Western Digital Corporation (NASDAQ:WDC) received a lot of attention from a substantial price increase on the NASDAQGS over the last few months. As a large-cap stock with high coverage by analysts, you could assume any recent changes in the company's outlook is already priced into the stock. But what if there is still an opportunity to buy? Today I will analyse the most recent data on Western Digital's outlook and valuation to see if the opportunity still exists.
View our latest analysis for Western Digital
Is Western Digital Still Cheap?
The stock seems fairly valued at the moment according to my valuation model. It's trading around 17% below my intrinsic value, which means if you buy Western Digital today, you'd be paying a reasonable price for it. And if you believe that the stock is really worth $45.30, then there's not much of an upside to gain from mispricing. Is there another opportunity to buy low in the future? Since Western Digital's share price is quite volatile, we could potentially see it sink lower (or rise higher) in the future, giving us another chance to buy. This is based on its high beta, which is a good indicator for how much the stock moves relative to the rest of the market.
What does the future of Western Digital look like?
Investors looking for growth in their portfolio may want to consider the prospects of a company before buying its shares. Although value investors would argue that it's the intrinsic value relative to the price that matter the most, a more compelling investment thesis would be high growth potential at a cheap price. However, with an extremely negative double-digit change in profit expected next year, near-term growth is certainly not a driver of a buy decision. It seems like high uncertainty is on the cards for Western Digital, at least in the near future.
What This Means For You
Are you a shareholder? WDC seems fairly priced right now, but given the uncertainty from negative returns in the future, this could be the right time to reduce the risk in your portfolio. Is your current exposure to the stock beneficial for your total portfolio? And is the opportunity cost of holding a negative-outlook stock too high? Before you make a decision on the stock, take a look at whether its fundamentals have changed.
Are you a potential investor? If you've been keeping tabs on WDC for a while, now may not be the most advantageous time to buy, given it is trading around its fair value. The price seems to be trading at fair value, which means there's less benefit from mispricing. In addition to this, the negative growth outlook increases the risk of holding the stock. However, there are also other important factors we haven't considered today, which can help crystalize your views on WDC should the price fluctuate below its true value.
In light of this, if you'd like to do more analysis on the company, it's vital to be informed of the risks involved. Be aware that Western Digital is showing 2 warning signs in our investment analysis and 1 of those is significant...
If you are no longer interested in Western Digital, you can use our free platform to see our list of over 50 other stocks with a high growth potential.
Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.
This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.