Whirlpool eliminates its dividend and cut its forecast citing tariffs, inflation, and debt.
Higher Prices Coming
The Wall Street Journal reports Whirlpool’s Stock Drops 20% as Company Warns Higher Prices Are Coming
For much of America, the Iran war has meant pain at the pump. For Whirlpool (WHR) it has caused what it calls a “recession-level industry decline,” and higher appliance prices are coming as a result.
The Michigan-based maker of refrigerators and washing machines said Wednesday that it would suspend its dividend as it focuses on paying down debt. The company also cut its full-year earnings guidance roughly in half, from $6 a share to a range of $3 to $3.50. Whirlpool stock dropped by 20% in premarket trading.
Chief Financial Officer Roxanne Warner said U.S. consumer confidence nosedived to historically low levels, driven by worries over the rising cost of living, after the war began Feb. 28.
The anemic housing market has made matters worse, company officials have said. Though shoppers still replaced aging or broken appliances with modestly priced equivalents, they shied away from the company’s higher price, more profitable models.
Warner said the company was further hurt by the Supreme Court’s decision to invalidate the Trump administration’s emergency tariffs. Following the decision, she said, rivals cut their prices in anticipation of receiving refunds.
Warner said a new tariff policy announced in April, applying a flat 25% levy on the total value of imported appliances, would give Whirlpool the advantage it has long predicted over its foreign competitors. The company makes 80% of its products for the U.S. market domestically.
Whirlpool reduced its discounts on many products in April to make up for what it said were three years of cost inflation it hadn’t passed on to consumers. Atypically, its competitors swiftly followed the effective price hike with their own increases, which Warner said was a sign that higher prices were sustainable.
The company plans to increase list prices for its appliances by about 4% in July.
Whirlpool Cheers Trump’s New 25 Percent Tariffs
Well, don’t worry because Trump says China pays the tariffs. Whirlpool needs that 25 percent to have an advantage it “long predicted”.
Trump would be proud that Whirlpool do not pass on costs of Trump-sponsored inflation for three years. How patriotic.
And the announce 4 percent hike is another one of those small prices we need to pay. Please put on your MAGA hat and get in line with JD Vance.
Higher Prices Are Welcome
” … where you have to do what woke corporations want you to do to be able to live a decent life in this country. That’s not freedom. We have to choose. Do we want freedom? Do we want an American way of life? Or do we want short term satisfaction for every little thing? We’re increasingly in a situation where we are gonna have to We’re gonna have to choose between one or the other. We’re gonna have to get a little uncomfortable on some of these things. Or maybe we’re gonna have to be willing to pay a little more for certain consumer goods. We may even have to be willing to attack some of the companies financially that are waging war on the American people. That’s tough but I don’t see any other way out of this.“
Vance’s Elizabeth Warren Imitation
Amazing. Except for the initial reference to woke corporations that does not tie into anything else Vance said, he now sounds like Elizabeth Warren on corporate greed.
Vance blames price-gouging companies without stating that explicitly. And he proposes attacking companies that are “waging war on the American people,” apparently for making too much money. Warren would be proud.
Importantly, “there is no way out of this” so “maybe we’re gonna have to be willing to pay a little more for certain consumer goods.” Warren would not be proud of that.
I need to make a lot of notes from that video because it must makes sense in some alternate universe.
Whirlpool Employees
Year Global Employees Change from Prior Year
2018 92,000 —
2019 77,000 -15,000 (-16.3%)
2020 78,000 +1,000 (+1.3%)
2021 69,000 -9,000 (-11.5%)
2022 61,000 -8,000 (-11.6%)
2023 59,000 -2,000 (-3.3%)
2024 44,000 -15,000 (-25.4%)
2025 41,000 -3,000 (-6.8%)Those are international employees. Whirlpool does not post US totals but estimates are ~20,000.
Whirlpool is struggling to say the least.
