About Western Digital Corporation (WDC)
Western Digital Corporation is a Computer Hardware company operating in the Technology sector. The company is headquartered in San Jose, United States. WDC has been publicly traded since 1978, giving it 48+ years of trading history.
Western Digital Corporation (WDC) has been publicly traded since 1978, making it a 48-year-old public company. It operates in the Computer Hardware industry within the Technology sector. The company is headquartered in San Jose, United States and employs approximately 40,000 people. With a market capitalization of $93 billion, WDC is a large established company.
WDC trades on the US stock exchanges (NYSE/NASDAQ) and is classified as a large-cap-cap stock with a market capitalization of approximately $93 billion. The company employs approximately 40,000 people worldwide.
Key Statistics
- Current Price
- $272.29
- Market Cap
- $93.10B
- 52-Week High
- $309.90
- 52-Week Low
- $28.83
- Sector
- Technology
- Industry
- Computer Hardware
WDC Investment Performance
WDC has gained 58.1% year-to-date in 2026. Over the past 5 years, a $1,000 investment in WDC would have grown to $5,218, representing a 421.8% total return. Since its IPO in 1978, a $1,000 investment would now be worth $400,593.
$1,000 Invested in Western Digital Corporation (WDC)
How much would $1,000 invested in WDC be worth today?
What would $1,000 invested in WDC 1 year ago be worth today?
A $1,000 investment in Western Digital Corporation (WDC) in 2025 would be worth $6,506 as of May 2026, representing a +550.6% total return.
What would $1,000 invested in WDC 3 years ago be worth today?
A $1,000 investment in Western Digital Corporation (WDC) in 2023 would be worth $9,762 as of May 2026, representing a +876.2% total return.
What would $1,000 invested in WDC 5 years ago be worth today?
A $1,000 investment in Western Digital Corporation (WDC) in 2021 would be worth $5,218 as of May 2026, representing a +421.8% total return.
What would $1,000 invested in WDC 10 years ago be worth today?
A $1,000 investment in Western Digital Corporation (WDC) in 2016 would be worth $8,373 as of May 2026, representing a +737.3% total return.
What would $1,000 invested in WDC at IPO be worth today?
A $1,000 investment in Western Digital Corporation (WDC) at IPO would be worth $400,593 as of May 2026, representing a +39959.3% total return.
Monthly Returns Heatmap
Over the past 47+ years (569 months), Western Digital Corporation (WDC) has averaged a monthly return of +2.45% with a median return of +1.19%. The stock had 296 positive months (52%) and 267 negative months (47%). The best month in WDC's history was January 2001 with a +116.6% return, while the worst was November 2000 at -45.8%. Historically, January tends to be the strongest month (averaging +15.3%), and June the weakest (-4.3%).
WDC's longest winning streak was 11 consecutive months of gains, while its longest losing streak was 7 consecutive months of losses. The best full year was 2001 with a cumulative return of +170.4%, and the worst was 1999 at -97.8%.
Annual Returns
Over 48 years of trading history, Western Digital Corporation (WDC) has delivered an average annual return of +36.80% with a median return of +11.90%. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is +13.71%. The stock posted gains in 28 years (58%) and losses in 20 years (42%).
WDC's best year was 2009 with a +285.59% gain, while the worst was 1999 at -72.20%. The longest streak of consecutive positive years was 5, and the longest losing streak was 5 years. WDC achieved double-digit gains (10%+) in 24 years. It suffered double-digit losses in 15 years.
| Year | Return | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +58.14% | $172.19 | $272.29 |
| 2025 | +283.68% | $44.88 | $172.19 |
| 2024 | +13.86% | $39.41 | $44.88 |
| 2023 | +65.99% | $23.74 | $39.41 |
| 2022 | -51.62% | $49.08 | $23.74 |
| 2021 | +17.73% | $41.69 | $49.08 |
| 2020 | -10.89% | $46.78 | $41.69 |
| 2019 | +77.14% | $26.41 | $46.78 |
| 2018 | -51.90% | $54.90 | $26.41 |
| 2017 | +19.83% | $45.82 | $54.90 |
| 2016 | +17.48% | $39.00 | $45.82 |
| 2015 | -44.27% | $69.98 | $39.00 |
| 2014 | +33.99% | $52.23 | $69.98 |
| 2013 | +100.83% | $26.01 | $52.23 |
| 2012 | +39.07% | $18.70 | $26.01 |
| 2011 | -8.70% | $20.48 | $18.70 |
| 2010 | -23.22% | $26.68 | $20.48 |
| 2009 | +285.59% | $6.92 | $26.68 |
| 2008 | -62.10% | $18.25 | $6.92 |
| 2007 | +47.65% | $12.36 | $18.25 |
| 2006 | +9.94% | $11.24 | $12.36 |
| 2005 | +71.68% | $6.55 | $11.24 |
| 2004 | -8.06% | $7.12 | $6.55 |
| 2003 | +84.51% | $3.86 | $7.12 |
