s) at a $9.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 8 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $50.7K, with a price of $105.0 per contract. There were 1522 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 3157 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding PLTR (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>), we observe a put option trade with bearish sentiment. It expires in 10 day(s) on March 28, 2025. Parties traded 135 contract(s) at a $82.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $41.8K, with a price of $310.0 per contract. There were 1141 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1773 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding MARA (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MARA#NASDAQ">MARA</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 668 day(s) on January 15, 2027. Parties traded 412 contract(s) at a $17.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 24 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $195.7K, with a price of $475.0 per contract. There were 1570 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1523 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For WDC (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WDC#NASDAQ">WDC</a>), we notice a put option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 17 day(s) on April 4, 2025. This event was a transfer of 236 contract(s) at a $43.50 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 18 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $34.2K, with a price of $145.0 per contract. There were 1100 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1100 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding IREN (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IREN#NASDAQ">IREN</a>), we observe a put option trade with bearish sentiment. It expires in 304 day(s) on January 16, 2026. Parties traded 500 contract(s) at a $5.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $56.0K, with a price of $112.0 per contract. There were 6245 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1065 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For LRCX (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LRCX#NASDAQ">LRCX</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 150 day(s) on August 15, 2025. This event was a transfer of 71 contract(s) at a $75.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 17 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $71.5K, with a price of $1006.0 per contract. There were 598 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 842 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding DELL (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DELL#NYSE">DELL</a>), we observe a call option trade with bullish sentiment. It expires in 3 day(s) on March 21, 2025. Parties traded 110 contract(s) at a $95.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $30.3K, with a price of $276.0 per contract. There were 2059 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 607 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
Options Alert Terminology 
 - Call Contracts: The right to buy shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Put Contracts: The right to sell shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Expiration Date: When the contract expires. One must act on the contract by this date if one wants to use it. 
 - Premium/Option Price: The price of the contract. 
For more information, visit our <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/blog/how-to-understand-option-alerts/">Guide to Understanding Options Alerts</a> or read <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/options">more news on unusual options activity</a>. 
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Options

AAPL

INTC

IREN

LRCX

MARA

PLTR

QUBT

10 Information Technology Stocks Whale Activity In Today's Session

Top Wall Street analysts changed their outlook on these top names. For a complete view of all analyst rating changes, including upgrades and downgrades, please see our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings">analyst ratings page</a>.
<ul>
<li>Goldman Sachs cut Bumble Inc. &nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BMBL#NYSE">BMBL</a>) price target from $10 to $8. Goldman Sachs analyst Alexandra Steiger maintained a Buy rating. Bumble shares closed at $4.82 on Friday. See how other analysts <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BMBL/analyst-ratings">view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Oppenheimer slashed the price target for Expedia Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EXPE#NASDAQ">EXPE</a>) from $235 to $230. Oppenheimer analyst Jed Kelly maintained an Outperform rating. Expedia shares closed at $162.11 on Friday. See how other analysts <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/EXPE/analyst-ratings">view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Morgan Stanley cut McDonald&#8217;s Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCD#NYSE">MCD</a>) price target from $340 to $335. Morgan Stanley analyst John Glass maintained an Overweight rating. McDonald&#8217;s shares closed at $299.83 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MCD/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>BMO Capital raised the price target for Pilgrim&#8217;s Pride Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PPC#NASDAQ">PPC</a>) from $47 to $48. BMO Capital analyst Andrew Strelzik maintained a Market Perform rating. Pilgrim&#8217;s Pride shares closed at $49.62 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/PPC/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>JP Morgan cut the price target for Crown Castle Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CCI#NYSE">CCI</a>) from $121 to $115. JP Morgan analyst Philip Cusick maintained a Neutral rating. Crown Castle shares closed at $103.22 on Thursday. See how other analysts view <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CCI/analyst-ratings">this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Scotiabank cut Zoom Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ZM#NASDAQ">ZM</a>) price target from $85 to $75. Scotiabank analyst Allan Verkhovski maintained a Sector Perform rating. Zoom shares settled at $74.20 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ZM/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>DA Davidson cut e.l.f. Beauty, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ELF#NYSE">ELF</a>) price target from $80 to $75. DA Davidson analyst Linda Bolton Weiser maintained a Neutral rating. e.l.f. Beauty shares closed at $68.18 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ELF/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>UBS cut Western Digital Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WDC#NASDAQ">WDC</a>) price target from $74 to $50. UBS analyst Timothy Arcuri maintained a Neutral rating. Western Digital shares closed at $44.53 on Friday. &nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MSFT/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Mizuho cut the price target for Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) from $515 to $430. Mizuho analyst Vijay Rakesh maintained an Outperform rating. Tesla shares settled at $249.98 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/TSLA/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Needham slashed NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NKE#NYSE">NKE</a>) price target from $84 to $80. Needham analyst Tom Nikic maintained a Buy rating. Nike shares closed at $71.66 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/nke/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
</ul>
Considering buying TSLA stock? 
<ul>
<li> <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/TSLA/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Markets