Whirlpool Notes
- Whirlpool Corporation employs approximately 20,000 people in the United States. prosperousamerica.org
- This figure comes from recent company statements and reports (as of 2025–early 2026). It includes about 14,000 manufacturing workers across roughly 10–11 U.S. production plants. whirlpoolcorp.com
- Whirlpool is a major steel user due to appliance manufacturing (e.g., washers, dryers, refrigerators, ranges). It sources ~96% of its U.S. steel domestically.
- Individual appliances typically contain dozens to low hundreds of pounds of steel (e.g., a washing machine might have 100–200+ lbs, varying by model). With Whirlpool producing/selling millions of units annually (primarily in North America and Latin America), total steel use is likely in the hundreds of thousands of tons per year globally, with a significant portion in the U.S.
- Steel costs are frequently cited as a major input (along with resins, copper, and aluminum) that can impact margins, especially with tariff or price fluctuations. whirlpoolcorp.com
- Aluminum is used in components like heat exchangers, housings, and some panels, but in smaller volumes than steel.
Sourcing Details
- Disclaimer in company materials: Whirlpool explicitly notes that “Domestic and imported components are used in the manufacturing of products.” They do not publish a detailed public breakdown of specific foreign parts or exact percentages due to competitive sensitivity. whirlpoolcorp.com
- Common foreign-sourced items (based on industry norms for appliances and Whirlpool’s 10-K risk disclosures):
- Electronics and controls: Circuit boards, sensors, displays, and smart/connected features (often from Asia, e.g., China).
- Motors and compressors: Especially specialized or energy-efficient models (sourced from various global suppliers, including in Mexico, China, and other countries; Whirlpool has historically had ties to Brazilian compressor tech via past Embraco ownership).
- Semiconductors and electronic components: Frequently cited in supply chain disruption reports (global shortages have impacted Whirlpool).
- Other parts: Plastics/resins, certain wiring harnesses, valves, pumps, fans, and specialized hardware where cost or technology favors overseas suppliers.
- Major foreign production/supply footprints: Mexico (several plants and suppliers, used for both local and export), China, and other Asian/European sources for components. They have shifted some production (e.g., certain lines from U.S./China to Mexico for supply chain efficiency). whirlpoolcorp.com
Should Whirlpool Praise Tariffs?
Whirlpool praises tariffs on appliances.
But Whirlpool does not praise tariffs on steel, aluminum, electronics, motors, compressors, semiconductors, plastics, and other parts.
Whirlpool would be much better off if Trump eliminated all tariffs.
Instead, Whirlpool complained it had to eat inflation for three years.
Small Price to Pay
Along with prices increases on gasoline, jet fuel, fertilizer, aluminum, steel, diesel, airline tickets, tools, autos, and countless intermediate goods, a four percent price in appliances is a small price for consumers to pay.
Please make a note of that.
Specifically, please note this: “Or maybe we’re gonna have to be willing to pay a little more for certain consumer goods. We may even have to be willing to attack some of the companies financially that are waging war on the American people. That’s tough but I don’t see any other way out of this.“
Is that a great midterm election proposal or what? It’s quite patriotic. Republicans need to run with it.
Q: Why?
A: Jobs. Just look at all the manufacturing jobs we are going to gain.
Q: Where?
A: I posted the results previously.
Manufacturing Is the Biggest Net Loser in Jobs, 5 Quarters Total
Manufacturing Jobs Gains and Losses by Quarter Details
- 2024 Q3: -79,000
- 2024 Q4: -55,000
- 2025 Q1: -37,000
- 2025 Q2: -69,000
- 2025 Q3: -100,000
Wait, I thought you said gains.
I did. Those losses are all the fault of Biden and Obama.
The gains are coming.
For more discussion and charts please see Manufacturing Is the Biggest Net Loser in Jobs, 5 Quarters Total
Reflections on Tariffs
Trump’s tariffs are an expansion of Biden’s tariffs, which were themselves a continuation of Trump’s tariffs.
So regarding manufacturing, please give Trump credit for 2024 as well.
