(Reuters) – Whirlpool Corp tempered its full-year profit forecast on Wednesday, signaling softening demand for its washing machines and kitchen appliances amid a cost-of-living crisis and sending its shares 5% lower in extended trading.
Consumers are cutting spending on pricier discretionary items as the cost of living rises in the United States and a series of interest rate hikes over the past year to bring down stubbornly high inflation stokes fears of an economic slowdown.
The company now expects earnings per share of about $16, compared with its previous forecast of $16 to $18.
However, the company posted third-quarter adjusted profit of $5.45 per share, above market expectations of $4.25, according to LSEG data.
The Michigan-based company also reaffirmed its annual net sales forecast at about $19.4 billion.
(Reporting by Aatrayee Chatterjee and Kannaki Deka in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D’Silva)
