SCHEDULE 13G/A: FMR LLC Reports 7.0% Stake in Western Digital
Beneficial Ownership Report
FMR LLC and its affiliates, including Abigail P. Johnson, disclosed a 7.0% beneficial ownership of Western Digital Corp. common stock as of September 30, 2025.
Summary
- FMR LLC and Abigail P. Johnson reported beneficial ownership of 24,405,723.61 shares of Western Digital Corp. common stock.
- This ownership represents 7.0% of the total outstanding common stock of Western Digital Corp.
- The filing was made under Schedule 13G, indicating a passive investment intent, not for the purpose of changing or influencing control of the issuer.
- FMR LLC holds sole voting power over 23,549,762.64 shares and sole dispositive power over 24,405,723.61 shares.
- Abigail P. Johnson, as a Director, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of FMR LLC, is deemed to beneficially own the same shares due to her position and the Johnson family's controlling interest in FMR LLC.
Sentiment
Score: 6
Explanation: The filing is a routine disclosure of a significant beneficial ownership stake by a major institutional investor, FMR LLC, and its principal, Abigail P. Johnson. While not directly impacting company operations, a large, passive institutional stake can be viewed positively as a vote of confidence in the company's long-term value, hence a slightly positive score.
Positives
- Increased institutional ownership by a major investment firm like FMR LLC can signal confidence in Western Digital Corp.'s long-term prospects.
- The passive nature of the investment, as indicated by the Schedule 13G filing, suggests FMR LLC is not seeking to influence management or control, which can be viewed as a stable investment.
Risks
- The filing itself does not detail risks related to Western Digital's operations or financial health. It is a disclosure of ownership.
- For FMR LLC, the primary risk is inherent in the investment performance of Western Digital stock, subject to market fluctuations and company-specific factors.
Industry Context
This filing reflects a significant institutional investment in a leading technology company specializing in data storage solutions. Large stakes by firms like FMR LLC are common in the tech sector, indicating long-term investment strategies in companies with established market positions and potential for growth in data-driven economies.
Corporate Governance
| Change Type | Description | Effective Date | Impact Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Control Structure Disclosure | The filing details the internal control structure of FMR LLC, noting that members of the Johnson family, including Abigail P. Johnson, are predominant owners of Series B voting common shares, representing 49% of FMR LLC's voting power. A shareholders' voting agreement ensures all Series B shares are voted in accordance with the majority, potentially forming a controlling group under the Investment Company Act of 1940. | N/A | This describes the internal governance of the reporting entity (FMR LLC), not Western Digital Corp. It clarifies the beneficial ownership structure of the reporting entity. |
Stakeholder Impact
- Shareholders: Existing shareholders may view FMR LLC's significant stake as a positive signal of confidence in Western Digital's value, potentially influencing market perception and share price stability.
- Management: The passive nature of the investment (13G filing) suggests FMR LLC is not seeking to exert control or influence management decisions, allowing current management to continue executing their strategy without immediate pressure from this specific shareholder.
Key Dates
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 2023-01-03 | Effective date of Power of Attorney for FMR LLC. |
| 2023-01-10 | Date of Schedule 13G filing by FMR LLC referencing Power of Attorney. |
| 2023-01-26 | Effective date of Power of Attorney for Abigail P. Johnson. |
| 2023-01-31 | Date of Schedule 13G filing by FMR LLC referencing Abigail P. Johnson's Power of Attorney. |
| 2025-09-30 | Date of event which requires filing of this statement (reporting period end date). |
| 2025-11-04 | Date of filing of this Schedule 13G Amendment No. 4. |
Keywords
Western Digital, WDC, FMR LLC, Abigail P. Johnson, Schedule 13G, Beneficial Ownership, Institutional Investor, Common Stock, Technology, Data Storage
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