Whirlpool Seeks Fix for $3 Billion Debt Wall as Consumer Demand Vanishes

Just as Whirlpool Corp.’s shares languish near a 17-year low as it grapples with a sharply deteriorating outlook, the appliance maker faces a further squeeze as a wave of debt maturities loom. That’s prompting a behind-the-scenes effort to seek a debt fix that will give it more breathing room.

Citigroup Inc. is holding early discussions with investors to gauge their interest in a Whirlpool bond issue that would help the company address near-term maturities, according to people familiar with the situation.