NKE vs DECK

For growth investors, Deckers Outdoor Corporation (DECK) is the stronger pick with 16.

3% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -9. 8% for NIKE, Inc. (NKE). Deckers Outdoor Corporation (DECK) offers the better valuation at 16. 4x trailing P/E (15. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate NIKE, Inc. (NKE) a "Buy" — based on 71 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

On trailing P/E, Deckers Outdoor Corporation (DECK) is the cheapest at 16.

4x versus NIKE, Inc. at 20. 3x. On forward P/E, Deckers Outdoor Corporation is actually cheaper at 15. 1x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Deckers Outdoor Corporation wins at 0. 48x versus NIKE, Inc. 's 4. 77x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Deckers Outdoor Corporation (DECK) delivered a total return of +83.

2%, compared to -61. 9% for NIKE, Inc. (NKE). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: DECK returned +1007% versus NKE's -5. 6%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), NIKE, Inc.

(NKE) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 17β versus Deckers Outdoor Corporation's 1. 46β — meaning DECK is approximately 25% more volatile than NKE relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Deckers Outdoor Corporation (DECK) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 11% versus 83% for NIKE, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Deckers Outdoor Corporation (DECK) is pulling ahead at 16.

3% versus -9. 8% for NIKE, Inc. (NKE). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Deckers Outdoor Corporation grew EPS 30. 2% year-over-year, compared to -42. 1% for NIKE, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, DECK leads at 16. 5% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

Deckers Outdoor Corporation (DECK) is the more profitable company, earning 19.

4% net margin versus 7. 0% for NIKE, Inc. — meaning it keeps 19. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: DECK leads at 23. 6% versus 8. 0% for NKE. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — DECK leads at 57. 9%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, Deckers Outdoor Corporation (DECK) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 48x versus NIKE, Inc. 's 4. 77x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Deckers Outdoor Corporation (DECK) trades at 15. 1x forward P/E versus 29. 5x for NIKE, Inc. — 14. 4x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for NKE: 59. 3% to $69. 88.

In this comparison, NKE (3.

5% yield) pays a dividend. DECK does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, NIKE, Inc.

(NKE) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 17), 3. 5% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (NKE: -5. 6%, DECK: +1007%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

Both stocks operate in the Consumer Cyclical sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

In terms of investment character: NKE is a mid-cap income-oriented stock; DECK is a mid-cap high-growth stock. NKE pays a dividend while DECK does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.