Company Update

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549     FORM 8-K     CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 5, 2024       WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)       Delaware   001-08703   33-0956711 (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)   (Commission File Number)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)   5601 Great Oaks Parkway   San Jose   California   95119 (Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code) (408) 717-6000 (Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code) Not applicable (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)     Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions ( see General Instruction A.2. below):     ☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)     ☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)     ☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))     ☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:   Title of each class   Trading Symbol(s)   Name of each exchange on which registered Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value Per Share   WDC   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (Nasdaq Global Select Market) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter). Emerging growth company ☐ If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐       Item 8.01. Other Events On March 5, 2024, Western Digital Corporation (the “Company”) provided an update on its previously announced plan to separate into two independent, publicly-traded companies (the “Spin-Off”), including initial executive leadership appointments for both companies. A copy of the press release making this announcement is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference. The executive leadership appointments are conditioned upon the completion of the Spin-Off, which is subject to Board approval and other customary conditions. Forward-Looking Statements This Current Report on Form 8-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws, including statements regarding expectations about the Spin-Off and initial executive leadership appointments for the hard disk drive technology business (the “HDD Business”) and the flash-based product business (the “Flash Business”) following the Spin-Off. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Key risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements include: operational, financial and legal challenges and difficulties inherent in implementing a separation of the Flash Business and the HDD Business; the final approval of the separation by the Company’s Board of Directors; availability of financing; execution of definitive documentation; completion of audited financials and necessary filings; receipt of opinions and/or rulings from certain third parties; ability to satisfy necessary closing conditions on a timely basis; volatility in global economic conditions; inflation; increase in interest rates and economic recession; future responses to and effects of global health crises; the impact of business and market conditions; macroeconomic conditions for the NAND and hard disk drive markets; the impact of the announced separation transaction, including with respect to customer and supplier relationships, regulatory and contractual restrictions, stock price volatility and the diversion of management’s attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities; the impact of competitive products and pricing; risks associated with cost saving initiatives, restructurings, acquisitions, divestitures, mergers, joint ventures and the Company’s strategic relationships; difficulties or delays in manufacturing or other supply chain disruptions; hiring and retention of key employees; the Company’s level of debt and other financial obligations; changes to the Company’s relationships with key customers; compromise, damage or interruption from cybersecurity incidents or other data system security risks; actions by competitors; international conflict; terrorist activities; risks associated with compliance with changing legal and regulatory requirements and the outcome of legal proceedings; and other risks and uncertainties listed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on August 22, 2023 and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 7, 2023 and February 12, 2024, to which your attention is directed. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements to reflect new information or events, except as required by law.   Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits   (d) Exhibits   Exhibit No.    Description of Exhibit 99.1    Press Release dated March 5, 2024 104    Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document). SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.       Western Digital Corporation Date: March 5, 2024     By:   /s/ Cynthia Tregillis       Cynthia Tregillis       Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary