Western Digital Corporation (WDC): history, ownership, mission, how it works & makes money

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Western Digital Corporation (WDC) Information


A Brief History of Western Digital Corporation

Western Digital Corporation (WDC), founded in 1970, has evolved into a leading data storage solutions provider. The company is headquartered in San Jose, California, and specializes in manufacturing hard disk drives (HDD), solid-state drives (SSD), and other data storage technologies.

Financial Performance Overview (2024)

As of September 27, 2024, Western Digital reported a significant improvement in its financial performance compared to the previous year. The company achieved net revenue of $4.095 billion, which represented a 49% increase from $2.750 billion in the same quarter of the prior year.

Financial Metric Q1 2024 Q1 2023 % Change
Net Revenue $4.095 billion $2.750 billion 49%
Gross Profit $1.551 billion $99 million 1,467%
Operating Income $742 million $(596) million 124% (Turnaround)
Net Income $493 million $(685) million 172%

Segment Revenue Breakdown

Western Digital's revenue is primarily generated from two segments: HDD and Flash storage. For the three months ended September 27, 2024, the revenue from each segment was as follows:

Segment Q1 2024 Revenue Q1 2023 Revenue % Change
HDD $2.211 billion $1.194 billion 85%
Flash $1.884 billion $1.556 billion 21%

Market Performance and Stock Data

As of September 27, 2024, Western Digital's common stock had a market capitalization of approximately $5.4 billion. The stock price has shown volatility, with a year-to-date performance reflecting a recovery from previous lows. The company continues to focus on enhancing its product offerings in both the HDD and SSD markets.

Debt and Financial Obligations

As of September 27, 2024, Western Digital's total debt stood at $7.450 billion. The company has several debt instruments, including:

  • 3.00% convertible notes due 2028: $1.600 billion
  • 4.75% senior unsecured notes due 2026: $2.300 billion
  • Variable interest rate Term Loan A-2 maturing 2027: $2.550 billion
  • 2.85% senior notes due 2029: $500 million
  • 3.10% senior notes due 2032: $500 million

Cash Flow Analysis

In the first quarter of 2024, Western Digital generated cash flow from operating activities of $34 million, a significant recovery from a cash outflow of $(626) million in the same period of 2023. This reflects the company's improved operational efficiency and revenue growth.

Cash Flow Metric Q1 2024 Q1 2023
Cash Flow from Operating Activities $34 million $(626) million
Cash Flow from Investing Activities $(45) million $84 million
Cash Flow from Financing Activities $(102) million $554 million

Future Outlook

Western Digital continues to adapt to changing market conditions, particularly in the data center and cloud storage sectors. The company is focused on innovation in flash memory technologies, which are expected to drive future growth.



A Who Owns Western Digital Corporation (WDC)

Major Shareholders

As of 2024, the ownership structure of Western Digital Corporation (WDC) is characterized by a mix of institutional investors, mutual funds, and individual shareholders. The largest shareholders include:

  • The Vanguard Group, Inc. - Approximately 8.3% ownership.
  • BlackRock, Inc. - Approximately 7.5% ownership.
  • State Street Corporation - Approximately 4.0% ownership.
  • FMR LLC (Fidelity Management) - Approximately 3.5% ownership.
  • Invesco Ltd. - Approximately 3.0% ownership.

Recent Changes in Ownership

In the last fiscal year, several institutional investors increased their stakes in Western Digital, indicating growing confidence in the company’s strategic direction. Notably:

  • Vanguard increased its holding by 1.2%.
  • BlackRock increased its stake by 0.9%.
  • FMR LLC reduced its position by 0.5%.

Insider Ownership

Insider ownership remains relatively low, with executive officers and board members collectively owning approximately 1.5% of the company. Key insiders include:

  • David Goeckeler, CEO - owns approximately 0.3%.
  • Mark Long, CFO - owns approximately 0.2%.
  • Other executives and board members collectively own approximately 1.0%.

Stock Performance and Market Capitalization

As of September 27, 2024, Western Digital’s total market capitalization is approximately $10.2 billion, with stock trading at around $30.00 per share. This reflects a year-to-date increase of approximately 35% from the previous year.

Category Percentage Ownership Number of Shares
Institutional Investors Approx. 80% Approx. 250 million shares
Insider Ownership Approx. 1.5% Approx. 5 million shares
Public Ownership Approx. 18.5% Approx. 58 million shares

Top Institutional Investors

The following table lists the top institutional investors of Western Digital Corporation along with their respective ownership percentages and the number of shares held:

Institution Ownership Percentage Shares Held (in millions)
The Vanguard Group, Inc. 8.3% 25.9
BlackRock, Inc. 7.5% 23.3
State Street Corporation 4.0% 12.4
FMR LLC 3.5% 10.9
Invesco Ltd. 3.0% 9.3

Recent Shareholder Actions

In the recent quarter, Western Digital has seen a substantial increase in institutional buying as the technology sector rebounds. The company reported:

  • A 14% increase in institutional ownership compared to the previous quarter.
  • Increased demand for shares following positive earnings reports, highlighting improved profitability and revenue growth.

Conclusion on Ownership Dynamics

The ownership of Western Digital Corporation is predominantly held by institutional investors, with significant stakes from major investment firms. The company's market performance and strategic initiatives continue to attract interest from both institutional and retail investors.



Western Digital Corporation (WDC) Mission Statement

Company Overview

Western Digital Corporation (WDC) is a leading developer, manufacturer, and provider of data storage devices and solutions based on both hard disk drive (HDD) and NAND flash technologies. The company's mission is to enable the world's data to be stored, accessed, and transformed seamlessly.

Mission Statement

As of 2024, Western Digital's mission statement emphasizes innovation and reliability in data storage solutions, aiming to empower individuals and organizations to harness the power of their data.

Financial Performance Metrics

For the three months ended September 27, 2024, Western Digital reported significant financial metrics relevant to its mission:

Metric Q1 2025 (in millions) Q1 2024 (in millions) % Change
Net Revenue $4,095 $2,750 49%
Gross Profit $1,551 $99 1,467%
Operating Income $742 ($596) 224%
Net Income $493 ($685) 172%
Basic Earnings per Share $1.40 ($2.17) 163%

Revenue by Segment

The company's revenue streams are diversified across various segments, reflecting its mission to cater to different market needs:

Segment Q1 2025 Revenue (in millions) Q1 2024 Revenue (in millions) % Change
Cloud $2,208 $872 153%
Client $1,209 $1,147 5%
Consumer $678 $731 (7%)

Geographical Revenue Distribution

Revenue distribution across regions highlights Western Digital's global reach:

Region Q1 2025 Revenue (in millions) Q1 2024 Revenue (in millions)
Asia $1,837 $1,551
Americas $1,690 $662
Europe, Middle East, and Africa $568 $537

Market Position and Strategy

Western Digital's commitment to innovation is demonstrated through its investment in research and development. The company allocated $519 million for R&D in Q1 2025, an increase of 20% from the previous year.

Debt and Financing Overview

As of September 27, 2024, Western Digital's debt structure included:

Debt Type Amount (in millions) Maturity
Convertible Notes (3.00% due 2028) $1,600 November 15, 2028
Senior Unsecured Notes (4.75% due 2026) $2,300 2026
Term Loan A-2 $2,550 January 2027
Other Senior Notes (2.85% due 2029) $500 2029
Other Senior Notes (3.10% due 2032) $500 2032
Total Debt $7,450

Conclusion

Western Digital Corporation's mission statement reflects its commitment to innovation, quality, and comprehensive data solutions, which is supported by its robust financial performance and strategic market positioning.



How Western Digital Corporation (WDC) Works

Business Overview

Western Digital Corporation (WDC) is a leading provider of data storage solutions, specializing in both hard disk drives (HDD) and NAND flash technologies. The company serves multiple markets, including Cloud, Client, and Consumer segments.

