Whirlpool Forecasts Annual Loss as Third-Quarter Sales Fall 8.8%

Whirlpool said on Monday, October 26, that third-quarter sales fell 8.8% from a year earlier and that it expects a full-year loss, as weaker appliance demand and higher costs continue to pressure its business.

The US-based manufacturer reported $3.677 billion in net sales for the quarter ended September 30, down from $4.033 billion a year earlier. The company recorded a net loss of $249 million attributable to common shareholders, compared with a $73 million profit in the corresponding 2025 quarter. Its diluted loss was $3.80 per share, compared with earnings of $1.29.

On an adjusted basis, Whirlpool reported a loss of $0.21 per share, compared with adjusted earnings of $2.09 a year earlier. Its ongoing operating profit margin declined to 2.6% from 4.5%. Adjusted figures exclude certain items and are not directly interchangeable with the reported accounting results.

North American major-appliance sales declined 8.3%, while sales in the corresponding Latin American business rose 6.9%. Whirlpool said weak North American demand, rising costs and a customer bankruptcy reorganization in Latin America affected performance.

The company expects full-year 2026 net sales of about $14.5 billion, a GAAP loss of approximately $4.95 per diluted share and an adjusted loss of approximately $1.30 per diluted share. It also projects approximately $300 million in free cash flow for the year, a forecast that depends on fourth-quarter operations and working-capital management.

Whirlpool announced a 7% price increase for major domestic appliances in North America and increases of up to 10% in Latin America during the fourth quarter. The measures may support margins but could also affect demand.

The earnings announcement was released after the US stock market closed on October 26. Management's forecasts and planned price actions should not be treated as results already achieved.