Analyst Ratings

BMBL

EXPE

Tesla To $430? Here Are 10 Top Analyst Forecasts For Monday

UBS analyst Timothy Arcuri maintains Western Digital (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WDC#NASDAQ">WDC</a>) with a Neutral and lowers the price target from $74 to $50.

UBS Maintains Neutral on Western Digital, Lowers Price Target to $50

Shares of tech and hardware stocks are trading higher amid an overall market rebound.

On CNBC's &#8220;Mad Money Lightning Round,&#8221; Jim Cramer said Arthur J. Gallagher &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AJG#NYSE">AJG</a>) is just a &#8220;solid&#8221; company. &#8220;Sometimes stocks are just kind of just quietly going up, and that's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AJG">one of them,&#8221; he added.</a>
As per the recent news, Arthur J. Gallagher, on Monday, announced it has acquired the remaining shares of Philippines-based Philpacific Insurance Brokers &amp; Managers, Inc., or Philinsure.
&#8220;I'm not going to repeat my bullishness on it. Would be a mistake,&#8221; Cramer said when asked about Nu Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NU#NYSE">NU</a>).
As per the recent earnings report, Nu, on Feb. 20, said it added 4.5 million customers in the fourth quarter, bringing total global customers up to 114.2 million as of Dec. 31, up 22% year-over-year.
Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WM#NYSE">WM</a>) is &#8220;fantastic,&#8221; the Mad Money host said.
Supporting his view, CIBC, on March 5, raised the price target on the stock from $227 to $247.
When asked about fuboTV Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FUBO#NYSE">FUBO</a>), he said, &#8220;I'm going to have to say ix-nay.&#8221;
On Feb. 28, FuboTV reported earnings for the fourth quarter of 2024. Revenue of the sports-first live TV streaming platform grew 8.1% year over year to $443.277 million, marginally missing the analyst consensus estimate of $445.798 million.
AllianceBernstein Holding L.P. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AB#NYSE">AB</a>) is just a &#8220;great&#8221; company, Cramer said, &#8220;All systems go there.&#8221;
On Feb. 24, Equitable Holdings Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EQH#NYSE">EQH</a>) announced a cash tender offer for up to 46 million units of AllianceBernstein at $38.50 per unit.
Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/OXY#NYSE">OXY</a>) has &#8220;got a lot of debt, and it's just not that great,&#8221; Cramer said, &#8220;Get a better oil.&#8221;
Supporting his view, Raymond James analyst John Freeman, on Monday, downgraded Occidental Petroleum from Strong Buy to Outperform and lowered the price target from $81 to $64.
Cramer said he needs to do some work on Western Digital Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WDC#NASDAQ">WDC</a>).
Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Matthew Prisco, on March 7, maintained Western Digital with an Overweight rating and lowered the price target from $95 to $65.
When asked about Applied Materials, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMAT#NASDAQ">AMAT</a>), he said, &#8220;I've got to tell you, capital equipment is so tied up with China that I can't just get behind it anymore, even though I love these companies.&#8221;
On Monday, Applied Materials announced that its board of directors had approved a 15% increase in the quarterly cash dividend, marking eight consecutive years of higher dividends. The Board also approved a new share repurchase to buy back an additional $10 billion of its shares over time.
Price Action:
<ul>
<li>Arthur J. Gallagher shares fell 0.2% to settle at $325.08 on Wednesday.</li>
<li>Nu Holdings shares gained 2.7% to close at $10.89 during the session.</li>
<li>Waste Management shares fell 0.6% to settle at $222.86.</li>
<li>Applied Materials shares gained 1.4% to close at $149.06.</li>
<li>Fubotv shares gained 0.3% to close at $3.10 on Wednesday.</li>
<li>AllianceBernstein shares settled at $36.87.</li>
<li>Occidental Petroleum shares fell 0.4% to close at $46.10.</li>
<li>Western Digital shares rose 2.8% to close at $42.96 on Wednesday.</li>
</ul>
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44274110/top-2-industrials-stocks-that-may-collapse-in-march">Top 2 Industrials Stocks That May Collapse In March</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Media

AMAT

FUBO

Jim Cramer: Arthur J. Gallagher Is 'Solid,' This Industrial Company Is 'Fantastic'

Whales with a lot of money to spend have taken a noticeably bearish stance on Western Digital.
Looking at options history for Western Digital (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WDC#NASDAQ">WDC</a>) we detected 10 trades.
If we consider the specifics of each trade, it is accurate to state that 40% of the investors opened trades with bullish expectations and 60% with bearish.
From the overall spotted trades, 3 are puts, for a total amount of $468,232 and 7, calls, for a total amount of $291,905.
<h3>What's The Price Target?</h3>
Based on the trading activity, it appears that the significant investors are aiming for a price territory stretching from $35.0 to $50.0 for Western Digital over the recent three months. 
<h3>Analyzing Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
In today's trading context, the average open interest for options of Western Digital stands at 3280.5, with a total volume reaching 6,028.00. The accompanying chart delineates the progression of both call and put option volume and open interest for high-value trades in Western Digital, situated within the strike price corridor from $35.0 to $50.0, throughout the last 30 days.
<h3>Western Digital Option Activity Analysis: Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1741630535_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Significant Options Trades Detected:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>WDC</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$5.9</td>
<td>$5.85</td>
<td>$5.9</td>
<td>$40.00</td>
<td>$295.0K</td>
<td>47</td>
<td align="right">500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WDC</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>07/18/25</td>
<td>$7.6</td>
<td>$7.45</td>
<td>$7.6</td>
<td>$45.00</td>
<td>$95.0K</td>
<td>3</td>
<td align="right">125</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WDC</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$0.37</td>
<td>$0.13</td>
<td>$0.28</td>
<td>$35.00</td>
<td>$78.2K</td>
<td>3</td>
<td align="right">436</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WDC</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>05/16/25</td>
<td>$1.98</td>
<td>$1.82</td>
<td>$1.97</td>
<td>$45.00</td>
<td>$62.0K</td>
<td>3.7K</td>
<td align="right">319</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WDC</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>05/16/25</td>
<td>$3.95</td>
<td>$3.85</td>
<td>$3.9</td>
<td>$40.00</td>
<td>$53.8K</td>
<td>57</td>
<td align="right">158</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Western Digital</h3>
Western Digital is a leading, vertically integrated supplier of hard disk drives. The HDD market is a practical duopoly with, Western Digital and Seagate being the two largest players. Western Digital designs and manufacturers its HDDs, with much of the manufacturing and workforce located in Asia. The primary consumers of HDDs are data centers.
Having examined the options trading patterns of Western Digital, our attention now turns directly to the company. This shift allows us to delve into its present market position and performance
<h3>Western Digital's Current Market Status</h3>
<ul>
<li>Trading volume stands at 4,610,044, with WDC's price down by -4.05%, positioned at $40.01.</li>
<li>RSI indicators show the stock to be may be oversold.</li>
<li>Earnings announcement expected in 45 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What Analysts Are Saying About Western Digital</h3>
In the last month, 5 experts released ratings on this stock with an average target price of $80.6.
Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move
Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=Be8be9arja3be22bz20&amp;adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=options-activity&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Wells Fargo continues to hold a Overweight rating for Western Digital, targeting a price of $75. 
&#x2A; In a cautious move, an analyst from Wedbush downgraded its rating to Outperform, setting a price target of $95. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Citigroup persists with their Buy rating on Western Digital, maintaining a target price of $64. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Cantor Fitzgerald has revised its rating downward to Overweight, adjusting the price target to $95. 
&#x2A; An analyst from UBS has decided to maintain their Neutral rating on Western Digital, which currently sits at a price target of $74. 
Options trading presents higher risks and potential rewards. Astute traders manage these risks by continually educating themselves, adapting their strategies, monitoring multiple indicators, and keeping a close eye on market movements. Stay informed about the latest Western Digital options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>.

Check Out What Whales Are Doing With WDC

Ratings for Western Digital (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WDC#NASDAQ">WDC</a>) were provided by 24 analysts in the past three months, showcasing a mix of bullish and bearish perspectives.
The table below provides a snapshot of their recent ratings, showcasing how sentiments have evolved over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th align="right">Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Indifferent</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th align="right">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td align="right">6</td>
<td align="right">13</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td align="right">4</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">4</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Analysts' evaluations of 12-month price targets offer additional insights, showcasing an average target of $81.83, with a high estimate of $95.00 and a low estimate of $64.00. A negative shift in sentiment is evident as analysts have decreased the average price target by 5.74%. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1741370437_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Breaking Down Analyst Ratings: A Detailed Examination</h2>
The standing of Western Digital among financial experts is revealed through an in-depth exploration of recent analyst actions. The summary below outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Matthew Prisco</td>
<td>Cantor Fitzgerald</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$65.00</td>
<td>$95.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Aaron Rakers</td>
<td>Wells Fargo</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$75.00</td>
<td>$85.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Asiya Merchant</td>
<td>Citigroup</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$64.00</td>
<td>$60.45</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Matthew Prisco</td>
<td>Cantor Fitzgerald</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$95.00</td>
<td>$95.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Matthew Prisco</td>
<td>Cantor Fitzgerald</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$95.00</td>
<td>$95.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Timothy Arcuri</td>
<td>UBS</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$74.00</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Matt Bryson</td>
<td>Wedbush</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$95.00</td>
<td>$95.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Matthew Prisco</td>
<td>Cantor Fitzgerald</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$95.00</td>
<td>$95.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Toshiya Hari</td>
<td>Goldman Sachs</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$80.00</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Timothy Arcuri</td>
<td>UBS</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
<td>$78.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Asiya Merchant</td>
<td>Citigroup</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$80.00</td>
<td>$82.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tristan Gerra</td>
<td>Baird</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$80.00</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Matthew Prisco</td>
<td>Cantor Fitzgerald</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$95.00</td>
<td>$95.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Medhi Hosseini</td>
<td>Susquehanna</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$72.00</td>
<td>$83.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kevin Cassidy</td>
<td>Rosenblatt</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$90.00</td>
<td>$95.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Wamsi Mohan</td>
<td>B of A Securities</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$84.00</td>
<td>$80.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>C J Muse</td>
<td>Cantor Fitzgerald</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$95.00</td>
<td>$95.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tom O'Malley</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$80.00</td>
<td>$90.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Wamsi Mohan</td>
<td>B of A Securities</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$80.00</td>
<td>$89.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Aaron Rakers</td>
<td>Wells Fargo</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$85.00</td>
<td>$95.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Toshiya Hari</td>
<td>Goldman Sachs</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
<td>$81.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Vijay Rakesh</td>
<td>Mizuho</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$82.00</td>
<td>$90.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Joseph Moore</td>
<td>Morgan Stanley</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$93.00</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mark Miller</td>
<td>Benchmark</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts adapt their recommendations to changing market conditions and company performance. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their response to recent developments related to Western Digital. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Offering a comprehensive view, analysts assess stocks qualitatively, spanning from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey expectations for the relative performance of Western Digital compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts provide insights into price targets, offering estimates for the future value of Western Digital's stock. This comparison reveals trends in analysts' expectations over time.</li>
</ul>
Navigating through these analyst evaluations alongside other financial indicators can contribute to a holistic understanding of Western Digital's market standing. Stay informed and make data-driven decisions with our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/WDC/analyst-ratings?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=analyst-ratings&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Stay up to date on Western Digital analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>All You Need to Know About Western Digital</h2>
Western Digital is a leading, vertically integrated supplier of hard disk drives. The HDD market is a practical duopoly with, Western Digital and Seagate being the two largest players. Western Digital designs and manufacturers its HDDs, with much of the manufacturing and workforce located in Asia. The primary consumers of HDDs are data centers.
<h3>Western Digital's Financial Performance</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: Positioned below industry benchmarks, the company's market capitalization faces constraints in size. This could be influenced by factors such as growth expectations or operational capacity.
Revenue Growth: Western Digital's remarkable performance in 3 months is evident. As of 31 December, 2024, the company achieved an impressive revenue growth rate of 41.33%. This signifies a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. When compared to others in the Information Technology sector, the company faces challenges, achieving a growth rate lower than the average among peers.
Net Margin: Western Digital's net margin is impressive, surpassing industry averages. With a net margin of 13.56%, the company demonstrates strong profitability and effective cost management.
Return on Equity (ROE): The company's ROE is below industry benchmarks, signaling potential difficulties in efficiently using equity capital. With an ROE of 4.89%, the company may need to address challenges in generating satisfactory returns for shareholders.
Return on Assets (ROA): Western Digital's ROA stands out, surpassing industry averages. With an impressive ROA of 2.31%, the company demonstrates effective utilization of assets and strong financial performance.
Debt Management: Western Digital's debt-to-equity ratio is below industry norms, indicating a sound financial structure with a ratio of 0.61.
<h2>How Are Analyst Ratings Determined?</h2>
Ratings come from analysts, or specialists within banking and financial systems that report for specific stocks or defined sectors (typically once per quarter for each stock). Analysts usually derive their information from company conference calls and meetings, financial statements, and conversations with important insiders to reach their decisions.
Analysts may enhance their evaluations by incorporating forecasts for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue, delivering additional guidance to investors. It is vital to acknowledge that, although experts in stocks and sectors, analysts are human and express their opinions when providing insights.
Which Stocks Are Analysts Recommending Now?
Benzinga Edge gives you instant access to all major analyst upgrades, downgrades, and price targets. Sort by accuracy, upside potential, and more. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=be8be9arja3be22bz21&amp;adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=analyst-ratings&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Click here to stay ahead of the market</a>.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

The Analyst Verdict: Western Digital In The Eyes Of 24 Experts

Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Matthew Prisco maintains Western Digital (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WDC#NASDAQ">WDC</a>) with a Overweight and lowers the price target from $95 to $65.

Cantor Fitzgerald Maintains Overweight on Western Digital, Lowers Price Target to $65

Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bullish stance on Western Digital (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WDC#NASDAQ">WDC</a>).
And retail traders should know.
We noticed this today when the trades showed up on publicly available options history that we track here at Benzinga.
Whether these are institutions or just wealthy individuals, we don't know. But when something this big happens with WDC, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen.
So how do we know what these investors just did? 
Today, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga</a>'s options scanner spotted 15 uncommon options trades for Western Digital.
This isn't normal.
The overall sentiment of these big-money traders is split between 80% bullish and 13%, bearish.
Out of all of the special options we uncovered, 11 are puts, for a total amount of $491,200, and 4 are calls, for a total amount of $126,026.
<h3>What's The Price Target?</h3>
Taking into account the Volume and Open Interest on these contracts, it appears that whales have been targeting a price range from $42.5 to $50.0 for Western Digital over the last 3 months. 
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Development</h3>
Looking at the volume and open interest is an insightful way to conduct due diligence on a stock.
This data can help you track the liquidity and interest for Western Digital's options for a given strike price.
Below, we can observe the evolution of the volume and open interest of calls and puts, respectively, for all of Western Digital's whale activity within a strike price range from $42.5 to $50.0 in the last 30 days. 
<h3>Western Digital Option Activity Analysis: Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1741287722_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Significant Options Trades Detected:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th align="right">Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>WDC</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$4.05</td>
<td>$3.95</td>
<td>$4.0</td>
<td>$42.50</td>
<td>$76.4K</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td>1.8K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WDC</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$4.05</td>
<td>$4.0</td>
<td>$4.0</td>
<td>$42.50</td>
<td>$72.4K</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td>1.8K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WDC</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$4.1</td>
<td>$4.0</td>
<td>$4.0</td>
<td>$42.50</td>
<td>$54.4K</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td>209</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WDC</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$4.35</td>
<td>$4.0</td>
<td>$4.0</td>
<td>$42.50</td>
<td>$53.2K</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td>441</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WDC</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$4.05</td>
<td>$4.0</td>
<td>$4.0</td>
<td>$42.50</td>
<td>$44.0K</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td>902</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Western Digital</h3>
Western Digital is a leading, vertically integrated supplier of hard disk drives. The HDD market is a practical duopoly with, Western Digital and Seagate being the two largest players. Western Digital designs and manufacturers its HDDs, with much of the manufacturing and workforce located in Asia. The primary consumers of HDDs are data centers.
Having examined the options trading patterns of Western Digital, our attention now turns directly to the company. This shift allows us to delve into its present market position and performance
<h3>Where Is Western Digital Standing Right Now?</h3>
<ul>
<li>Currently trading with a volume of 4,941,931, the WDC's price is down by -4.84%, now at $42.06. </li>
<li>RSI readings suggest the stock is currently may be approaching oversold.</li>
<li>Anticipated earnings release is in 49 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Professional Analyst Ratings for Western Digital</h3>
In the last month, 5 experts released ratings on this stock with an average target price of $86.8.
Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?
20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=options-activity&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Wells Fargo has decided to maintain their Overweight rating on Western Digital, which currently sits at a price target of $75. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Cantor Fitzgerald has revised its rating downward to Overweight, adjusting the price target to $95. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Wedbush has revised its rating downward to Outperform, adjusting the price target to $95. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Cantor Fitzgerald downgraded its action to Overweight with a price target of $95. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from UBS keeps a Neutral rating on Western Digital with a target price of $74. 
Options are a riskier asset compared to just trading the stock, but they have higher profit potential. Serious options traders manage this risk by educating themselves daily, scaling in and out of trades, following more than one indicator, and following the markets closely.
If you want to stay updated on the latest options trades for Western Digital, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a> gives you real-time options trades alerts.

Western Digital Unusual Options Activity

AAOI

ADTN

ALAB

ANET

ASML

ATGL

CAMT

CIFR

COHR

COMM

CRDO

KLAC

LITE

MPWR

NVMI

SMTC

SNOW

WULF

Shares of companies with the broader tech sector are trading lower amid overall market weakness following a rise in Treasury yields. Investors may be evaluating ongoing global tension related to tariffs and conflict.

AMBA

AVGO

MRVL

Semiconductor and hardware stocks are trading lower after a Wall Street Journal report revealed that Chinese buyers have been ordering Nvidia chips despite U.S. restrictions. Additionally, President Trump confirmed Mar. 4 tariffs, which could drive further trade uncertainty.

