The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights NIKE, adidas and lululemon athletica

For Immediate ReleaseChicago, IL – January 20, 2026 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: NIKE Inc. NKE, adidas AG ADDYY and lululemon athletica inc. LULU.Here are highlights from Monday’s Analyst Blog:NIKE's Turnaround Test: Will Innovation Offset Weak Global Demand?NIKE Inc. is navigating a critical phase in its turnaround as global consumer demand remains uneven and discretionary spending is under pressure. After years of relying heavily on a narrow set of lifestyle franchises, the company is refocusing on its core strength: sport-led innovation.Management’s strategy centers on rebuilding product credibility, improving marketplace health and reigniting brand momentum through performance categories such as Running, Basketball and Football. The key question for investors is whether NIKE’s renewed innovation engine can generate enough demand to counter softer macro conditions across major regions.At the heart of the turnaround is NIKE’s push to deliver a more consistent and differentiated pipeline of new products. The company is accelerating innovation cycles, diversifying its portfolio and tying launches more closely to athletes and sports moments.Early results in North America suggest this approach is working, with stronger sell-through in performance footwear and a healthier wholesale channel supporting top-line stability. By reducing promotional intensity and elevating the consumer experience across both digital and physical channels, NIKE is also working to restore its premium brand positioning, a crucial factor in sustaining pricing power.However, challenges remain outside the United States, particularly in Greater China and parts of EMEA, where demand recovery has been slower and competitive pressure is intense. Inventory cleanup, tariff-related cost headwinds and cautious consumers continue to weigh on near-term margins. Still, if NIKE can successfully scale its innovation-led playbook across regions while maintaining discipline in inventory and costs, the company may emerge from this period with a stronger, more balanced business. In this scenario, innovation will not just offset weak global demand but become the catalyst for a more durable growth cycle.NKE’s Competition in the Global Arenaadidas AG and lululemon athletica inc. are the key companies competing with NIKE in the global market.adidas is also undergoing a turnaround test as global demand for athletic apparel and footwear remains uneven. The company is leaning on product innovation and a renewed emphasis on core performance categories, particularly football, running and training, to reignite consumer interest. By tightening assortments, improving speed to market and elevating storytelling around athletes and major sporting events, adidas aims to rebuild brand heat while reducing reliance on promotions.lululemon is better positioned than most peers to navigate softening global demand, thanks to its innovation-driven and premium-focused model. The company continues to invest in technical fabrics, performance enhancements and fit innovation, allowing it to maintain strong pricing power and customer loyalty. Expansion into running, training and men’s categories, alongside international growth, provides additional levers to sustain momentum even as discretionary spending moderates.NKE’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of NIKE have lost 4.8% in the past three months compared with the industry’s decline of 4.2%.From a valuation standpoint, NKE trades at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio of 30.82X compared with the industry’s average of 27.57X.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NKE’s fiscal 2026 earnings implies a year-over-year decline of 28.2%, while that for fiscal 2027 indicates growth of 54.2%.NIKE stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.Free: Instant Access to Zacks' Market-Crushing StrategiesSince 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.7% average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +48.4%, +50.2% and +56.7% per year.Today you can tap into those powerful strategies – and the high-potential stocks they uncover – free. No strings attached.Get all the details here >>support@zacks.comhttps://www.zacks.comPast performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.5 Stocks Set to DoubleEach was handpicked by a Zacks expert as the #1 favorite stock to gain +100% or more in the coming year. While not all picks can be winners, previous recommendations have soared +112%, +171%, +209% and +232%.Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor.Today, See These 5 Potential Home Runs >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report NIKE, Inc. (NKE): Free Stock Analysis Report lululemon athletica inc. (LULU): Free Stock Analysis Report Adidas AG (ADDYY): Free Stock Analysis ReportThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks