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Decoding NIKE's High P/E Ratio: Bargain Buy or Overpriced Risk?
NIKENIKE(US:NKE) ZACKSยท2025-06-25 15:56

Core Insights - NIKE Inc. (NKE) is fundamentally strong but faces valuation concerns with a forward 12-month P/E multiple of 31.58X, significantly higher than the industry average of 24.76X [2][4] - The company's high price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 2X compared to the industry's 1.74X raises investor unease, compounded by a low Value Score of D [3][4] - NIKE's stock has underperformed compared to competitors like adidas and Skechers, which have lower P/E ratios and have experienced smaller declines in stock price [4][9] Financial Performance - NIKE's stock has dropped 18.9% year-to-date, similar to the broader industry's decline of 18.5%, while the Consumer Discretionary sector has grown by 8.1% [8] - The company reported a 17% drop in sales in Greater China and a 9% year-over-year revenue decline in Q3 fiscal 2025, indicating ongoing operational challenges [7][17][20] - Guidance for the fiscal fourth quarter indicates a 22% year-over-year revenue drop and a significant contraction in gross margin by 400-500 basis points [7][19][20] Market Position and Competitive Landscape - NIKE's premium valuation is not aligned with its growth trajectory, especially in light of slowing sales and earnings [5][24] - The company is facing challenges in its core lifestyle segment, with iconic footwear lines experiencing sharper declines than the overall business [15][16] - Despite ongoing investments in grassroots sports initiatives, the short-term outlook remains difficult, with management's guidance reflecting a cautious approach [18][20] Estimate Revisions - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NIKE's fiscal 2025 earnings per share has shown a slight uptrend, with a projected 10.7% decline in sales and a 45.8% decline in EPS year-over-year [21][23] - For fiscal 2026, the consensus indicates modest growth of 1.3% in sales and 12.1% in earnings year-over-year [23]