Core Viewpoint - The competition in the athletic footwear market is intensifying, with NIKE and Deckers Outdoor Corporation as key players, raising questions about which stock offers better upside potential in the near term [1] NIKE Overview - NIKE maintains a strong position in the athletic footwear and apparel market, bolstered by brand equity, marketing partnerships, and a global distribution network [2] - The company is implementing a "Win Now" strategy to address macroeconomic challenges, focusing on rebalancing wholesale partnerships, accelerating innovation, and improving inventory management to stabilize performance in fiscal 2025 and enhance growth in fiscal 2026 [3][4] - NIKE is committed to innovation, introducing the "Speed Lane" development model to adapt quickly to consumer trends and launching new franchises in the second half of fiscal 2025 [5] - Despite a cautious outlook for fiscal Q4 2025, with expected revenue decline and gross margin contraction, NIKE's strong fundamentals and proactive leadership position it as a long-term investment opportunity [6] Deckers Overview - Deckers is experiencing growth driven by its flagship brands, UGG and HOKA, with UGG leading in the premium lifestyle footwear market and HOKA gaining traction in high-performance segments [7] - Innovation is central to Deckers' strategy, with new product launches for HOKA and expansion of UGG's offerings beyond winter styles, aligning with consumer preferences [8] - International expansion is a key focus, particularly in markets like China, alongside a growing direct-to-consumer segment supported by omnichannel investments [9] - However, Deckers faces challenges such as inventory availability issues for UGG, which may impact sales in the fourth quarter [10] Financial Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NIKE's fiscal 2025 sales and EPS indicates a year-over-year decline of 10.7% and 45.6%, respectively, with a recent 5.4% increase in EPS estimates [11] - In contrast, Deckers' fiscal 2025 sales and EPS estimates suggest year-over-year growth of 15.4% and 21.2%, respectively, with a slight 0.2% increase in EPS estimates recently [11] Stock Performance - Over the past six months, DECK shares have dropped by 30%, while NKE stock has declined by 17.3%, with NIKE showing more resilience amid broader market pressures [12] Valuation Comparison - NIKE's forward price-to-sales (P/S) multiple is 2.03, below its three-year median of 2.84, indicating potential value for investors [15] - Deckers is trading at a forward P/S multiple of 3.53, above its median of 3.47, suggesting it may be pricier compared to NIKE [15][16] Investment Outlook - NIKE is viewed as a stronger investment candidate due to its proactive growth strategies, focus on performance categories, and operational discipline, positioning it for renewed momentum [17] - While Deckers benefits from brand momentum and direct-to-consumer growth, it faces challenges that could impact investor sentiment, making NIKE's scale and execution a clearer path to long-term value [18]