Wells Fargo analyst Aaron Rakers maintains Western Digital (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WDC#NASDAQ">WDC</a>) with a Overweight and lowers the price target from $85 to $75.

Wells Fargo Maintains Overweight on Western Digital, Lowers Price Target to $75

Citigroup analyst Asiya Merchant maintains Western Digital (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WDC#NASDAQ">WDC</a>) with a Buy and raises the price target from $60.45 to $64.

Citigroup Maintains Buy on Western Digital, Raises Price Target to $64

Western Digital Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WDC#NASDAQ">WDC</a>) shares are trading lower Monday after the company announced the completion of its planned separation of the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/insights/analyst-ratings/25/02/43793580/where-western-digital-stands-with-analysts">flash business Sandisk.</a>
What To Know: Western Digital previously outlined its intention to split its hard disk drive (HDD) and flash memory businesses into two separate entities. The move, which was finalized today, allows Western Digital to focus solely on HDDs while Sandisk will operate independently as a pure-play flash storage company.
The decline in share price suggests investor concerns about Western Digital&#8217;s future without its flash segment, which had been a key revenue driver. The company recently held an Investor Day event, when it detailed its long-term strategy for the HDD market.
Following the separation, Western Digital&#8217;s leadership team includes Irving Tan as CEO and Don Bennett set to take over as interim CFO after Wissam Jabre steps down on Feb. 28, 2025. The company&#8217;s board also saw changes, with Martin Cole becoming the new board chair and Bruce Kiddoo and Roxanne Oulman joining as new directors.
Western Digital's decision to spin off Sandisk marks a major shift in its business structure but the market reaction potentially indicates skepticism about the company's growth prospects moving forward.
WDC Price Action: Western Digital Corporation shares were down 5.58% at $49.02 at market close Monday, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro.</a>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent022425&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="540" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/24153030/Screenshot-2025-02-24-at-15.30.07-1024x540.png" alt="" class="wp-image-796282" style="width:493px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/24153030/Screenshot-2025-02-24-at-15.30.07-1024x540.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/24153030/Screenshot-2025-02-24-at-15.30.07-300x158.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/24153030/Screenshot-2025-02-24-at-15.30.07-768x405.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/24153030/Screenshot-2025-02-24-at-15.30.07.png 1512w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43919389/bristol-myers-opdivo-plus-yervoy-treatment-goes-under-priority-fda-review-for-colorectal-cancer">Bristol Myers Colorectal Cancer Treatment Goes Under Priority FDA Review</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Golden Dayz via Shutterstock

Tech

Western Digital Corporation Shares Are Down Today: What's Going On?

Western Digital shares are trading lower after the company announced the completion of the planned separation of the flash business Sandisk.

BNAI

BTBT

CSAI

EPAM

MVIS

NXPI

OKTA

OUST

QCOM

RGTI

SHMD

SHOP

VUZI

WOLF

Shares of companies in the broader technology sector are trading lower amid overall market weakness on US consumer and economic concerns.

Press Releases

Sandisk to Host Investor Day 2025

Western Digital to Host Investor Day 2025 in New York City

Western Digital Unveiled Go-Forward Strategy at Investor Day 2025

SanDisk Set to Join S&P SmallCap 600

Kioxia and Sandisk Unveil Next-Generation 3D Flash Memory Technology Achieving 4.8Gb/s NAND Interface Speed

Legal

Long-Term Shareholders of Western Digital, Shift4 Payments, Fidelity National Information, and DICK's Sporting Goods Alert: Johnson Fistel, LLP Encourages Investors to Submit Their Information Below

Western Digital Completes Planned Company Separation

ETHISPHERE Names Western Digital as One of the 2025 World's Most Ethical Companies® for the Seventh Time

Western Digital Announces Senior Notes Redemption

Western Digital Names Storage Infrastructure Executive Ahmed Shihab as Chief Product Officer

Comments

Western Digital

Notizie

PARTENAIRE / CONTRIBUTEUR

BENZINGA MONDIAL