Whirlpool Expects Earnings To Fall 36%

Whirlpool Corp. said it expects earnings to fall about 36 percent in the second quarter, making it the latest maker of products for the home to say earnings will be hurt by the slowing economy.

It was the second time in as many months that Whirlpool, the world’s largest maker of home appliances, reduced its expectations for the quarter. On May 9, Whirlpool warned that sales and earnings might not match year-earlier levels.

Whirlpool said it expects to earn about 70 cents a share in the quarter, less than last year’s $1.10 a share - the best quarter in the company’s history.