Western Digital Corporation (WDC)

Return on total capital

Jun 30, 2025 Mar 31, 2025 Dec 31, 2024 Sep 30, 2024 Jun 30, 2024 Mar 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Sep 30, 2023 Jun 30, 2023 Mar 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Sep 30, 2022 Jun 30, 2022 Mar 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Sep 30, 2021 Jun 30, 2021 Mar 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Sep 30, 2020
Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) (ttm) US$ in thousands 1,654,000 1,859,000 2,054,000 1,067,000 -244,000 -1,090,000 -1,819,000 -1,974,000 -1,208,000 44,000 1,011,000 2,046,000 2,660,000 2,712,000 2,425,000 1,889,000 1,184,000 722,000 646,000 512,000
Long-term debt US$ in thousands
Total stockholders’ equity US$ in thousands 5,311,000 5,406,000 12,346,000 11,643,000 10,818,000 10,121,000 10,944,000 10,113,000 10,847,000 11,611,000 12,115,000 12,107,000 12,221,000 11,984,000 12,018,000 11,361,000 10,721,000 9,949,000 9,829,000 9,576,000
Return on total capital 31.14% 34.39% 16.64% 9.16% -2.26% -10.77% -16.62% -19.52% -11.14% 0.38% 8.35% 16.90% 21.77% 22.63% 20.18% 16.63% 11.04% 7.26% 6.57% 5.35%

June 30, 2025 calculation

Return on total capital = EBIT (ttm) ÷ (Long-term debt + Total stockholders’ equity)
= $1,654,000K ÷ ($—K + $5,311,000K)
= 31.14%

The return on total capital (ROTC) for Western Digital Corporation exhibits significant fluctuations over the analyzed period, indicating substantial variability in the company's ability to generate earnings relative to its total capital base.

From September 30, 2020, the ROTC was approximately 5.35%, demonstrating modest profitability. This figure increased steadily through the subsequent quarters and years, reaching a peak of approximately 22.63% by March 31, 2022, which suggests a period of strong operational efficiency and effective capital utilization.

Following this peak, the ROTC experienced a decline, with a notable downward trend evident from the latter half of 2022 into 2023. By September 30, 2023, the ratio had fallen into negative territory at approximately -19.52%, reflecting not only diminished profitability but also potential impairment of assets, increased costs, or challenging market conditions affecting overall performance.

The negative trend persisted into the first half of 2024, with ratios approaching -10.77%, before beginning a recovery trajectory during the second half of 2024. Notably, the ratio turned positive again at 9.16% as of September 30, 2024, indicating a reversal of prior losses and an improvement in the company's ability to allocate its capital profitably.

Further projections suggest continued positive momentum, with the ROTC expected to reach approximately 34.39% by March 31, 2025, indicating a potentially robust period of profitability and capital efficiency. By June 30, 2025, the ratio remains high at around 31.14%, emphasizing an optimistic outlook based on current trends.

Overall, the analysis reflects a pattern of recovery following a period of significant decline. The fluctuating nature of the ROTC underscores the importance of examining underlying operational, market, and strategic factors influencing the company's profitability over time.


Peer comparison

Jun 30, 2025

Company name
Symbol
Return on total capital
Western Digital Corporation
WDC
31.14%
NetApp Inc
NTAP
101.63%
Pure Storage Inc
PSTG
10.27%
Seagate Technology PLC
STX