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) January 24, 2001 WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION ----------------------------------------------------------------- (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware 1-3932 38-1490038 - ------------------------------ ------------------- --------------------- (State or other jurisdiction (Commission File (I.R.S. Employer of incorporation) Number) Identification No.) 2000 M63 North, Benton Harbor, Michigan 49022-2692 ------------------------------------------------------------ (Address of principal executive officers) (Zip Code) (616)-923-5000 -------------------------------------------------- Registrant's telephone number, including area code Item 5. Other Events ------------ On January 24, 2001, the Company issued a press release announcing its fourth quarter and full-year earnings for 2000 per diluted share of $1.00 and $5.20 respectively, in line with the revised expectations of December 13, 2000. Fourth-quarter 2000 net earnings were $67 million, down from net earnings of $113 million in the prior year. Fourth-quarter earnings per diluted share were $1.00, down 34 percent from $1.51 per diluted share in the prior year. Fourth-quarter sales of $2.6 billion were down 4 percent from the prior year. Full-year 2000 net earnings were $367 million, down from core earnings of $407 million in the prior year. Full-year 2000 earnings per diluted share were $5.20 and were down 3 percent from core earnings per diluted share of $5.35 in 1999. Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits --------------------------------- Copy of press release dated January 24, 2001. 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 hereunto duly authorized. WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION Registrant Date: January 26, 2001 By: /s/ Robert T. Kenagy -------------------------- Name: Robert T. Kenagy Title: Associate General Counsel Secretary