Basketball In Focus: Will Nike's Q1 Figures Be All Net Or Will The Swoosh Throw Up A Brick?

Ahead of Nike Inc NKE Q1 earnings call next week, Deutsche Bank maintains a Buy rating on the world's biggest athletic apparel company.

Nike has been feeling increased pressure from adidas AG (ADR) ADDYY and Under Armour Inc UA and the threat that consumers are opting for more fashionable footwear from Adidas than Nike's running shoes. According to Deutsche Bank analysts, the casual athletic and running sectors may have decelerated.

Nike remains the worst DOW performing stock year-to-date, down 11.24 percent and slightly edging Walt Disney Co DIS for the biggest declining component. Adidas, on the other hand, is up 79 percent this year. Wall Street is looking for earnings to come in at $0.56 per share, with revenues in the $8.84 billion range.

Related Link: How's Nike's Strike Ahead Of Q1 Earnings? Goldman Cheers "Goal!"

Some Key Issues To Watch

• Data suggesting basketball rebounded in Q1.
• Greater China growth figures.
• Inventory and Hanjin Shipping commentary.
• If Nike reiterates its FY plan, Q2 guidance will come into focus.
• North American sales figures.
• Strategic manufacturing partnership with Apollo.

Nike Basketball In Focus

Nike's basketball segment will come largely into focus this quarter, as the company has attempted to curb Steph Curry's footwear momentum with Under Armour after lowering the costs of its LeBron and Kevin Durant models to further compete.

Furthermore, Nike is putting an increased focus in basketball in China where it sees significant growth potential, but is seeing some competition from Anta, Peak and Li-Ning, which all have entered the NBA, endorsing Klay Thompson, Dwight Howard and Dwyane Wade.

Not only will the quarter be basketball-focused, but it will be a key year for Nike in basketball; the company now has the NBA apparel deal and will be the first time any company logo will be on NBA jerseys. That means Steph Curry will be photographed wearing Nike on his jersey, sure to cause some confusion. Kevin Durant's arrival to the star-studded Golden State Warriors could also steal some spotlight from Curry.

"We believe Nike's basketball category is re-gaining traction in the U.S., Nike basketball footwear sales accelerated from -2 percent during the period ending 5/28 to +9 percent during the period ending 8/27," said Deutsche Bank.

Nike currently has a 92.3 percent market share in basketball footwear.

Deutsche Bank maintains a Buy rating on Nike with a price target of $75.

At time of publication, Nike was down 0.4 percent at $55.19.

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