Revenue up 9 percent; Worldwide futures orders up 9 percent

BEAVERTON, Ore. (22 March, 2007) – NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) today reported financial results for the third quarter ended February 28, 2007. For the quarter, revenue grew 9 percent to $3.9 billion, compared to $3.6 billion for the same period last year. Changes in currency exchange rates increased revenue growth by 3 percentage points for the quarter. Third quarter net income grew 8 percent to $350.8 million, compared to $325.8 million in the prior year and diluted earnings per share increased 10 percent to $1.37, versus $1.24 last year.

“We had a strong third quarter. Our mix of compelling product and premium consumer experiences drove a meaningful acceleration of futures orders,” said Mark Parker, Nike, Inc. president and chief executive officer.  “We continue to grow because we're innovative, disciplined, and connected to our consumers.”*

Futures Orders

The Company reported worldwide futures orders for athletic footwear and apparel, scheduled for delivery from March 2007 through July 2007, totaling $6.0 billion, 9 percent higher than such orders reported for the same period last year. Changes in currency exchange rates increased reported orders growth by 1 percentage point.*

By region, futures orders for the U.S. increased 8 percent; Europe (which includes the Middle East and Africa) increased 9 percent; Asia Pacific grew 14 percent; and the Americas increased 2 percent. Changes in currency exchange rates increased the reported futures orders growth in Europe and Asia Pacific by 2 percentage points; and in the Americas region decreased reported futures growth by 1 percentage point.* 

Regional Highlights

U.S.
During the third quarter, U.S. revenues increased 2 percent to $1.5 billion versus $1.4 billion for the third quarter of fiscal 2006. U.S. athletic footwear revenues increased 2 percent to $1.0 billion, apparel revenues increased 1 percent to $371.3 million and equipment revenues increased 11 percent to $77.8 million. U.S. pre-tax income decreased 2 percent to $280.2 million from $286.2 million a year ago.

Europe
Third quarter revenues for the European region grew 15 percent to $1.1 billion from $980.1 million for the same period last year.  Changes in currency exchange rates increased revenue growth by 9 percentage points. Footwear revenues increased 12 percent to $630.0 million, apparel revenues increased 19 percent to $413.2 million and equipment revenues increased 18 percent to $81.6 million. Pre-tax income increased 18 percent to $246.5 million.

Revenues in the Americas region increased 5 percent to $212.5 million compared to $203.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2006. Changes in currency exchange rates did not have a significant impact on revenue growth. Footwear revenues were up 6 percent to $152.8 million, apparel revenues declined 5 percent to $42.3 million and equipment revenues grew 16 percent to $17.4 million. Pre-tax income was up 6 percent to $40.7 million.

Gross margins were 44.2 percent during the third quarter compared to 43.6 percent for the same period in the prior year.

Selling and administrative expenses were 31.7 percent of third quarter revenues, compared to 30.1 percent last year. Results for the third quarter included $17.8 million, net of taxes, related to the expensing of stock options, which reduced diluted earnings per share by $0.07. Excluding stock option expense third quarter net income increased 13 percent and diluted earnings per share increased 16 percent to $1.44.

The effective tax rate for the third quarter declined to 32.3 percent mainly due to a European tax agreement, which was finalized in the second quarter of fiscal 2007 and the retroactive reinstatement of the U.S. research and development tax credit signed into law in December.

Balance Sheet Review

At quarter end, global inventories stood at $2.2 billion, an increase of 7 percent from February 28, 2006.  Cash and short-term investments were $2.3 billion at the end of the quarter, compared to $2.0 billion last year.

Share Repurchase

During the third quarter, the Company purchased a total of 906,700 shares for approximately $91 million in conjunction with the Company's four-year $3 billion share repurchase program approved by the Board of Directors in June 2006.

Stock Split

On February 15, 2007, the Board declared a two-for-one stock split of the Company's Class A and Class B common stock to be effected in the form of a 100 percent common stock dividend. All shareholders of record at the close of business on March 12, 2007, will receive one additional share of common stock for each share held on that date. The additional share of common stock will be distributed on April 2, 2007. Information pertaining to shares and earnings per share does not reflect this split. Information reflecting the stock split will be presented after the stock dividend is distributed. 

NIKE, Inc. based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly owned Nike subsidiaries include Cole Haan Holdings Incorporated, a leading designer and marketer of luxury shoes, handbags, accessories and coats; Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic footwear, apparel and accessories; Exeter Brands Group LLC, which designs and markets athletic footwear and apparel for the value retail channel; Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes action sports and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories and NIKE Bauer Hockey Inc., a leading designer and distributor of hockey equipment.

NIKE's earnings releases and other financial information are available on the Internet at www.nikebiz.com/invest.  

* The marked paragraphs contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially.  These risks and uncertainties are detailed from time to time in reports filed by NIKE with the S.E.C., including Forms 8-K, 10-Q, and 10-K. Some forward-looking statements in this release concern changes in futures orders that are not necessarily indicative of changes in total revenues for subsequent periods due to the mix of futures and “at once” orders, exchange rate fluctuations, order cancellations and discounts, which may vary significantly from quarter to quarter, and because a significant portion of the business does not report futures orders.