Nike, Inc.: Q4 FY2026 earnings call
What management said about Q4 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 30 June 2026: press release. The quarter’s numbers.
Key takeaways
- Fourth quarter revenue down 1%: The company reported fourth quarter revenues of $11.0 billion, down 1 percent reported and down 4 percent currency-neutral. Source
- Fourth quarter EPS included tariff benefit: Net income was $1.1 billion, up 407 percent, and diluted EPS was $0.72, including a $0.52 benefit from the expected IEEPA tariff recovery. Source
- NIKE Brand down 3% currency-neutral: NIKE Brand revenues were $10.7 billion in the fourth quarter and $45.2 billion for the year, with North America growth offset by Greater China and EMEA declines. Source
- North America EBIT lifted by tariff benefit: North America EBIT was $2.0 billion in the quarter, up 91 percent, and included a $965 million benefit for the expected IEEPA tariff recovery. Source
- NIKE Direct fell on digital and stores: NIKE Direct revenues were $4.1 billion in the quarter, down 7 percent reported, with NIKE Brand Digital down 12 percent and NIKE-owned stores down 7 percent. Source
- Fourth quarter gross margin rose 890 basis points: Gross margin reached 49.2 percent. The expected IEEPA tariff recovery of $986 million accounted for about 900 basis points of the increase. Source
- Cash and investments $9.0 billion: Cash and short-term investments were $9.0 billion, down about $0.1 billion from last year. Operating cash included about $0.3 billion of IEEPA tariff recoveries. Source
- David Denton named incoming CFO: David M. Denton joins from Pfizer, where he was CFO and EVP since May 2022, and becomes EVP and CFO effective August 17.
- Structural improvements laid groundwork: Management described structural improvements across team culture, product, brand and consumer service as groundwork for the Sport Offense. Source
“In fiscal 2026, we took decisive actions to strengthen the foundation of NIKE, Inc. and reposition our business for long-term growth,”
Elliott Hill, President and Chief Executive Officer, NIKE, Inc.
Guidance
| Area | Period | Figure | Against last quarter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Share repurchase program Source | four years | $18 billion |
What changed from last quarter
- New: David M. Denton named Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective August 17.
- Ended: Matthew Friend steps down as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at that time.
Fourth quarter and full year results
- Fourth quarter revenue down 1%: The company reported fourth quarter revenues of $11.0 billion, down 1 percent reported and down 4 percent currency-neutral. Source
- Fourth quarter EPS included tariff benefit: Net income was $1.1 billion, up 407 percent, and diluted EPS was $0.72, including a $0.52 benefit from the expected IEEPA tariff recovery. Source
- Full year revenue flat reported: Fiscal 2026 revenues were $46.4 billion, flat reported and down 2 percent currency-neutral. NIKE Brand revenues were $45.2 billion, up 1 percent reported. Source
- Full year EPS down 3%: Full-year net income was $3.1 billion, down 3 percent, and diluted EPS was $2.10, down from $2.16 in the prior year. Source
Segments and regions
- NIKE Brand down 3% currency-neutral: NIKE Brand revenues were $10.7 billion in the fourth quarter and $45.2 billion for the year, with North America growth offset by Greater China and EMEA declines. Source
- North America EBIT lifted by tariff benefit: North America EBIT was $2.0 billion in the quarter, up 91 percent, and included a $965 million benefit for the expected IEEPA tariff recovery. Source
- Converse revenue declined in all territories: Converse revenue was $244 million in the quarter, down 32 percent reported. Fiscal 2026 Converse revenue was $1.2 billion, down 31 percent reported. Source
- Greater China EBIT down 20%: Greater China EBIT was $243 million in the quarter, down 20 percent, and $1.3 billion for fiscal 2026, also down 20 percent. Source
“We delivered fourth quarter results in line with our expectations, demonstrating financial discipline in an increasingly challenging operating environment, where sell-through remains challenged,”
Matthew Friend, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, NIKE, Inc.
