Whirlpool breaks free: Is this appliance giant finally heating up?

Whirlpool Corporation (WHR), the home appliance manufacturer behind brands like Maytag, KitchenAid, and Whirlpool, has been stuck in a brutal downtrend since late January 2025. But something shifted recently, and it's worth paying attention to.

The chart tells a sobering story at first glance. From a peak just below $140 in late January 2025, WHR embarked on a relentless decline that carried shares all the way down to the $65 level by late 2024. That's more than a 50% haircut in less than a year. The descent followed a clean descending trendline that acted like a ceiling every time bulls tried to push higher.

But then, the narrative changed.

From that $65 low, Whirlpool staged an impressive recovery rally, climbing over 30% to current levels around $85. What makes this move particularly interesting isn't just the magnitude—it's where the stock is trading right now. Price has pushed above that same descending trendline that's been suppressing rallies for nearly a year. Think of it like breaking through the roof that's been keeping you confined.

The technical setup here offers a textbook swing trade opportunity. With WHR now trading just above the broken trendline, a pullback to retest that line—likely somewhere in the $79-80 zone—would offer an excellent risk-defined entry point. Why? Because when resistance breaks and holds as support, it often validates the breakout and attracts fresh buying interest.

Of course, there's always the bearish scenario to consider. If Whirlpool fails to hold above this trendline and slips back below $79, it would suggest the breakout was premature—what traders call a "failed breakout" or bull trap. In that case, we could see another test of those October lows near $65.

For those eyeing a long position, patience might pay off here. Wait for that retracement to the $79-80 trendline area, watch for signs of support (strong buying candles, volume confirmation), and use a stop below $75 to keep risk manageable. If this breakout holds, there's substantial room to run back toward the $100-110 range where previous resistance levels cluster.

Whirlpool's chart is serving up a legitimate technical opportunity—one that balances clear risk parameters with meaningful upside potential.