Nike tops earnings estimates as rising North America sales help to offset China weakness

Nike tops earnings estimates as rising North America sales help to offset China weakness

Published Thu, Dec 18 2025

12:00 PM EST

Updated 5 Min Ago

Key Points

• Nike posted fiscal second-quarter earnings and revenue that topped Wall Street's estimates.
• A rise in North America sales helped to offset weakness in the company's Greater China market.
• CEO Elliott Hill is enacting a turnaround plan that in part involves moving back toward wholesale partners and away from direct sales.

In this article

• NKE

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A shopper carries Nike bags in San Francisco, California, US, on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025.

David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Nike on Thursday posted quarterly earnings and revenue that topped Wall Street's estimates, as strength in North America helped to offset a plunge in China sales.

Here's what Nike reported for its second fiscal quarter of 2026, according to consensus estimates from LSEG:

• Earnings per share: 53 centsvs. 38 cents expected
• Revenue: $12.43 billion vs. $12.22 billion expected

The athletic apparel retailer said sales in North America rose 9% to $5.63 billion. But revenue in its Greater China market dropped 17% to $1.42 billion.

The sneaker company is just over a year into CEO Elliott Hill's turnaround strategy, focusing on regaining its growth and market share, clearing out old inventory and investing in wholesale relationships.

The company said wholesale revenues climbed 8% to $7.5 billion during the quarter. But direct sales — which were a focus for Nike in the years before Hill took over and moved away from the strategy — fell 8% to $4.6 billion.

The company's stock slid about 2% in extended trading Thursday. Nike shares have dropped more than 13% this year as of Thursday's close.

This story is developing. Please check back for updates.

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