Who Are Whirlpool and Carter’s?

Whirlpool Corporation, based in Michigan, is a global manufacturer of home appliances, including brands such as KitchenAid, Maytag, and Amana. The company’s performance closely tracks the health of the housing market and durable goods demand, both of which have softened over the past year due to higher borrowing costs and weaker new-home sales.

Carter’s, headquartered in Atlanta, is the largest branded marketer of children’s apparel in North America, with key labels including Carter’s, OshKosh B’gosh, and Skip Hop. Its sales serve as a direct reflection of family purchasing patterns, making it a valuable indicator of everyday consumer confidence.

Both companies sit at the intersection of essential and discretionary spending — durable appliances and children’s clothing — categories often affected early when household budgets tighten.

Recent Performance and Last Earnings Report

In Q2 2025, Whirlpool reported revenue of US $4.47 billion, down roughly 5 percent year-over-year, as volume softness in North America offset modest gains in Latin America and Asia. Adjusted EPS came in at US $3.10, better than expected due to aggressive cost management and margin improvement in premium product lines.

Carter’s, meanwhile, posted Q2 2025 revenue of US $700 million, a 2 percent decline compared with the prior year. Profitability improved slightly, supported by disciplined inventory control and higher online conversion rates. The company reaffirmed full-year guidance for low-single-digit revenue contraction but stable margins.

Projections and Expectations for the Upcoming Report

For Q3 2025, analysts anticipate that Whirlpool will show modest sequential growth as promotional activity supports appliance demand ahead of the holiday season. However, persistent weakness in housing and slower discretionary purchases could limit upside.

Carter’s is expected to benefit from back-to-school and early holiday shopping, though overall apparel demand remains subdued. Analysts forecast revenue around US $720 million and EPS of approximately US $1.40, reflecting steady cost control but tepid sales growth.

Analytical Outlook: Opportunities and Risks

A stronger-than-expected performance from both companies would suggest that U.S. consumers are adapting to inflation pressures by prioritizing practical and family-oriented purchases. This would indicate that household confidence, while strained, remains intact.

Conversely, any cautious commentary on demand or rising promotional intensity could reinforce concerns that middle-income households are becoming more frugal as credit conditions tighten and savings rates decline.

For Whirlpool, the focus will be on pricing power, input-cost trends, and U.S. housing data. For Carter’s, investors will look at wholesale reorders and direct-to-consumer traffic, both key signals for holiday-quarter momentum.

Conclusion

The dual earnings reports from Whirlpool and Carter’s come at a pivotal juncture for gauging the health of the American consumer. While both operate in different corners of the retail economy, their results share a common thread — how much financial flexibility remains for middle-class families under stubborn inflation and higher interest rates.

For investors and analysts, Monday’s releases may reveal more than just corporate performance. They could serve as an early indicator of how U.S. households will approach the critical holiday season — balancing necessity, affordability, and cautious optimism in an economy still adjusting to a higher-cost environment.