Nike is not deep value: it still trades at about 26 times, against roughly 9.4 times for Lululemon, and the consumer is not looking healthy heading into the second half of 2026. x.comÂ
The Inflection Economy
Portfolio Managers at Logos LP
Lululemon risks following Nike's path of margin collapse from peak valuation. Lululemon peaked at 14x EV/sales and 82x forward earnings in 2020, while Nike's EBITDA margin has collapsed from 18% in 2021 to 10.7% today. x.comÂ
Lululemon offers better risk/reward than Nike if it is not broken, trading below 5x EV/EBITDA versus Nike's 14x. Nike's turnaround through wholesale is very hard for a $50B revenue business facing strong rival brands, less product control, price competition and channel conflict across multiple product lines. Nike may have a better near-term chance of beating estimates and is a more evergreen brand, but Lululemon looks increasingly preferable. x.com x.comÂ
Nike's valuation pays investors to wait for a turnaround that will take longer than expected. It trades at just 16x earnings, near its lowest valuation ever, with a roughly 5% dividend yield, and would need a 127% rally to regain its 200-week moving average. Revenue is projected to fall another 4% in FY2027, but the business will grow again; the market prices it as if it were disappearing. Unlike Novo Nordisk, Nike faces no patent cliff. x.com 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 looks overvalued at about 25.6x forward earnings for a business guiding to high-single-digit revenue declines. At $32 on $1.25 of EPS, per the lowered guidance @TrendSpider reports, plus a 5% dividend, tobacco stocks like Altria should triple if that is the going rate for shrinking sales. Nike does not merit a tobacco multiple: it angered its distributors, faces more premium rivals and new entrants, has less loyal customers, is no government-mandated duopoly and pays for costly marketing. … Show more
Nike is the best stock to buy when others are fearful. 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
If conditions are this tough for On Holding, the rest of the apparel and footwear space, including Lululemon and Nike, is likely faring worse. 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 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