Analyst Shows Why Nike Is Worth $100

By Chris Lange Published Sep 29, 3:54PM EDT

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Credit Suisse issued a research report today that Nike, Inc. (NYSE: NKE) might be worth more than previously thought. In the wake of a strong earnings report, Nike seems poised more than ever to finish out the year strong. Analysts were positive last week and now we have a report on Monday from Credit Suisse — reiterating its Outperform rating, while raising its price target to $100 from $80. The highest analyst price target in the Thomson Reuters universe is now listed as $110.

Thomson Reuters has estimates for the 2015 fiscal year of $3.56 in earnings per share and $30.67 billion in revenues. Estimates for the 2016 fiscal year are $4.10 in earnings per share and $33.46 billion in revenues.

The fiscal year 2015 estimates are being moved up by Credit Suisse to $3.64 in earnings per share and $30.87 billion in revenues from the previous level of $3.36 in earnings per share and $29.86 billion in revenues. Estimates were moved up for the 2016 fiscal year as well to $4.18 in earnings per share and $33.54 billion in revenues from the previous estimates of $3.85 in earnings per share and $32.02 in revenues.

Nike’s futures growth was recorded at 14%, well above expectations of 9% to 10%. North America posted a growth in futures of 15% which suggests that elevated market share capture in the region in persistent. Christian Buss, the Credit Suisse analyst on the call, reported on Nike’s quarter,

“A truly exceptional quarter from Nike, with top-line strength, gross margin upside, solid futures numbers, and inventory growth well controlled, leading to a big beat of $1.09 versus our prior model for $0.86, even adjusting for a $0.05 benefit from a lower than expected tax rate. Increasingly it looks like Nike will continue to capture market share at an elevated rate globally, positioning the company for a continuation of double-digit revenue growth. When combined with benefits from margin recapture across Europe and China, the company looks to finally be able to sustain mid-teens or better earnings growth following three years of low double-digit earnings growth.”

Nike shares shot up roughly 10% when it announced earnings last Thursday, inspiring some analysts to reevaluate the outlook on Nike’s year. Within the week, Nike has hit all-time highs and looks as if it will continue to do so going forward, some analysts seem to be betting.

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After earnings last week, we saw that Nike was raised to Buy from Neutral at Janney Capital Markets, and it was reiterated as Buy with a $95 target at Sterne Agee. Canaccord Genuity maintained its Hold rating but raised the target to $88 from $76. The stock has a consensus price target of $93.30 and a 52-week trading range of $69.85 to $90.09. Its market cap is $77 billion.

About the Author Chris Lange →

Chris Lange is a writer for 24/7 Wall St., based in Houston. He has covered financial markets over the past decade with an emphasis on healthcare, tech, and IPOs. During this time, he has published thousands of articles with insightful analysis across these complex fields. Currently, Lange's focus is on military and geopolitical topics.

Lange's work has been quoted or mentioned in Forbes, The New York Times, Business Insider, USA Today, MSN, Yahoo, The Verge, Vice, The Intelligencer, Quartz, Nasdaq, The Motley Fool, Fox Business, International Business Times, The Street, Seeking Alpha, Barron’s, Benzinga, and many other major publications.

A graduate of Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, Lange majored in business with a particular focus on investments. He has previous experience in the banking industry and startups.