New Delhi, November 27:
Whirlpool of India witnessed one of its steepest single-day declines in recent months as the stock plunged nearly 11–13% after its promoter, Whirlpool Mauritius Limited, offloaded approximately 11.8% stake through a large block deal. The sale, estimated at close to ₹900 crore, triggered panic selling across the exchanges, making Whirlpool one of the worst-performing stocks of the day.
Market data indicated that the block deal was executed at a significant discount to the previous closing price. The offered price was reportedly around ₹1,030 per share, nearly 14% lower, which shook investor confidence. Discounted block deals often signal urgency or rebalancing at the promoter level, but such a steep markdown raised concerns about long-term promoter sentiment in the company.
Trading volumes shot up dramatically, surpassing 1.64 crore shares, compared to its typical daily average of around 10,000 shares. This sharp spike — nearly 1,500 times the usual volume — highlighted the extent of the institutional churn taking place. Several reports suggested that global funds and domestic institutions may have participated on the buy side, but retail investors reacted negatively throughout the session.
Whirlpool of India has been facing pressure on its financial performance over the past few quarters. Lower discretionary spending, subdued demand in the home appliances segment, and intensifying competition from new entrants have all contributed to slower revenue growth. The company has also been battling margin pressures due to volatile raw material costs and supply-chain disruptions.
Analysts believe that although promoter stake sales do not necessarily indicate governance or operational issues, the timing remains critical. The company’s recent quarterly results did not meet market expectations, which made investors more sensitive to any negative developments.
Consumer durables as a sector has shown mixed performance in 2025. While premium appliance makers have retained their customer base, mass-market brands have struggled due to declining disposable income and cautious consumer behaviour. Whirlpool, which largely operates in the mid-premium category, has faced the brunt of this shift.
The company, however, continues to maintain a strong distribution network, product innovation pipeline, and a stable market presence. Industry watchers believe that once the impact of the promoter sale cools off, the stock may find support from long-term investors. But for now, the sentiment remains weak.
The promoter’s remaining stake, post-sale, continues to be significant, indicating continued association with the company. Markets will closely monitor any further regulatory disclosures or promoter-level actions.