Nike’s Focus on Innovation and Its Competitive Advantages Should Bring Better Results
We view Nike as the leader of the athletic apparel market and believe it will recover from recent problems, including lackluster product development, soft demand for sportswear, and strained relationships with wholesale accounts. Our wide moat rating is based on its intangible brand asset, as we believe it will maintain premium pricing and generate economic profits for at least 20 years. With global visibility through its many sports sponsorships, Nike is the largest athletic footwear brand in all major categories and in most markets. The firm faces significant competition, but we believe it has proven over a long period that it can maintain share and pricing.