Nike Beat Last Quarter's EPS Estimate by 54% — Can It Repeat That Oct. 1?

Nike Inc. (NYSE:NKE) shares are in the spotlight, with earnings on deck, recent analyst activity, a technical setup showing the stock below every major moving average and Edge Rankings all drawing attention. Nike stock is building positive momentum. Why are NKE shares climbing? Earnings Preview & History Nike is scheduled to report first-quarter fiscal 2027 earnings on October 1 after market close. Analysts estimate EPS of 44 cents along with revenue of $11.35 billion. For the prior quarter, Nike reported EPS of 20 cents, beating the consensus estimate of 13 cents. The company also posted revenue of $10.97 billion, beating the consensus estimate of $10.86 billion. What to Watch: Gross Margins and China Revenue Hold the Key for Nike Investors will be closely tracking Greater China revenue, which fell 12% on a reported basis in the prior quarter as the region continues to weigh on the company’s turnaround under CEO Elliott Hill. Gross margin trends will also be in focus, since Nike has projected margin expansion could begin this quarter after seven consecutive quarters of year-over-year declines, though tariff-related cost pressures remain a wildcard. Commentary on NIKE Direct performance, wholesale channel growth in North America, and progress on Hill’s “Win Now” strategy should offer additional signals on whether the company’s turnaround is translating into a genuine, broad-based recovery rather than just easier year-over-year comparisons. Analyst Consensus & Recent Actions The stock carries a Hold rating with an average price forecast of $46.83. Recent analyst moves include: StoneX: Initiated with Hold (Sept. 22) Stifel: Hold (Lowers Target to $40.00) (Sept. 21) UBS: Neutral (Lowers Target to $42.00) (Sept. 17) Nike Trades Below Every Major Moving Average Nike is still in a longer-term downtrend, with the stock down 49.35% over the past 12 months and trading below every major moving average. At $36.70, it’s trading 2.9% below the 20-day SMA ($37.77), 8.9% below the 50-day SMA ($40.28), 12.6% below the 100-day SMA ($41.97), and 26.7% below the 200-day SMA ($50.08). Momentum remains the key issue: MACD is below its signal line and the histogram is negative, which points to upside pressure fading unless buyers can push the trend back above that baseline. Structurally, the bearish backdrop is reinforced by the 20-day SMA sitting below the 50-day SMA, and the 50-day SMA remaining below the 200-day SMA (the death cross that formed in November 2025). From a levels perspective, the chart is trying to stabilize just above the 52-week low at $35.35, making this area an important "line in the sand" for bulls. A more durable rebound typically needs follow-through back above the low-$40s, where multiple moving averages are clustered and can act like overhead supply. Key Resistance: $41.50 — a nearby level where rebounds can stall, sitting close to the 50-day SMA/100-day SMA zone Benzinga Edge Rankings Below is the Benzinga Edge scorecard for Nike, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses compared to the broader market: Momentum: Weak (Score: 4.24) — The stock’s trend has been lagging, which fits with price staying below key moving averages. Quality: Weak (Score: 24.92) — The score suggests the market is not rewarding Nike’s current fundamentals as strongly as many peers. Value: Strong (Score: 76.3) — Valuation looks more appealing on this model, which can attract longer-term buyers if the chart stabilizes. Growth: Strong (Score: 88.55) — Expectations for longer-run growth remain supportive, even as near-term momentum stays pressured. The Verdict: Nike’s Benzinga Edge signal reveals a value-and-growth-leaning setup that’s still fighting a very weak momentum tape. For longer-term investors, the opportunity case improves if the stock can reclaim the low-$40s, but until then the trend profile argues for patience and clear risk levels near the $35 area. Read Also: Stock Market Today: S&P 500 Futures Gain, Nasdaq 100 Slips as Trump Administration Targets Iranian Airlines — LEN, GRML, ACN in Focus Nike Shares Edge Higher NKE Price Action: At the time of publication, Nike shares are trading 1.83% higher at $36.76, according to data from Benzinga Pro. Image via Shutterstock