NIKE (NYSE:NKE) Rating Lowered to "Hold" at Robert W. Baird

Key Points

• Robert W. Baird downgraded NIKE from “strong buy” to “hold,” joining a broader analyst consensus that currently rates the stock “hold” with an average price target of $49.18.
• NIKE shares opened at $37.04, near their 52-week low of $36.55 and substantially below the 52-week high of $76.97, reflecting ongoing concerns about the company’s turnaround and demand outlook.
• Although quarterly earnings of $0.20 per share exceeded estimates, revenue declined 1.1% year over year to $10.97 billion, highlighting persistent growth challenges. Several executives have also sold shares under pre-arranged trading plans.

NIKE (NYSE:NKE - Get Free Report) was downgraded by stock analysts at Robert W. Baird from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a note issued to investors on Monday, Zacks reports.

Several other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports on NKE. BNP Paribas Exane reaffirmed an "underperform" rating on shares of NIKE in a report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Argus raised NIKE to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 15th. Berenberg Bank set a $49.00 target price on NIKE and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, July 3rd. China Renaissance reduced their price target on shares of NIKE from $50.30 to $47.30 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, July 2nd. Finally, CICC Research lowered their price objective on shares of NIKE from $58.00 to $44.80 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, July 2nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating, twenty-one have given a Hold rating and six have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, NIKE currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $49.18.

NIKE Trading Up 0.7%

Shares of NKE opened at $37.04 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $54.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.80 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40, a current ratio of 1.96 and a quick ratio of 1.36. NIKE has a 1 year low of $36.55 and a 1 year high of $76.97. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $40.92 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $45.00.

NIKE (NYSE:NKE - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, June 30th. The footwear maker reported $0.20 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.11 by $0.09. The firm had revenue of $10.97 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.85 billion. NIKE had a net margin of 6.70% and a return on equity of 16.54%. NIKE's revenue for the quarter was down 1.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.14 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts expect that NIKE will post 1.74 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In related news, COO Venkatesh Alagirisamy sold 3,671 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $37.59, for a total transaction of $137,992.89. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer directly owned 104,862 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,941,762.58. This represents a 3.38% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, CFO Matthew Friend sold 2,463 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $41.60, for a total transaction of $102,460.80. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 82,165 shares in the company, valued at $3,418,064. This trade represents a 2.91% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 14,974 shares of company stock worth $600,126. Insiders own 1.10% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Cornerstone Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in NIKE by 4.4% during the fourth quarter. Cornerstone Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,970 shares of the footwear maker's stock valued at $253,000 after purchasing an additional 169 shares in the last quarter. Blue Bell Private Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in NIKE by 14.1% in the fourth quarter. Blue Bell Private Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,416 shares of the footwear maker's stock worth $90,000 after purchasing an additional 175 shares in the last quarter. CYBER HORNET ETFs LLC raised its holdings in NIKE by 5.6% in the fourth quarter. CYBER HORNET ETFs LLC now owns 3,466 shares of the footwear maker's stock worth $221,000 after purchasing an additional 185 shares in the last quarter. TCM Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of NIKE by 1.8% during the fourth quarter. TCM Advisors LLC now owns 11,218 shares of the footwear maker's stock valued at $715,000 after buying an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Finally, FAS Wealth Partners Inc. lifted its position in shares of NIKE by 4.2% during the first quarter. FAS Wealth Partners Inc. now owns 6,109 shares of the footwear maker's stock valued at $323,000 after buying an additional 249 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 64.25% of the company's stock.

NIKE News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting NIKE this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Some insiders have purchased NIKE shares, while the stock’s approximately 4% dividend yield and depressed valuation could attract contrarian investors. However, insider activity overall remains mixed. Nike Stock Opinions on Long-Term Performance Challenges
• Neutral Sentiment: Investors are looking ahead to NIKE’s earnings report early next month, which could provide an important update on demand trends, China, margins, and progress under the turnaround plan. Should You Buy Nike Stock Before October 1?
• Neutral Sentiment: Despite the recent selloff, some market participants believe extremely negative sentiment could create upside if NIKE delivers better-than-expected results or restores growth. Analysts’ price targets remain widely dispersed, reflecting significant uncertainty.
• Negative Sentiment: Citigroup lowered its price target from $45 to $39 and retained a neutral rating, signaling limited confidence in a rapid recovery despite projected upside from the current level.
• Negative Sentiment: NIKE faces weak consumer demand, ongoing China challenges, and mounting concerns about its turnaround. The stock has fallen more than 75% from its high and is down roughly 40% in 2026, making it one of the Dow’s weakest performers. NKE Stock Slips as Turnaround Struggles Mount
• Negative Sentiment: Institutional positioning has been unfavorable: more funds reduced their holdings than added shares in the latest quarter, while reported large-stake reductions have reinforced selling pressure. Nike Stock Plummets Following Institutional Selloff
• Negative Sentiment: Recent quarterly revenue declined about 1.1% year over year, underscoring the growth problem investors want management to solve. While earnings exceeded expectations, the broader sales trend remains a concern.

NIKE Company Profile

NIKE, Inc is a global athletic footwear, apparel and equipment company headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon. The company designs, develops and markets products under the NIKE, Jordan and Converse brands, serving athletes and consumers across a broad range of sports and lifestyle categories.

NIKE's offerings include athletic and casual footwear, sportswear, apparel, accessories and athletic equipment. The company distributes its products through company-owned retail stores, digital platforms, wholesale partners and independent distributors.

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