| 2002 | +1.91% | $3.79 | $3.86 |
| 2001 | +157.23% | $1.47 | $3.79 |
| 2000 | -41.79% | $2.53 | $1.47 |
| 1999 | -72.20% | $9.10 | $2.53 |
| 1998 | -5.86% | $9.67 | $9.10 |
| 1997 | -43.74% | $17.18 | $9.67 |
| 1996 | +218.18% | $5.40 | $17.18 |
| 1995 | +6.72% | $5.06 | $5.40 |
| 1994 | +83.56% | $2.76 | $5.06 |
| 1993 | +5.80% | $2.61 | $2.76 |
| 1992 | +228.57% | $0.79 | $2.61 |
| 1991 | -46.15% | $1.47 | $0.79 |
| 1990 | -41.79% | $2.53 | $1.47 |
| 1989 | -43.22% | $4.46 | $2.53 |
| 1988 | -9.23% | $4.91 | $4.46 |
| 1987 | -12.16% | $5.59 | $4.91 |
| 1986 | +76.19% | $3.17 | $5.59 |
| 1985 | +21.74% | $2.61 | $3.17 |
| 1984 | -4.17% | $2.72 | $2.61 |
| 1983 | +94.59% | $1.40 | $2.72 |
| 1982 | -30.19% | $2.00 | $1.40 |
| 1981 | -32.91% | $2.98 | $2.00 |
| 1980 | +229.17% | $0.91 | $2.98 |
| 1979 | +60.00% | $0.57 | $0.91 |
WDC Investment Analysis: Valuation, Risk & Dividends
Key factors to consider when evaluating Western Digital Corporation as an investment
Valuation
WDC currently trades at a trailing P/E ratio of 25.7, which is considered high relative to the broader market. The forward P/E of 20.2 suggests analysts expect earnings to be lower in the coming year. The price-to-book ratio stands at 13.0. The price-to-sales ratio is 8.7.
Dividends
Western Digital Corporation pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 0.18%. This translates to $0.50 per share annually. The payout ratio of 3% indicates sustainable dividend coverage.
Risk & Volatility
WDC has a beta of 1.85, indicating it is significantly more volatile than the overall market. The stock's 52-week range is $28.83 to $309.90, and it currently trades near its 52-week high.
Analyst Ratings
Based on 23 analyst opinions, WDC has a consensus "buy" rating. The average price target of $321.00 suggests 17.9% upside from current levels.
Frequently Asked Questions: WDC
What sector is WDC in? ▼
WDC operates in the Technology sector, specifically in the Computer Hardware industry. This sector includes companies involved in software, hardware, semiconductors, and IT services.
How has WDC performed historically? ▼
Over 48 years of trading history, WDC has posted gains in 28 years (58% of the time). The best year was 2009 with a +285.6% return. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
How can I invest in WDC? ▼
You can invest in WDC through any brokerage account that offers access to US stock exchanges. Popular options include commission-free brokers like Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Robinhood (US), or international brokers like Interactive Brokers. You can buy individual shares or invest through ETFs that hold WDC.
Does WDC pay dividends? ▼
Western Digital Corporation pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 0.18%. This translates to $0.50 per share annually. The payout ratio of 3% indicates sustainable dividend coverage.
What does Western Digital Corporation do? ▼
Western Digital Corporation is a Computer Hardware company operating in the Technology sector. The company is headquartered in San Jose, United States.
What sector is WDC in? ▼
WDC operates in the Technology sector, specifically in the Computer Hardware industry.
When did WDC go public? ▼
Western Digital Corporation went public in 1978, making it a 48-year-old public company as of 2026.
How much would $1,000 invested in WDC 5 years ago be worth today? ▼
A $1,000 investment in WDC five years ago would be worth approximately $5,218 today, representing a 421.8% return.
How much would $1,000 invested in WDC 10 years ago be worth today? ▼
A $1,000 investment in WDC ten years ago would be worth approximately $8,373 today, representing a 737.3% total return over the decade.
What is WDC's 3-year return? ▼
Over the past 3 years, WDC has returned 876.2%. A $1,000 investment would have grown to $9,762.
How much would $1,000 invested in WDC at IPO be worth today? ▼
If you invested $1,000 in WDC at its IPO in 1978, it would be worth approximately $400,593 today, a 39,959.3% return over 48 years.
Does WDC pay dividends? ▼
Yes, Western Digital Corporation pays a dividend with a current yield of 0.18%, which is $0.5 per share annually.
What is WDC's market cap? ▼
Western Digital Corporation has a market capitalization of $93 billion, classifying it as a large-cap company.
What is WDC's P/E ratio? ▼
WDC has a trailing P/E ratio of 25.7 and a forward P/E of 20.2, which measures how much investors are paying per dollar of earnings.
Is WDC a buy, hold, or sell? ▼
Based on 23 opinions, WDC has a consensus "buy" rating. The average price target is $321.0.
Last updated: 3/14/2026