Topic: How To Invest

Hello Pat. I would like your thoughts on Nike. It seems to have a good history of performance and dividend increases. Regards.

Article Excerpt

Nike Inc., $64.72, symbol NKE on New York (Shares outstanding: 487.0 million; Market cap: $31.5 billion), makes footwear, clothing and equipment for sports and fitness. Its top-selling categories include running, basketball, baseball, golf and tennis. Besides its main Nike brand, the company makes sportswear under the Converse, Hurley and Umbro labels. Nike also licenses its brands, including its famous “swoosh” logo, to other makers of clothing and accessories. Its licensed products include swimwear, children’s clothing, eyewear and electronic devices. The company mainly focuses on designing and marketing its products. It uses contract manufacturers in Asia and South America to make them. Nike’s shares rose from around $13 in 2000 to $70.60 in 2008, as baby boomers became more physically active. As well, spreading economic prosperity made the company’s products more affordable in developing countries. (Nike gets close to 60% of its sales from outside of the U.S.) However, the stock fell to $38.20 in March 2009, because the recession hurt demand for…