Jorge A.
Stock & Options Trader
Nike could be re-rated lower as an apparel company with falling revenue and EPS that is struggling to show CEO Elliott Hill's turnaround is taking root after two years. Q1 revenue missed at $11.21B, FY27 revenue is guided down by a high-single-digit percentage versus a 2% expected decline, and adjusted EPS guidance of $1.15-$1.35 sits well below the $1.65 consensus, with weakness in China, sportswear and Jordan. Its 26.4x 2027 P/E is low only versus its ~30x history. x.com x.comÂ
Nike's China sales decline will show whether the problem is China or Nike. China's economy has been under pressure and is only starting to turn around, so households may need another quarter or two to spend again; if spending doesn't pick up, the China problem is Nike's, not the economy's. 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 beat the quarter but torched the year, a guidance reset rather than a miss. It sees fiscal 2027 adjusted EPS of $1.15-1.35, a $1.25 midpoint versus $1.69 expected, and revenue declining by a high-single-digit percentage. Inventories fell, but the guide is horrendous. x.com x.com x.com x.comÂ
Nike's turnaround is looking much longer than bulls expected, and about 17x forward earnings is not cheap for a business growing low single digits. China sales fell 26% FX-neutral while Adidas' Greater China sales grew 15%, pointing to a Nike problem, not a China problem. Sportswear fell low double digits with Dunk revenue down about 50%, Jordan fell mid-teens, and most PACE savings are expected only in FY29-30; Performance grew high single digits. The must-buy price is $25. x.com x.com x.comÂ
Nike under $40 is getting very interesting because expectations have fallen so low, often where the best risk/reward shows up. The stock closed at its lowest since 2014, about 78% below its all-time high. The turnaround is not finished: FY26 revenue was basically flat, Nike Direct is still shrinking and China remains a major problem. But wholesale revenue grew 6% for the year as Nike rebuilds retailer relationships. This is not a call on the bottom. x.comÂ
Nike's business is just not getting better: its products are too pricey and revenue has been flat for five years. Quarterly revenue of $11.21 billion missed the $11.33 billion estimate, EPS slipped to $0.48 from $0.49 a year earlier, and the company lowered its outlook to single-digit growth in 2027. x.com x.com x.comÂ
Nike's fundamentals have not yet followed, and insider buying by CEO Elliott Hill and board member Tim Cook did not fix the business. Q1 revenue fell about 4% to $11.2B, with China down 26%, Nike Sportswear down low double digits and Jordan down mid-teens. Management warned China could get worse and some turnaround pain could extend into fiscal 2028. Performance grew high single digits, running double digits and North America returned to growth, so Nike is not being written off. x.comÂ
Nike's push to reposition as a premium sports brand looks like the right route to recovery, including in Greater China. New CFO Dave Denton was clearer, and Alex Arnault's board seat, Jordan's return to scarcity, elite athlete deals and less discounting support it. EPS was fairly strong and margins are improving; guidance looks set deliberately low to beat, since management says the decline largely stems from its own choices. The dividend is safe; a full turnaround may take 3-5 years. x.com … Show more
Nike's guidance for a high-single-digit revenue decline in fiscal 2027 is all investors need to know. x.comÂ