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NKE FY2026 Q2 IN LINE

Nike, Inc. earnings call

Dec 18, 2025 · 09:00 ET Elliott HillMatt FriendPaul
Buzzberg read

Nike in 'middle innings' of comeback, expects non-linear progress

Nike's Q2 FY2026 results showed modest top-line growth with strong wholesale and North America performance, but ongoing challenges in China and margin pressure from tariffs and cleanup actions. Management described the turnaround as 'middle innings,' emphasizing progress in running and wholesale while warning of non-linear recovery across geographies. Nike brand revenue grew slightly, with North America wholesale up 24% and running up over 20% for the second consecutive quarter.

Buzzberg read Nike in 'middle innings' of comeback, expects non-linear progress Nike's Q2 FY2026 results showed modest top-line growth with strong wholesale and North America performance, but ongoing challenges in China and margin pressure from tariffs and cleanup actions. Management described the turnaround as 'middle innings,' emphasizing progress in running and wholesale while warning of non-linear recovery across geographies. Nike brand revenue grew slightly, with North America wholesale up 24% and running up over 20% for the second consecutive quarter. Read full analysisCollapse analysis

Nike's Q2 FY2026 results showed modest top-line growth with strong wholesale and North America performance, but ongoing challenges in China and margin pressure from tariffs and cleanup actions. Management described the turnaround as 'middle innings,' emphasizing progress in running and wholesale while warning of non-linear recovery across geographies. Nike brand revenue grew slightly, with North America wholesale up 24% and running up over 20% for the second consecutive quarter.

  • Classics footwear franchises declined over 20%, on track to drop $4 billion from peak by year-end.
  • Greater China revenue fell 16% as the company takes aggressive inventory cleanup and repositioning actions; management expects headwinds to continue.
  • Gross margin fell 300 bps to 40.6%, including ~320 bps headwind from new U.S. tariffs; Q3 guidance implies margin compression of 175-225 bps.
Revenue $12.427B +6% QoQ
EPS $0.53 +8% QoQ
Gross margin 40.6% reported
Op margin 8.1% reported

What changed this quarter

01
Turnaround

Nike in 'middle innings' of comeback, expects non-linear progress

Nike's Q2 FY2026 results showed modest top-line growth with strong wholesale and North America performance, but ongoing challenges in China and margin pressure from tariffs and cleanup actions. Management described the turnaround as 'middle innings,' emphasizing progress in…

02
Demand

North America wholesale grew 24% as momentum builds

Management expresses optimism about the turnaround, noting progress in North America and running, while candidly acknowledging significant headwinds and uneven recovery across geographies.

03
Product

Running grew over 20% for second consecutive quarter

Classics footwear franchises declined over 20%, on track to drop $4 billion from peak by year-end.

04
Portfolio

Classics franchises to decline over $4 billion from peak

Greater China revenue fell 16% as the company takes aggressive inventory cleanup and repositioning actions; management expects headwinds to continue.

Demand

Demand

Bookings & conversion

North America wholesale grew 24% as momentum builds. Management expresses optimism about the turnaround, noting progress in North America and running, while candidly acknowledging significant headwinds and uneven recovery across geographies.

Tone · Measured Confidence

Management expresses optimism about the turnaround, noting progress in North America and running, while candidly acknowledging significant headwinds and uneven recovery across geographies.

Company read-throughs

since call
Customers

Nike is deepening collaboration with Foot Locker on a unified basketball brand presentation, suggesting potential for scaled retail programs and increased sell-through for Foot Locker.

“our three basketball brands and their product lineups will come together under the sport offense. The Swoosh, the Jumpman, and the Star Chevron have a unified creative feel and merchandising approach with Foot Locker in L.A.”
Elliott Hill