NIKE (NYSE:NKE) Coverage Initiated at Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft

Analysts at Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on shares of NIKE (NYSE:NKE) in a research note issued on Thursday. The brokerage set a “hold” rating on the footwear maker’s stock.

A number of other equities research analysts have also issued reports on NKE. Stifel Nicolaus set a $65.00 target price on shares of NIKE and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, December 19th. Robert W. Baird dropped their price objective on shares of NIKE from $93.00 to $85.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, December 19th. Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of NIKE from a “hold (c-)” rating to a “sell (d+)” rating in a report on Monday, December 29th. Sanford C. Bernstein reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $85.00 target price on shares of NIKE in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, BNP Paribas Exane dropped their price target on NIKE from $38.00 to $35.00 and set an “underperform” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, December 19th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-three have issued a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, NIKE currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $75.45.

NIKE Price Performance

Shares of NIKE stock traded up $1.05 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $64.27. 7,867,204 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 18,102,271. The stock has a market capitalization of $95.00 billion, a PE ratio of 37.83, a PEG ratio of 2.81 and a beta of 1.28. The business has a 50-day moving average of $63.42 and a 200 day moving average of $69.45. NIKE has a fifty-two week low of $52.28 and a fifty-two week high of $82.44. The company has a quick ratio of 1.40, a current ratio of 2.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50.

NIKE (NYSE:NKE) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, December 18th. The footwear maker reported $0.53 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.37 by $0.16. NIKE had a return on equity of 18.43% and a net margin of 5.43%.The firm had revenue of $12.43 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $12.19 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.78 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was up .6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts predict that NIKE will post 2.05 EPS for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CEO Elliott Hill purchased 16,388 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, December 29th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $61.10 per share, for a total transaction of $1,001,306.80. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer directly owned 241,587 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $14,760,965.70. This trade represents a 7.28% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, Director Timothy D. Cook acquired 50,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 22nd. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $58.97 per share, with a total value of $2,948,500.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director directly owned 105,480 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $6,220,155.60. This represents a 90.12% increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. In the last ninety days, insiders bought 91,229 shares of company stock worth $5,452,640. Insiders own 0.80% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On NIKE

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Mitchell Mcleod Pugh & Williams Inc. lifted its position in shares of NIKE by 1.0% during the second quarter. Mitchell Mcleod Pugh & Williams Inc. now owns 14,176 shares of the footwear maker’s stock worth $1,007,000 after purchasing an additional 134 shares in the last quarter. Main Street Financial Solutions LLC lifted its holdings in NIKE by 4.2% during the 2nd quarter. Main Street Financial Solutions LLC now owns 3,441 shares of the footwear maker’s stock worth $244,000 after buying an additional 139 shares in the last quarter. St. Clair Advisors LLC boosted its position in NIKE by 0.9% in the 3rd quarter. St. Clair Advisors LLC now owns 15,217 shares of the footwear maker’s stock valued at $1,061,000 after buying an additional 140 shares during the period. Caldwell Sutter Capital Inc. grew its stake in shares of NIKE by 6.3% in the second quarter. Caldwell Sutter Capital Inc. now owns 2,390 shares of the footwear maker’s stock worth $170,000 after acquiring an additional 142 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Salomon & Ludwin LLC grew its stake in shares of NIKE by 10.1% in the second quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC now owns 1,575 shares of the footwear maker’s stock worth $120,000 after acquiring an additional 145 shares in the last quarter. 64.25% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Key Headlines Impacting NIKE

Here are the key news stories impacting NIKE this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Sanford C. Bernstein reaffirmed a “Buy” rating on NKE with an $85 price target, signaling significant upside from current levels and supporting investor confidence. Sanford C. Bernstein Reaffirms “Buy” Rating for NIKE (NYSE:NKE)
• Positive Sentiment: Insider purchases (including reports of Tim Cook and Elliott Hill adding to positions) and reports of a coordinated insider buyback signal management/insider confidence and boost sentiment. Nike (NKE) Valuation In Focus After Insider Buying By Elliott Hill And Tim Cook
• Positive Sentiment: Bank of America reiterated a Buy rating, highlighting North America-led recovery, tighter inventory discipline and multiyear recovery potential—supporting the bullish analyst narrative. Nike: Buy Rating Backed by North America-Led Turnaround, Inventory Discipline, and Multiyear Recovery Potential
• Neutral Sentiment: Nike reportedly quietly sold RTFKT (its digital collectibles studio) after winding down the unit; the move reduces NFT exposure but company says it will keep investing in digital experiences. Nike offloads RTFKT months after investor lawsuit: Report
• Neutral Sentiment: A Benzinga piece notes an AI (ChatGPT) price projection for Nike over the next 60 days—interesting for retail traders but low informational value for fundamentals-driven investors. ChatGPT Thinks Nike Stock Will Close At This Price In The Next 60 Days
• Negative Sentiment: Royal Bank of Canada issued a pessimistic forecast for NKE, which can pressure sentiment and sentiment-driven flows despite bullish analyst notes elsewhere. Royal Bank Of Canada Issues Pessimistic Forecast for NIKE (NYSE:NKE) Stock Price
• Negative Sentiment: Analysts warn Greater China remains a drag—Zacks highlights a ~17% decline in Greater China revenue in the latest quarter, a structural headwind that limits upside until regional demand or market share stabilizes. Will China’s Structural Challenges Slow NIKE’s Global Comeback?

NIKE Company Profile

Nike, Inc (NYSE: NKE) is a global designer, marketer and distributor of athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories. Founded in 1964 as Blue Ribbon Sports by Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman and renamed Nike in 1971, the company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon. Nike develops and commercializes products across performance and lifestyle categories for sports including running, basketball, soccer and training, and is known for signature technologies and design-driven product lines.

The company markets products under several primary brands, including Nike, Jordan and Converse, and sells through a combination of wholesale relationships, branded retail stores and direct-to-consumer channels such as company-operated stores and digital platforms (e.g., Nike.com and mobile apps).