Nike Inc. Stock Buy Recommendation Reiterated (NKE)

Editor's Note: TheStreet ratings do not represent the views of TheStreet's staff or its contributors. Ratings are established by computer based on metrics for performance (which includes growth, stock performance, efficiency and valuation) and risk (volatility and solvency). Companies with poor cash flow or high debt levels tend to earn lower ratings in our model.

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Nike (NYSE:NKE) has been reiterated by TheStreet Ratings as a buy with a ratings score of A- . The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures, reasonable valuation levels, good cash flow from operations and expanding profit margins. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had sub par growth in net income.

• EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Jim Cramer's Protégé, Dave Peltier, only buys Stocks Under $10 that he thinks could potentially double. See what he's trading today with a 14-day FREE pass

Highlights from the ratings report include:

• Despite its growing revenue, the company underperformed as compared with the industry average of 10.6%. Since the same quarter one year prior, revenues slightly increased by 9.7%. This growth in revenue does not appear to have trickled down to the company's bottom line, displayed by a decline in earnings per share.
• NKE's debt-to-equity ratio is very low at 0.04 and is currently below that of the industry average, implying that there has been very successful management of debt levels. To add to this, NKE has a quick ratio of 1.77, which demonstrates the ability of the company to cover short-term liquidity needs.
• Net operating cash flow has significantly increased by 514.94% to $535.00 million when compared to the same quarter last year. In addition, NIKE INC has also vastly surpassed the industry average cash flow growth rate of 114.25%.
• NIKE INC's earnings per share declined by 9.6% in the most recent quarter compared to the same quarter a year ago. This company has reported somewhat volatile earnings recently. But, we feel it is poised for EPS growth in the coming year. During the past fiscal year, NIKE INC increased its bottom line by earning $4.73 versus $4.40 in the prior year. This year, the market expects an improvement in earnings ($5.23 versus $4.73).

NIKE, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, development, marketing, and sale of footwear, apparel, equipment, and accessories for men, women, and children worldwide. Nike has a market cap of $34.39 billion and is part of the consumer goods sector and consumer non-durables industry. The company has a P/E ratio of 20.7, above the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are down 1.9% year to date as of the close of trading on Friday.

You can view the full Nike Ratings Report or get investment ideas from our investment research center.

--Written by a member of TheStreet Ratings Staff.

FREE for a limited time only: Get TheStreet Ratings #1 Stock Report NOW!

For more information on Nike Inc. click any of the following:

• Nike Inc. Stock Price

• Nike Inc. Analyst Ratings

• Nike Inc. Key Stats & Profile

• Nike Inc. Earnings

• Nike Inc. Ratio Comparison

• Nike Inc. Growth Rates

• Nike Inc. Balance Sheet

• Nike Inc. Cash Flow

• Nike Inc. Income Statement