Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) had a rough Tuesday morning. The appliance maker reported third-quarter results that missed on both the top and bottom lines, then cut its 2026 guidance to a loss, sending the stock to a fresh 52-week low before the opening bell.

Earnings Snapshot

Whirlpool posted an adjusted loss of 21 cents per share for the quarter. Analysts were looking for earnings of 80 cents per share. That's a swing of more than a dollar per share in the wrong direction.

Revenue declined 8.8% year over year to $3.677 billion, missing the analyst consensus estimate of $3.920 billion. Organic net sales declined 5.4% from a year earlier.

Despite the disappointing headline numbers, Whirlpool pointed to sequential operational improvements during the quarter, supported by price increases and cost-cutting initiatives amid challenging macroeconomic conditions.

The company also kept tight working capital controls to strengthen its balance sheet and support full-year cash flow targets. It lowered its year-end net debt forecast to less than $4.5 billion from its previous expectation of less than $5 billion.

Segment Performance

North America: Major domestic appliance sales declined 8.2% year over year, excluding currency effects, reflecting weak industry demand. EBIT margin improved sequentially, driven by price increases and structural cost reductions, partially offset by higher raw material, fuel and logistics costs. Whirlpool announced a 7% price increase in North America, effective in the fourth quarter, supported by product innovation.

Latin America: Major domestic appliance sales increased 2.5% year over year, excluding currency effects, driven by higher volumes. EBIT margin came under pressure from changes in product mix following Grupo Casas Bahia's bankruptcy reorganization. Whirlpool also announced regional price increases of up to 10%.

Small Domestic Appliances: Global small domestic appliance sales fell 0.9% year over year, excluding currency effects. Strong third-quarter retail sales and shifts in order timing contributed to an approximately 40% year-over-year increase in U.S. orders for October. The segment delivered strong EBIT margins and gained market share globally, supported by product innovation and direct-to-consumer sales.

Whirlpool Slashes 2026 Outlook

Here's where it gets ugly. Whirlpool lowered its full-year 2026 adjusted earnings outlook to a loss of $1.30 per share, compared with its previous forecast for earnings of $2.50 to $3 per share. The revised outlook was also below analysts' consensus estimate of earnings of $1.55 per share.

The company reduced its annual sales forecast to $14.5 billion from $15 billion, below the analyst consensus estimate of $14.824 billion.

Whirlpool expects approximately $700 million in cash from operating activities and $300 million in free cash flow.

To support its outlook, the company plans additional price increases across its major domestic appliance businesses in the fourth quarter, including a 7% increase in North America and increases of up to 10% in Latin America.

Chief Financial Officer Roxanne Warner said Whirlpool expects year-end 2026 net debt to remain below $4.5 billion. The company also maintained a clear debt maturity schedule through 2028.

Whirlpool Stock Sinks To 52-Week Low

WHR Price Action: Whirlpool shares were down 9.04% at $24.06 during premarket trading on Tuesday. The stock is trading at a new 52-week low, according to market data.