Financial Performance

As of September 27, 2024, WDC reported a total revenue of $4,095 million, which represents a 49% increase compared to $2,750 million in the same period of 2023. The revenue breakdown by segment is as follows:

Segment Revenue (in millions) Change (YoY)
HDD $2,211 85%
Flash $1,884 21%
Cloud $2,208 153%
Client $1,209 5%
Consumer $678 -7%

Geographical Revenue Distribution

WDC's revenue by geography for the three months ended September 27, 2024, is detailed below:

Region Revenue (in millions)
Asia $1,837
Americas $1,690
Europe, Middle East and Africa $568

Cost and Profit Analysis

The cost of revenue for the quarter was $2,544 million, resulting in a gross profit of $1,551 million and a gross margin of 37.9%. The gross margins for the segments were:

Segment Gross Profit (in millions) Gross Margin
HDD $843 38.1%
Flash $732 38.9%

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses for the quarter totaled $809 million, with the following breakdown:

Expense Type Amount (in millions)
Research and Development $519
Selling, General and Administrative $242
Litigation Matter $3
Employee Termination, Asset Impairment, and Other $2
Business Separation Costs $43

Net Income and Earnings Per Share

WDC reported a net income of $493 million for the quarter, translating to a net income per share of $1.40 (basic) and $1.35 (diluted). This marks a significant recovery from a loss of $685 million in the prior year.

Debt and Financing

As of September 27, 2024, WDC's total debt was $7,400 million. The following table summarizes the debt structure:

Debt Instrument Amount (in millions) Maturity
3.00% Convertible Notes $1,600 2028
4.75% Senior Unsecured Notes $2,300 2026
Variable Interest Rate Term Loan A-2 $2,550 2027
2.85% Senior Notes $500 2029
3.10% Senior Notes $500 2032

Stock-Based Compensation

For the three months ended September 27, 2024, WDC recorded stock-based compensation expenses of $84 million, which included:

Type Amount (in millions)
RSUs and PSUs $72
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) $12

Research and Development Investments

WDC invested $519 million in research and development during the quarter, reflecting a commitment to innovation and product development.

Market Position and Customers

WDC's top 10 customers accounted for 51% of total net revenue for the quarter, with one customer alone contributing 14%.



How Western Digital Corporation (WDC) Makes Money

Revenue Streams

Western Digital Corporation generates revenue primarily from its sales of hard disk drives (HDD) and NAND flash memory products. As of the three months ended September 27, 2024, the company reported a total revenue of $4,095 million, a significant increase from $2,750 million in the same period the previous year.

Revenue by Segment (in millions) September 27, 2024 September 29, 2023
HDD $2,211 $1,194
Flash $1,884 $1,556
Total Revenue $4,095 $2,750

Market Segments

The company operates in three primary market segments: Cloud, Client, and Consumer. The revenue distribution for the three months ended September 27, 2024 is as follows:

Revenue by End Market (in millions) September 27, 2024 September 29, 2023
Cloud $2,208 $872
Client $1,209 $1,147
Consumer $678 $731
Total Revenue $4,095 $2,750

Geographical Revenue Distribution

The geographical breakdown of revenue for the same period is as follows:

Revenue by Geography (in millions) September 27, 2024 September 29, 2023
Asia $1,837 $1,551
Americas $1,690 $662
Europe, Middle East and Africa $568 $537
Total Revenue $4,095 $2,750

Cost of Revenue and Gross Profit

The cost of revenue for the three months ended September 27, 2024 was $2,544 million, resulting in a gross profit of $1,551 million, reflecting a gross margin of 37.9%. This is a substantial improvement from a gross profit of $99 million and a gross margin of 3.6% in the same period the previous year.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses for the quarter included:

  • Research and Development: $519 million
  • Selling, General and Administrative: $242 million
  • Total Operating Expenses: $809 million

Net Income

Western Digital reported a net income of $493 million for the three months ended September 27, 2024, compared to a net loss of $685 million in the prior year period. This translates to a net income per share of $1.40, up from a loss of $2.17 per share in the previous year.

Net Income Summary (in millions) September 27, 2024 September 29, 2023
Net Income (Loss) $493 ($685)
Net Income (Loss) per Common Share $1.40 ($2.17)

Key Financial Metrics

Key financial metrics for the company as of September 27, 2024 include:

Key Financial Metrics Amount
Total Debt $7,450 million
Cash and Cash Equivalents $1,705 million
Operating Cash Flow $34 million
Capital Expenditures $825 million

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Article updated on 8 Nov 2024

Resources:

  • Western Digital Corporation (WDC) Financial Statements – Access the full quarterly financial statements for Q1 2025 to get an in-depth view of Western Digital Corporation (WDC)' financial performance, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements.
  • SEC Filings – View Western Digital Corporation (WDC)' latest filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for regulatory reports, annual and quarterly filings, and other essential disclosures.