The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights Nike, lululemon athletica and adidas

Globe and Mail

21 hours ago

For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – June 12, 2025 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Nike, Inc. NKE, lululemon athletica inc. LULU and adidas AG ADDYY.
Here are highlights from Wednesday's Analyst Blog:
Nike's China Recovery Stalls: Can It Regain Its Edge in Asia?
Nike, Inc. boasts a solid presence in China, which forms a cornerstone in its global growth strategy. The company has strategically invested in China to reinforce its consumer engagement and gain competitive leverage. Nike's China business, which is commonly referred to as Greater China, delivered revenues of $1.7 billion in third-quarter fiscal 2025, contributing about 15% to total revenues.
However, Greater China has remained a challenging market for Nike, weighed down by a difficult operating environment and tariff-related headwinds. In third-quarter fiscal 2025, Greater China revenues plunged 17% on a reported basis (down 15% in constant currency), as Nike Direct sales fell 11%, Nike Digital revenues slid 20% and Nike-owned store revenues dipped 6%. Wholesale performance also weakened, with an 18% year-over-year decline, underscoring persistent consumer and trade pressures across the region.
Despite near-term challenges, Nike remains bullish on Greater China's long-term growth potential. To reignite momentum, the company has aggressively cleaned up the marketplace—executing returns and rebates, liquidating excess inventory, and creating space for new product drops and expanded assortments. Management acknowledges China's status as a "mono-brand market," and is committed to patience and precision as it phases in its Win Now initiatives, expecting these actions to boost foot traffic and market share over time.
NKE deepens its vast presence in China by customizing product innovation to local tastes, launching culturally resonant marketing campaigns, accelerating research and development activities, and forming strategic alliances with leading Chinese sports and cultural organizations. This concerted effort to embed sport and fitness into everyday life not only deepens consumer engagement but also positions Nike to outpace competitors in its broader Asian markets.
NKE's Competition in Asia
lululemon athletica inc. and adidas AG are the key companies competing with Nike in China.
Like NKE, lululemon seeks to enhance its presence in China, which is among its key global markets. The company has been experiencing solid momentum in its international markets, especially in China. In first-quarter fiscal 2025, revenues increased 21% in Mainland China (22% in constant currency) while comps improved 8%.
The company looks forward to strengthening its physical appearance with constant store openings in the international markets, primarily in China. Amid the tariff-driven pressures, lululemon anticipates revenue growth of 25-30% in Mainland China in fiscal 2025, thanks to its distinct product and innovative solutions. Growth in LULU's customer base through its stores and diverse e-commerce platforms, coupled with product innovations and a robust omnichannel operating model, has been bolstering growth in the region.
adidas is another sporting goods giant vying for a larger share of the Chinese market. The company is aggressively focused on expanding its presence in China by launching locally relevant product lines and enhancing its brand equity via collaborations and marketing campaigns. Amid a highly evolving geopolitical and macroeconomic environment, adidas has been diversifying its supply chain and adopting mitigating strategies. Initiatives like the "Future City Concept" stores highlight adidas' ongoing commitment to forward retail strategy. Such strategies are likely to offer resilience and sustainability in the long term.
NKE's Price Performance, Valuation and Estimates
Shares of Nike have lost around 15.5% year to date compared with the industry 's decline of 14%.
From a valuation standpoint, NKE trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 32.5X, higher than the industry's average of 25.76X.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NKE's fiscal 2025 and 2026 earnings implies a year-over-year plunge of 46.1% and 8.7%, respectively. The company's EPS estimate for fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2026 has been stable in the past 30 days.
Nike stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).
You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Why Haven't You Looked at Zacks' Top Stocks?
Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.7% average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +48.4%, +50.2% and +56.7% per year.
Today you can access their live picks without cost or obligation.
See Stocks Free >>
Media Contact
Zacks Investment Research
800-767-3771 ext. 9339
[e-mail]
https://www.zacks.com
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
5 Stocks Set to Double
Each was handpicked by a Zacks expert as the #1 favorite stock to gain +100% or more in 2024. While not all picks can be winners, previous recommendations have soared +143.0%, +175.9%, +498.3% and +673.0%.
Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor.
Today, See These 5 Potential Home Runs >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
NIKE, Inc. (NKE): Free Stock Analysis Report
lululemon athletica inc. (LULU): Free Stock Analysis Report
Adidas AG (ADDYY): Free Stock Analysis Report