KUALA LUMPUR, March 30 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia’s benchmark index closed lower today, in line with most regional markets, as investors adjusted their risk exposure amid spiralling oil prices driven by the ongoing West Asia conflict, now in its second month. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) retreated by 24.75 points or 1.44 per cent to 1,687.90 from Friday’s close of 1,712.65. The market bellwether opened 10.57 points weaker at 1,702.08 and fluctuated between 1,682.79 and 1,702.38. The broader market was bearish, with decliners thumping advancers 956 to 371. A total of 373 counters were unchanged, 1,042 untraded and 134 suspended. Turnover expanded to 3.98 billion units worth RM4.85 billion from last Friday’s 2.97 billion units worth RM3.25 billion.
Nike's new CEO, Elliott Hill, has laid out a bold plan to reposition the iconic brand after reporting second-quarter earnings that beat analyst estimates but revealed declining revenues and profits.
Key Financial Highlights
- Revenue: $12.35 billion (beat analyst estimate of $12.13 billion).
- Earnings Per Share: $0.78 (beat estimate of $0.65).
- Revenue Breakdown:
- Nike Direct: $5 billion, down 13% YoY.
- Nike Brand: $12 billion, down 7% YoY.
CEO's Observations and Strategic Shift
1. Excess Inventory and Promotions
- Hill criticized past strategies, blaming over-reliance on promotions for hurting margins.
- Plan to use Nike Value Stores to clear excess inventory and limit promotions to traditional retail moments.
- "We’ll build back an integrated marketplace across Nike Direct and Wholesale," Hill said.
2. Reinvesting in Brand and Sport
- Acknowledged that Nike shifted away from its core focus on sport, relying too much on "a handful of sportswear silhouettes."
- Plans to reinvest in brand storytelling to inspire and emotionally connect with consumers during major sport moments.
- "We lost our obsession with sport. Moving forward, we will lead with sport and put the athlete at the center of every decision."
3. Rebuilding Wholesale Relationships
- Wholesale revenue: Down 3% YoY to $6.9 billion.
- Hill admitted past neglect of wholesale partners, saying, "We stopped engaging consistently."
- Focus on mutually profitable sell-through to rebuild trust and collaboration.
Challenges Ahead
Guidance for FY 2024
- Revenue Outlook: Expected to decline by low double digits.
- Margins: Projected to contract by 300–350 basis points.
- Increased Expenses: Higher investments in demand creation expected to weigh on Q4 more than Q3.
Regional Sales Declines
- North America: -8%
- Greater China: -8%
- Europe: -7%
- Asia Pacific & Latin America: -3%
Stock Performance and Analyst Sentiment
- Nike shares closed at $77.10, up 0.26% on Thursday, but fell 0.54% in after-hours trading.
- Year-to-date, the stock is down 27.64%.
- Consensus Analyst Rating: "Buy" with a price target of $94.10, implying a 17.81% upside.
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