Sanford C. Bernstein Reiterates Buy Rating for NIKE (NYSE:NKE)

Key Points

• Sanford C. Bernstein reaffirmed a Buy rating on NIKE; across analysts 19 rate Buy, 13 Hold and 1 Sell, with a consensus price target of $64.57.
• Shares plunged about 15.0% to $44.89 on heavy volume after management issued weak guidance and warned Greater China sales will remain soft, even though Q3 results beat estimates (EPS $0.35 vs. $0.29; revenue $11.28B).
• Management is clearing "unhealthy" inventory and rebalancing wholesale vs. DTC, which is pressuring near‑term margins and has led multiple analysts to cut price targets and forecasts.

NIKE (NYSE:NKE - Get Free Report)'s stock had its "buy" rating reaffirmed by investment analysts at Sanford C. Bernstein in a report issued on Wednesday,MarketScreener reports.

A number of other research analysts have also recently commented on the company. Citigroup restated a "neutral" rating and issued a $65.00 target price (down from $70.00) on shares of NIKE in a research note on Friday, December 19th. Stifel Nicolaus set a $65.00 price objective on NIKE and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, December 19th. KeyCorp lowered their price objective on NIKE from $90.00 to $75.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their target price on shares of NIKE from $67.00 to $54.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, March 23rd. Finally, Bank of America reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and issued a $55.00 target price (down from $73.00) on shares of NIKE in a research report on Wednesday. Nineteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $64.57.

NIKE Trading Down 15.0%

Shares of NYSE NKE traded down $7.94 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $44.89. 87,936,225 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 17,079,348. NIKE has a 12-month low of $44.67 and a 12-month high of $80.17. The firm has a market cap of $66.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.42, a P/E/G ratio of 2.69 and a beta of 1.27. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $59.68 and a 200 day moving average price of $63.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50, a quick ratio of 1.40 and a current ratio of 2.06.

NIKE (NYSE:NKE - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, March 31st. The footwear maker reported $0.35 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.29 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $11.28 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.23 billion. NIKE had a net margin of 5.43% and a return on equity of 18.43%. NIKE's quarterly revenue was up .1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.54 earnings per share. As a group, analysts expect that NIKE will post 2.05 earnings per share for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On NIKE

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of NKE. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC purchased a new stake in NIKE during the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Sankala Group LLC purchased a new position in NIKE in the fourth quarter worth about $26,000. J.Safra Asset Management Corp bought a new position in shares of NIKE in the fourth quarter worth approximately $29,000. Kemnay Advisory Services Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of NIKE during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Finally, Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of NIKE during the second quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 64.25% of the company's stock.

Key Headlines Impacting NIKE

Here are the key news stories impacting NIKE this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q3 results beat estimates on both top and bottom lines (EPS $0.35 vs. ~$0.29 consensus; revenue ~$11.28B roughly in line-to-slightly-above expectations), showing the turnaround still produces tangible operational progress. NIKE, Inc. Reports Fiscal 2026 Third Quarter Results
• Neutral Sentiment: Management says the company has taken intentional actions (clearing unhealthy inventory, rebalancing wholesale vs. DTC) that pressure near‑term margins but are intended to set up later improvement — a strategic move that could pay off but delays visible recovery. Nike Takes 'Intentional' Hit To Clear 'Unhealthy Inventory' In Q3 As CEO Eyes Turnaround By Year-End
• Negative Sentiment: Weak guidance drove the selloff: Nike guided fiscal Q4 revenue to decline (company-range), below Street expectations, and warned Greater China sales will remain soft — management said the China reset could take multiple quarters. Nike Stock Sinks to Lowest Level Since 2014 as Weak Sales Outlook Spooks Investors
• Negative Sentiment: Margin pressure from tariffs, promotions and inventory actions pushed operating profit and net income materially lower year‑over‑year, undercutting confidence in a near‑term margin rebound. Nike third-quarter sales beat estimates as turnaround efforts gain traction
• Negative Sentiment: Analysts reacted quickly: multiple firms cut price targets or downgraded forecasts (Wells Fargo, Truist, Telsey and others), amplifying downward pressure and raising the risk of further revision. These Analysts Cut Their Forecasts On Nike After Q3 Results
• Negative Sentiment: Investor sentiment soured after candid executive comments about the slow turnaround — headlines and tone (including a blunt CEO remark) reinforced the view that recovery is taking longer than planned. Nike CEO vents as company struggles to regain footing after disappointing profits : ‘I'm so tired'

About NIKE

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).

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