Nike's current-quarter forecast missed expectations
Nike Inc (NYSE:NKE) stepped into the earnings confessional this morning, posting fiscal fourth-quarter profits of 90 cents per share on $12.23 billion in revenue, both of which topped analysts' estimates. However, the sportswear concern's current-quarter revenue missed expectations, with Nike noting some weakness in its typically profitable Chinese market. As a result, NKE is traveling lower in premarket trading, last seen down 3% at $107.16.
It's been a rough year for the Dow component, which has already shed 33.7% in 2022, and 28.4% in the past 12 months. The stock's 80-day moving average has loomed as a ceiling since it broke below the level in early January, while the 20-day trendline has stepped in as short-term pressure in recent sessions.
Analysts have rushed in with price-target cuts. So far, no less than eight analysts have slashed their price objectives, including BMO all the way to $128 from $142. The brokerage bunch is still incredibly bullish, however. Heading into today, 18 of the 22 in coverage called the stock a "buy" or better. Meanwhile, the 12-month consensus price target of $143.48 is a healthy 29.9% premium to last night's close.
Short sellers were hitting the exits ahead of Nike's earnings reports. In the last reporting period alone, short interest fell 23.3% and now makes up just a slim 0.8% of the stock's available float.