There is no doubt Trump’s tariffs have clobbered small businesses.
Well, that’s OK because this is all a small price to pay for stopping Iran from getting a bomb that we already prevented, and also to revive manufacturing that needs revival from tariffs.
Meanwhile please reflect on the fact that Whirlpool employs 20,000 people in the US while 347 million people use appliances.
Allegedly, we are all better off if 347 million people pay a little more for literally everything. It might even save a few jobs at Whirlpool (or not when we employ more robots to counter union wages).
China and Asia produce products that are competitive on a global basis for 8 billion consumers. Trump wants US companies that are only competitive in a closed, protected and high price market of our 350 million consumers.
Isolationism of this nature is willful economic stupidity!
In reality, our nation must compete globally instead of alienating our trading partners, allies and what are becoming former friends.
So Whirlpool appliances are made by members of the IUE-CWA and UAW unions. Notice whenever pay is too high, then cost must come down in parts and availability, it’s because of Inflation, tariffs, the daily temperature (oops, )the Unions are losing money, quick do something. How come the Unions never get a pay decrease, like every other job in America.
We get this crap with the Teachers Unions all the time. The kids grades are going down, and learning ability is spiraling with students left not knowing what to do. We need more tools for the teachers. More education for the teachers, less hours would help the Teacher’s a lot, and Raises, as they need more money to get by, and be comfortable in the class room, that they can truly give it there all. This whole test scores rot, less students graduate, and many that do, are not nearly efficient in English, math, science etc. but they know how to Protest, March with a sign (don’t know what it says or means), or send info about ICE out to the illegals etc. Some Teachers even help with this I am told, but I don’t go to class…
I digress, but back to the unionized workers, including those in the IUE-CWA and UAW, have seen significant pay increases in recent years. For example, union contracts in 2023 included the highest average pay raise since at least 1988, with an average increase of 6.6% from the previous year. Additionally, GE employees received a 5% pay raise in 2025.
So just simply by chance, do these constant raises and benefits by the unions, and the contracts with the management etc. have anything to do with the need to Raise Prices? Increases in union contracts, but never a decrease like in the real world? Why do we even have Unions at this point in America. Was their purpose always to promote higher pay for the union leaders and all the workers too? Is that why Unions get paid so much? So they can charge so much for there products? Are there products worth that much more than non-Union shops? What does the person paying for what they make gain from unions? A better product, better materials, better laws in place for assembly, and shelf life? Why again?
I hear this crap far too often, and still don’t understand much of it, and neither do a lot of older Union Workers, like many members of my family were, but many are deceased now. The World has changed for the reason, causes, and need for Unions. Now they seem more like a Political Army, a reason for much higher cost for what they produce, and a source of money movement for power structures to exist, JS…
The U.S. and Iran could be close to an “interim” deal on the war, Pakistani officials told The Guardian on Thursday.
I think if Iran rejects its proposal, the US is likely to attack again after the markets close for the weekend
Trump has
neverrarely kept his word, honored contracts or treaties. Why would Iran agree to anything?It’s a trap any way Iran looks at it.
I’m no friend of Iran’s theocracy, but Trump and BiBi are vicious war criminals.
Israel should keep in mind that only 4% of Irans water supply comes from de-salinization plants. For Israels population? 70% comes from de-salinization.
If these theocracies continue on their path, a whole lotta death is on the way for the Middle East and Western Asia.
In Jan., I’d get $100. $30 went into the tank, $50 to groceries, $20 leftover. Today $100, $45 into tank, $55 to groceries, $0 leftover. This is what winning feels like!
Tip to beat inflation: tree bark is free and supplies all the nutrients humans need if eaten in sufficient quantities. Hungry? Find the closest tree and start gnawing. (I posted this joke a while back here, but I think it’s going to become reality soon.)
The Long Journey From the Strait of Hormuz to the Gas Tank
The Long Journey From the Strait of Hormuz to the Gas Tank – The New York Times
I guess you could say Whirlpool is… circling the drain!
better than the samsung slop. There are no built-for-the-long-term appliances unless you go up a category to SpeedQueen or allegedly Miele.
Bosh, Wolf, Miele, Viking, Sub-Zero, Fisher Paykel all make great appliances.
Go to Home Depot or Lowes for the junk level products…
I stay away from their products due to quality concerns. I wonder if the drop in quality has any influence. 🤔
Also, Trump’s recent 10% tariffs are declared illegal by Trade Court.
3rd time the US has attacked Iran during negotiations
Gonna be a long time to re-open the Strait
Iranian Reaction
A spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters says the US has violated the ceasefire by targeting an Iranian oil tanker moving from Iranian coastal waters in the Jask region towards the Strait of Hormuz, as well as another ship entering the Strait of Hormuz opposite the UAE port of Fujairah, according to Iran’s IRIB broadcaster.In a statement, the spokesperson said the US also “carried out airstrikes on civilian areas in cooperation with some countries in the region on the coasts of Khamir, Sirik and Qeshm Island”.
Iran’s military “also immediately and in retaliation attacked American military vessels east of the Strait of Hormuz and south of Chabahar port, causing significant damage to them,” the statement read.
The spokesperson warned the US and its allies that Iran “will give a crushing response to any aggression… without the slightest hesitation”.
I don’t think we are negotiating yet. We might sign an MOU in order to begin negotiations. But we will see if negotiations are possible since the US did launch a limited attack on Iran. And the US also says that this does not breach the ceasefire. Wow!
move to iran and let us know how it goes.
Your comments are shite
too close to home for ya, champ?
I challenge you, Mish, to find the Vance quote in full context. It is from before the election of November 2024 and has nothing to do with this stupid Trump war & the present inflation. Nothing!
He is almost certainly talking about boycotting corporations guilty of woke behavior such as DEI hiring–to wit, hiring based on race–and contributing to BLM and ADL and other hate groups. He is recommending virtuous and peaceful behavior in response to the woke actions of particular corporations. Has nothing in common with Elizabeth Warren.
This is beneath you, Mish. There are plenty in the Trump administration more worthy of criticism on firm bases.
Israel loves Netanyahu, according to election polls
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/426737
Synagogue of Satan
It is even easier to manipulate the public when censorship if fully legal as in Israel.
Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have lifted restrictions on the U.S. military’s use of their bases and airspace imposed after the start of the American operation to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
I think Project Freedom is back on.
The “restrictions” were a headfake so that the Americans could try to get another suckerpunch in.
Peace in our time…not a war
In the last few minutes
Israeli Army Radio correspondent Doron Kadosh:
“Iran reportedly struck a U.S. destroyer near the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for earlier U.S. action against Iranian tankers. Israel is monitoring the situation closely”
Massive air defense activity is being observed across multiple locations in Tehran at this time.
Israeli outlet Israel Hayom confirms that a clash occurred between U.S. and Iranian forces in the Strait of Hormuz after the American side allegedly attempted to seize an Iranian tanker
Powerful explosions are being reported in Jamaran, in the Alborz Mountains near Tehran.
Three explosion sounds were heard in western Tehran a few minutes ago.
BREAKING: The United States carried out strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Port and Bandar Abbas but a senior U.S. official says this is NOT a restart of the war. – Fox News.
Is that why oil and treasury yields are up…Lol. Time to load up the profit canon.
Reports are emerging that positions of Iranian military forces in the port area of Bandar Abas,soutern Iran,are being bombed by American aircraft
Sounds like Whirlpool loaded up on short-term debt for stock buybacks and now has to roll it over at much higher interest rates. Us plebes need to pay more to help those poor Wall Street billionaires get an acceptable return on their “investments”.
buy floor models and an extended warranty.
Junk by C-Suite design for past ~ 20+ years. Not your granddaddy’s Whirlpool, Amana, Maytag appliances. Likewise Frigidaire and GE.
