As Nike Inc. continues an intense turnaround effort, Wall Street is upbeat on the inventory’s prospects for the brand new 12 months.
Other stocks favored by some analysts heading into 2026 embrace On Holding AG, Amer Sports Inc. and Steven Madden Ltd.
The common consensus is pretty constructive for Nike, with the understanding that the turnaround of the model gained’t occur in a single day. While gross sales in North America look like “coming out of the doldrums,” in keeping with Williams Trading analyst Sam Poser, the issue is that the “heavy lift needed to fix the Greater China and Converse businesses are greater than expected and are weighing down the stock.” Poser, who has a “buy” ranking on shares of Nike, famous that the order e-book for spring and summer time 2026 “is up.”
BTIG’s Robert Drbul additionally has a “buy” ranking on shares of Nike. According to the analyst, wholesale noticed progress “in the order book” globally. “It’s more about perseverance than perfection, Drbul said, adding that the management team has growing confidence in its ability to sustain momentum within the two areas that Nike focused on first, running and North America. And there’s also confidence from wholesale partners in the soccer product, with the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Drbul said Nike is investing in the buzzed-about event and that thus far booking units are “40 percent higher than the 2022 World Cup.”
“We believe [Nike chief executive officer Elliott] Hill’s deep expertise in marketplace management is beginning to pay off for the company, especially at wholesale, as the company continues its turnaround efforts,” the BTIG analyst stated. “We believe Mr. Hill’s leadership is driving the company toward revitalizing growth amid increasing and persistent competition.”
Jefferies analyst Randal Konik famous that as “green shoots continue,” market cleanup and portfolio resets are “restoring partner trust,” which in flip is positioning Nike for sustainable progress.
While Nike seems to be the highest footwear inventory choose, there are different names garnering Wall Street’s favor.
TD Cowen’s John Kernan’s sizzling picks embrace On and Amer Sports, the dad or mum of the Salomon footwear, Arc’teryx, and Wilson manufacturers.
Kernan stated On is among the many finest positioned firms for progress and upside compared with consensus expectations, given its premium positioning in efficiency and way of life, in addition to administration’s constant innovation throughout its franchises. He additionally cited “healthy order book trends” for spring 2026 for its Cloudrunner 3 and Cloudmonster 3 franchises, and famous that administration “is pleased” with how its fall 2026 order books are shaping up.
On cofounder and govt co-chairman Caspar Coppetti informed buyers in a current convention name that its premium technique is working. And the shoes are resonating with athletes — Hellen Obiri gained the 2025 New York City Marathon carrying On’s Cloudboom Strike LightSpray efficiency operating shoe, that includes the brand’s newest technology — and trend followers alike as collaborations, such because the one with Burna Boy, are getting the eye of youthful customers.
At Amer Sports, Kernan stated the Salomon, Arc’teryx and Wilson manufacturers are all “price leaders” of their respective classes, with longstanding give attention to efficiency and innovation. He additionally expects that the three manufacturers are poised to proceed to take share, noting that Arc’teryx’s gross sales progress seemingly can be a main driver of each Amer’s gross sales progress and margin enlargement over the subsequent a number of years. TD Cowen’s proprietary analysis signifies that Arc’teryx has low model consciousness and class penetration, indicating that there’s loads of alternative forward.
When the agency posted third quarter earnings leads to November, Amer’s CEO Jie Zheng stated Salomon footwear noticed “exceptional” progress within the interval, noting that footwear continues to be a key progress driver — up 35 % — for the Arc’teryx model. Zheng added that Arc’teryx footwear will symbolize 8 % of worldwide model gross sales for the present fiscal 12 months and that it’s anticipated to “reach 13 percent by 2030.”
Steven Madden Ltd. received the nod from BTIG analyst Janine Stichter as the corporate might be the largest beneficiary of the long-awaited rebound in trend footwear. Madden CEO Edward Rosenfeld stated in November when the shoe agency posted third quarter outcomes that the corporate is seeing “strong performance in dress shoes across various heel heights, as well as casual such as loafers, mary janes and mules.”
Stichter additionally known as out comparable feedback from executives at Caleres Inc. citing power in flats and ‘solid performance’ in costume and at Designer Brands Inc. on a renewed momentum in trend throughout their earnings convention calls. She additionally sees the informal athletic pattern normalizing for ladies, an indication that pockets share is shifting to trend kinds.