Western Digital Corp
NASDAQ:WDC
Western Digital Corp
Western Digital Corp., a stalwart in data storage solutions, has been pivotal in shaping the digital landscape by consistently reinventing its offerings to meet the evolving needs of the modern world. Founded in 1970, the company started its journey as a semiconductor manufacturer before establishing itself as a key player in the world of data storage. Its evolution is a testament to strategic foresight and adaptability. With technological advancements, Western Digital transitioned from its humble beginnings to become a leader in producing hard disk drives (HDDs), solid-state drives (SSDs), and NAND flash memory devices, catering to both consumer and enterprise markets. The company’s intricate understanding of data storage technology has allowed it to remain resilient amidst the ever-changing tech industry, fostering innovations that align with the growing digital demands, from personal PC storage to massive data centers.
Western Digital's business model revolves around manufacturing and selling data storage devices that are integral to preserving and managing data in myriad applications. The company generates revenue through direct sales to corporations and major industries that demand reliable and high-capacity storage, such as cloud providers, data centers, and personal computing manufacturers. Additionally, Western Digital taps into the consumer electronics market by offering storage solutions directly to consumers for personal use, enhancing their digital experiences. Its comprehensive approach also involves licensing its technology and IP to other manufacturers, further diversifying its income streams. By addressing both the demand for reliable storage infrastructure and individual user’s storage needs, Western Digital maintains its stronghold in a market that remains critical for the digital economy’s backbone.
Western Digital Corp., a stalwart in data storage solutions, has been pivotal in shaping the digital landscape by consistently reinventing its offerings to meet the evolving needs of the modern world. Founded in 1970, the company started its journey as a semiconductor manufacturer before establishing itself as a key player in the world of data storage. Its evolution is a testament to strategic foresight and adaptability. With technological advancements, Western Digital transitioned from its humble beginnings to become a leader in producing hard disk drives (HDDs), solid-state drives (SSDs), and NAND flash memory devices, catering to both consumer and enterprise markets. The company’s intricate understanding of data storage technology has allowed it to remain resilient amidst the ever-changing tech industry, fostering innovations that align with the growing digital demands, from personal PC storage to massive data centers.
Western Digital's business model revolves around manufacturing and selling data storage devices that are integral to preserving and managing data in myriad applications. The company generates revenue through direct sales to corporations and major industries that demand reliable and high-capacity storage, such as cloud providers, data centers, and personal computing manufacturers. Additionally, Western Digital taps into the consumer electronics market by offering storage solutions directly to consumers for personal use, enhancing their digital experiences. Its comprehensive approach also involves licensing its technology and IP to other manufacturers, further diversifying its income streams. By addressing both the demand for reliable storage infrastructure and individual user’s storage needs, Western Digital maintains its stronghold in a market that remains critical for the digital economy’s backbone.
Strong Results: Western Digital delivered $3 billion in revenue and $2.13 EPS for Q2, both above the high end of guidance.
Cloud Demand: Cloud accounted for 89% of total revenue, with strong demand for high-capacity nearline drives driving 28% YoY cloud revenue growth.
Gross Margin Expansion: Gross margin rose to 46.1%, up 220 bps sequentially and 770 bps YoY, driven by higher-capacity drives and cost control.
Positive Outlook: Q3 revenue is guided to $3.2 billion (+/- $100M) and gross margin to 47–48%, reflecting continued strong demand.
Long-Term Contracts: Company secured firm purchase orders with top seven customers through 2026 and LTAs with major customers through 2027 and 2028.
UltraSMR Adoption: UltraSMR now exceeds 50% of nearline mix and is expected to grow, boosting margins and capacity.
HAMR Progress: Qualification of HAMR and next-gen ePMR drives started ahead of schedule, with customer interest growing.
