Document
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 8-K
 
 
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported) October 15, 2018
 
WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as Specified in Charter)
 
Delaware
 
1-3932
 
38-1490038
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
 
(Commission File Number)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
 
 
 
2000 North M-63,
Benton Harbor, Michigan
 
 
 
49022-2692
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
 
 
(Zip Code)
       
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (269) 923-5000
 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
¨
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
¨
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ¨

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨




Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
The information set forth in Item 8.01 below with respect to the third quarter ended September 30, 2018, of Whirlpool Corporation (the "Company") is incorporated by reference herein.
Item 8.01. Other Events
On October 15, 2018, Sears Holdings Corporation ("Sears") announced that it had filed for bankruptcy protection. As of September 30, 2018, approximately $30 million or 1% of our aggregate accounts receivable exposure was related to Sears, and we had an immaterial amount of Sears-related inventory. In addition, net sales to Sears represented less than 2% of our global net sales. We believe the Sears bankruptcy will have a very limited short-term impact on our results of operations as consumers adjust to the new retail landscape and we work through the one-time impact of accounts receivable and inventory write off; furthermore, we do not believe that the bankruptcy will materially impact our financial results over the long term. In the past, when faced with a potential volume reduction from any one particular segment of our trade distribution network, we generally have been able to offset such declines through increased sales throughout our broad distribution network. While we are planning to give an update about our Q3 financial results during our earnings call on October 25, we do not anticipate that this will have any impact on our EPS guidance.

Whirlpool Corporation Additional Information

Certain statements in this current report relating to the Company’s expectations for the financial and operational impact of this matter constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws. These statements reflect management’s current expectations regarding future events and speak only as of the date of this current report. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not, or the times at or by which, events will occur. Actual performance may differ materially from that expressed or implied in such statements.

Reference should also be made to the factors discussed under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this current report are based upon what are believed to be reasonable assumptions, investors cannot be assured that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements, and the differences may be material. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this current report and, except as expressly required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.
Website Disclosure
We routinely post important information for investors on our website, whirlpoolcorp.com, in the "Investors" section. We intend to use this webpage as a means of disclosing material, non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor the Investors section of our website, in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, presentations and webcasts. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, our webpage is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this document.






SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
Date: October 15, 2018
 
 
WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
 
 
 
 
 
By:
 
/s/ BRIDGET K. QUINN
 
Name:
 
Bridget K. Quinn
 
Title:
 
Assistant General Counsel and Corporate Secretary