WD Updates Outlook

LAKE FOREST, Calif. -- Western Digital Corp. (NYSE: WDC - News) today provided an update to its expected results for the first quarter of fiscal 2008, which ends Sept. 28, 2007. On a standalone, non-GAAP basis, excluding the impact of its recently completed acquisition of Komag, Inc., WD now expects revenue of between $1.6 billion and $1.65 billion, gross margin of approximately 17.5 percent, operating expenses of approximately $135 million and earnings per share between $0.61 and $0.65.

WD's original outlook for the first fiscal quarter, excluding any impact of the Sept. 5, 2007, acquisition of Komag, was presented on July 26, 2007. That outlook projected revenue of between $1.45 billion and $1.5 billion, gross margin of between 15.5 percent and 16 percent, operating expenses of approximately $126 million and earnings per share between $0.43 and $0.47.

Improvements in demand, product mix and pricing thus far in the September quarter are the primary factors driving the improved outlook.

Factoring in the impact of the acquisition of Komag, WD's consolidated GAAP guidance for the September quarter is for revenue of between $1.63 billion and $1.68 billion and gross margin of approximately 17 percent. Operating expenses are expected to be approximately $195 million, including a one-time charge for in-process research and development of approximately $50 million. GAAP earnings per share is now expected to be between $0.34 and $0.38.

The company had previously indicated in late June that it expected the Komag acquisition to be accretive to earnings by the first quarter of fiscal 2009, excluding the impact of incremental depreciation and amortization of acquisition-related asset valuation adjustments. WD now expects this crossover point to occur during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, one quarter earlier than previously indicated.Western Digital Corp.