Efficiency regulation is the driver of this (energy, water, Freon coolants etc). Modern appliances are much better than those 20 or 30 years ago at saving on water / electricity / non-harmful coolants etc. Regulations forced this.
Agreed, great point. I have Speed Queen W&D from ~ 5 years ago with the goofy agitation. Those from about 20 years earlier which I unfortunately left behind in a prior house had superior standard agitation. Never needed a repair on either set, though.
Could someone explain how DEI is destroying your “American way of life?”
Beating on DEI for anything other than some unproven BS is just simple minded reductionist fallacy. Pure Dunning-Kruger simplistic boogeyman ignorance. God forbid they actually have to think of anything rational.
The Justice Department has found that UCLA’s medical school engaged in illegal race-based discrimination in admissions, favoring Black and Hispanic applicants over their White and Asian peers, which resulted in lower academic qualifications for those admitted. This conclusion follows a year-long investigation and is part of a broader crackdown on diversity-based admissions practices across U.S. universities.
So no effect on your way of life.
Especially before Nov’24, but even now, many thousands of white and Asian males have had their careers foreclosed by being denied entrance to colleges, jobs, and promotions in favor of people with less qualifications but the preferred race or gender.
If you are having to choose a doctor going forward, your best bet is to choose an older doc, who came through before DEI gripped America by the gonads.
So no effect on your way of life.
go cry to the karens in your hr dept.
Again, worthless comment. Why do you bother? Your comments are so lame that you don’t even get downvotes, just… nothing. The best you can hope for is someone pointing out how useless they are.
you cry a lot. your ssri’s probably need adjustment.
I recall Maytag “The dependability people” had an ad where they showed a bored repairman ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frBJS_XHPkg ) and now they are owned by Whirlpool.
However it is sad to see how the Govt is decimating what is left of American industry.
“The Maytag Repairman” has been replace Manuel Labour from Mexico.
Manuel Labor has been replaced by the landfill model.
As in none of them are designed to be repaired so they end up in a landfill.
As I drive across America I see what I call the Way-Mart mountain range.
Huge landfills where our disposable products go when they fail early.
its all moot for when this hits…….California leaders report four to six weeks worth of gasoline and diesel in supply
Epstein Fury Day 69
nice
BREAKING: 11 KC130 tankers in the air, attacks imminent
Watch the headlines fly once the markets close
Bye bye Yanbu
“Well, that’s OK because this is all a small price to pay for stopping Iran from getting a bomb that we already prevented” I don’t believe that for a second and common sense would indicate a radical islamic regime with hunderds of thousands of their own citizens death on their hand and countless american casualties due to their terrorist activities is going to fucking lie and cover this up.
Iran is not a “radical Islamic regime”. It is a regular Islamic regime. Nor have they killed hundreds of thousands of their own citizens, nor have they had their hand in any American deaths.
Delusional. You go with that WTF unbelievable
You rely altogether on a few cynical maxims which are not true.
You are obviously one of them. This is why I agree with Trump on one of the few things he said back in 2016 when he ran. He said out loud what everybody was thinking stop all Islamic immigration into the us. Three cheers for that one
From jewelers to health tech, CEOs want tariff refunds as earnings take a hit
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/06/tariff-refunds-earnings-hit-pandora-philips.html
LOL I am sure your commenter is delighted to see JD squawking in this thread instead about people paying more for stuff out of their sense of patriotism and love of Trump.*chuckles*
Just buy a robot.
Probably related to the housing market somewhat… fewer boomer tombs with 30 year old appliances that need replacement are getting purchased.
Speed Queen makes the best washers and dryers — hands down, no comparison
Hmm… sounds suspiciously woke.
I have read and realized that the best way to choose a particular appliance is to find out how many service calls over time the appliance has had
I disagree.
Miele makes the best washers and dryers.
Correct but their prices reflect it. When first married bought Maytags and they lasted 30 years. Now not so much