Wasteland Capital
Global Markets Investor, US, UK & European Assets
Nike is a stagnant company losing pricing power, pointing to more tough years for shareholders. Revenue fell 4% last quarter, the only line still shrinking while gross margin expanded, inventory fell 3% and North America grew 2%, per the quoted post. x.comÂ
Nike, like other apparel makers, is uninvestable because a durable moat is near impossible in this business. Consumer preferences keep changing, requiring constant new marketing to keep people excited, and making a physical product leaves an inherently low-margin business with little long-term pricing power. A major turnaround is possible, but the business model gives no confidence in its long-term strength. x.comÂ
Nike's brand concerns look priced in; stabilization, not sudden revenue acceleration, is what the speculative long needs. A few good campaigns and a return to large stores could help, though China consumers will be a drag. Short-term EPS is a poor indicator, and customers may return after trying other brands. x.com x.comÂ
Nike just can't compete the way it used to: it no longer captures the market it once did, and that clearly isn't changing any time soon. The post-earnings reaction went as expected, with the stock already at its lowest since 2014 going in. x.com x.comÂ
Nike destroyed its brand with its direct-to-consumer push during Covid, one of the dumbest strategic mistakes by any megacap. Pulling Nike shoes from stores let consumers try On, Asics, Hoka, New Balance and others. Nike is not dead, but it may not be able to put the genie back in the bottle. Its latest report, per @HeyAlvaAI, showed Nike Direct sales down 8%, Greater China down 22% and a forecast high-single-digit revenue decline for the year. x.comÂ
Nike is one successful marketing campaign away from a full turnaround. Per @TheLongInvest, it is among the most hated stocks, deep below its 200-month moving average at a 12-year low, with insiders including Tim Cook buying, a 4% dividend and one of the world's strongest brands. x.comÂ
Nike is a damaged business, not just a damaged stock, so buying the dip is a mistake; a falling price only works when the business is still growing. Sportswear, just under half of revenue, is down low double digits, China is losing ground to local brands, and guided earnings don't cover the dividend this year. Insider buying hasn't helped: Tim Cook and directors bought around $59 in December 2025, Cook and the CEO near $42 in April, and shares now sit near $32. x.com x.comÂ
Nike's fall from $179 to $44 looks structural, so not every pullback is a buying opportunity. Nike lost its cool and its retail partners, and now competes with brands that move faster. It needs a real turnaround plan before it is worth touching. x.comÂ
Nike's dividend yield, now high versus its ten-year history, is the new question for investors and makes the stock very interesting at these levels. The numbers have not bottomed, guidance was atrocious and parts of the business are getting worse, offset somewhat by better US wholesale. The guidance implies Nike will use some cash to fund the dividend, but it has plenty. The stock remains too expensive on earnings and too cheap on dividend yield. x.com x.com x.com x.com x.comÂ
Nike's guidance for a high-single-digit revenue decline in fiscal 2027 is all investors need to know. x.comÂ