Western Digital reported revenue of $4.38 billion on Oct. 22, 2026, up 55% from a year earlier, as the storage company’s fiscal first-quarter sales and adjusted gross margin exceeded its previous outlook.
The company’s results announcement covers the quarter ended Oct. 2. Chief Executive Irving Tan attributed the performance to customer demand and execution. That explanation is management’s assessment.
Results above the August outlook
Western Digital reported GAAP earnings of $4.63 per diluted share and non-GAAP earnings of $4.64 per diluted share. GAAP gross margin was 57.8%, compared with an adjusted gross margin of 58.1%.
In its Aug. 5 earnings release, the company had forecast fiscal first-quarter revenue of $4 billion to $4.2 billion, adjusted gross margin of 55% to 56%, and adjusted earnings of $3.85 to $4.15 per share. The reported results exceeded the upper end of each range.
Growth builds on the previous quarter
Fiscal fourth-quarter revenue had been $3.75 billion, up 44% from a year earlier. That quarter’s adjusted gross margin was 54.4%, providing a separate sequential comparison for the latest performance.
The business consequence is stronger revenue accompanied by a wider adjusted gross margin, rather than sales growth alone. Those reported measures describe the completed quarter; they do not establish the pace of future demand.
Non-GAAP figures use company adjustments and should be distinguished from GAAP results. This report describes operating performance, not an investment recommendation.