Goldman Sachs downgraded WDC to "sell" from "neutral"
Western Digital Corp (NASDAQ:WDC) stock is having a rough day, down 9.5% at $32.42 at last glance, after Goldman Sachs downgraded the stock to "sell" from "neutral," with a price-target cut to $31 from $43. The firm cited expectations of a "severe" memory industry downturn, and pointed toward the company's balance sheet. Sachs also reiterated its "buy" rating on sector peer Micron (MU), while Evercore ISI threw in a bear note as well, slashing WDC's price target to $42 from $50.
On the charts, today's drop has WDC trading at its lowest levels since late September. Longer term, the stock's 100-day moving average has been pressuring the shares lower since June. Year-to-date, the equity is down 49.5%.
The stock has landed on the short sell restricted (SSR) list today amid the negative price action. Options bulls appear to be betting on a bounce, however, as calls are being picked up at double the intraday average rate. The December 33 call is the most popular, with new positions being bought to open there.
Analysts are leaning bearish on Western Digital stock. After today's notes, 12 analysts carry a "buy" or better rating, 14 a "hold," and three a "sell."