Channels and customers
- Wholesale rose, led by North America: Wholesale revenues were $6.6 billion in the quarter, up 4 percent reported, with North America growth partly offset by Greater China declines. Source
- NIKE Direct fell on digital and stores: NIKE Direct revenues were $4.1 billion in the quarter, down 7 percent reported, with NIKE Brand Digital down 12 percent and NIKE-owned stores down 7 percent. Source
- Full year NIKE Direct declined: For fiscal 2026, NIKE Direct revenues were $17.7 billion, down 6 percent reported and down 8 percent currency-neutral. Source
Costs, margins and tax
- Fourth quarter gross margin rose 890 basis points: Gross margin reached 49.2 percent. The expected IEEPA tariff recovery of $986 million accounted for about 900 basis points of the increase. Source
- Full-year gross margin up 20 basis points: Full-year gross margin reached 42.9 percent on revenues of $46.4 billion. Source
- Selling and administrative costs flat: Full-year selling and administrative expense was $16.1 billion, unchanged. Fourth quarter expense fell 2 percent to $4.1 billion. Source
- Fourth quarter demand creation down: Fourth quarter demand creation was $1.2 billion, down 4 percent. Full-year demand creation rose 1 percent to $4.8 billion on higher sports marketing. Source
- Operating overhead flat on severance: Full-year operating overhead was $11.4 billion, flat, as higher wage costs from employee severance were offset by lower other administrative costs. Source
- Tax rate lower in fourth quarter: Fourth quarter effective tax rate was 19.6 percent, against 33.6 percent a year earlier. Full-year rate was 20.3 percent, against 17.1 percent. Source
Cash, inventory and shareholder returns
- Cash and investments $9.0 billion: Cash and short-term investments were $9.0 billion, down about $0.1 billion from last year. Operating cash included about $0.3 billion of IEEPA tariff recoveries. Source
- Inventory flat with more units: Inventories were $7.5 billion, unchanged on the year, with higher unit volume offset by shifts in product mix. Source
- Dividends rose in quarter and year: Fourth quarter dividends were about $609 million, up 3 percent. Fiscal 2026 dividends were $2.4 billion, up 5 percent, and total shareholder returns were about $2.5 billion. Source
- Repurchases of $123 million: Share repurchases totaled $123 million for the year, retiring 1.8 million shares under the Board-approved program. Source
People and leadership
- David Denton named incoming CFO: David M. Denton joins from Pfizer, where he was CFO and EVP since May 2022, and becomes EVP and CFO effective August 17.
- Friend steps down as CFO: Matthew Friend steps down as EVP and CFO at that time and stays with the company through the transition period.
- Hill thanks departing CFO: Elliott Hill thanked Friend for his service and described him as a valued colleague and partner across the company.
Strategy and investment
- Structural improvements laid groundwork: Management described structural improvements across team culture, product, brand and consumer service as groundwork for the Sport Offense. Source
- Investing in marketplace elevation: Management said it is improving business health, managing the product portfolio, investing in marketplace elevation and adjusting operating costs for efficiency. Source
- Execution and profitability named priorities: Management named consistent execution, improved profitability and scaling of wins as its focus areas. Source
Coming up, as management said on 30 June 2026
- Denton to lead global finance: David M. Denton will lead the global finance organization as EVP and CFO from August 17, working with the CEO and Senior Leadership Team.
- Friend stays through September 4: Matthew Friend remains with the company through September 4 to support the transition.
Figures management reported
| Figure | Reported |
|---|---|
| Jordan Brand product sales, fiscal 2026 Source | $7,034 million |
Risks management discussed
- Demand: Management said sell-through remains challenged in an increasingly challenging operating environment. Source
- Demand: Management said it continues to face top-line headwinds, while citing progress in performance product. Source
- Regulatory: Fourth quarter results include a tariff recovery the company deemed probable, described as expected rather than received. Source
Earlier plans management reported on
- Met: Management stated fourth quarter results were in line with its expectations. Source
Other quarters
Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.