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The Motley Fool Take

There may be no big-brand stock executing better than Nike (NYSE: NKE). The sportswear giant’s flawless fourth-quarter earnings report featured revenue jumping 21% over pre-pandemic (2019) levels. Profit also surged thanks to the shift to higher-profit-margin direct sales, as Nike’s earnings per share of $0.93 easily topped analyst expectations of $0.51. Meanwhile, management projects revenue growth in the low double digits this fiscal year, and rising profit margins.

Nike’s strength in direct-to-consumer and digital sales, the strategy it calls Consumer Direct Acceleration, is set to power that growth. Through apps like Nike Training Club and Nike Run Club, Nike has built out an audience of 300 million members, which drove $3 billion in revenue in the latest quarter. Also, Nike’s women’s sportswear has become a major growth driver for Nike, with fiscal 2021 revenue up 22% year over year.

It’s no accident that Nike is poised for another decade of domination. The stock has been a juggernaut since it went public in 1980, rising nearly 100,000%. In other words, $1,000 invested in the stock then would be worth nearly $1 million now.

Nike’s industry is not one that changes quickly, and with an unrivaled brand, a history of innovation, vast marketing power and a sparkling roster of sports stars, the sneaker behemoth won’t be knocked from its throne any time soon. (The Motley Fool owns shares of and has recommended Nike.)