New York, Feb 9, 2026, 11:32 EST — Markets running in the regular session.
- Western Digital shares climbed 2.7% in late morning trade
- The company, according to an SEC filing, has funded the redemption of its 4.750% senior notes maturing in 2026.
- U.S. jobs numbers and inflation figures are on investors’ radar later this week.
Western Digital Corporation jumped 2.7% to $290.29 late Monday morning after announcing it had set aside cash to redeem its 4.750% senior notes due 2026, wiping out a looming maturity. Shares have traded from $272.21 up to $290.96 so far today. 1
Western Digital said in its filing that it placed enough cash with U.S. Bank, National Association—the trustee—on Feb. 5 to cover both the redemption price and interest owed on the notes. According to the company, all obligations tied to the related indenture have now been satisfied and discharged, and the guarantors are off the hook as well. CFO Kris Sennesael signed off on the report, which is dated Feb. 9. 1
It’s all about the calendar. Tech names just took a pounding, and now investors are back to their usual lens: who’s actually got the money to chase growth without piling on more debt? “Investors are less comfortable with the amount of spending, but more comfortable with those companies that can do it with free cash flow, versus those having a pile of debt on their balance sheets,” said Art Hogan, chief market strategist at B Riley Wealth. Eyes this week are on a pair of key data drops: the delayed January nonfarm payrolls lands Wednesday, then January CPI hits Friday. 2
Western Digital’s move to redeem notes might look routine, but in this market, balance-sheet tweaks are getting outsized attention. The step also trims back refinancing chatter, especially with rate expectations prone to shifting in a hurry.
Public companies use an 8-K to quickly alert shareholders to significant events. It’s called a “current report.” 3
Western Digital makes and markets data storage gear—think hard drives for everything from personal use to big business. 4
Monday’s move struck traders as a mix—part relief, part momentum. The stock kept swinging sharply, buyers and sellers locked in a tug-of-war over price.
Still, paying down debt eats into cash reserves. Investors sometimes balk, especially if they think a company’s choosing to limit its financial wiggle room when the timing isn’t right.
There’s another wild card, and it’s external. Should this week’s data dim rate-cut prospects, tech-linked high-flyers could tumble—sometimes sharply—even when corporate headlines look positive.
Coming up, Western Digital shares might not move on storage chatter. Instead, eyes are on Washington’s data drop: payrolls land Wednesday, CPI hits Friday. Those reports could redraw the tape for the rest of February.
