Western Digital Corporation (WDC) experienced a significant stock increase of 14.4% in pre-market trading on October 25, 2024, following the release of better-than-expected earnings and strong demand in the cloud sector. Despite concerns regarding its flash business and slightly negative free cash flow, analysts noted that the company's nearline hard disk drive (HDD) shipments reached a record high, growing 157% year-over-year, contrasting with Seagate Technology's (STX) 95% growth. The anticipated spin-off of WDC's flash business is expected to be publicly detailed in the coming months, with the spin-off projected to occur around late January 2025, coinciding with the company's typical reporting schedule for its December quarter. Additionally, the ongoing delays in Seagate's HAMR qualifications and structural improvements for HDDs have contributed positively to WDC's performance.