Nike Q1 earnings preview

The recession has definitely hit Nike along with most other companies, but Nike has been able to weather the slowdown pretty well through some reorganizing and strict control over costs. Revenues this quarter are expected to come in at $4.9 billion, compared with $5.43 billion during the same period last year.

It has definitely been a tough period for Nike. America is its largest market, and consumers here have definitely been cutting back on their spending and looking for some lower-cost options. China is the company's second biggest market, and there the company is dealing with a post Olympics slowdown in sales. So the cards are stacked against Nike in the current environment.

Even with the current market slowdown, Nike has been able to weather the storm better than most, and analysts still like the company. A retail analyst with Standard & Poor's Equity Research, Marie Driscoll, is bullish on the company and gives the stock a "buy" rating.

Driscoll credits the company's "global superbrand status" as its main secret to success, and believes this will put it in a great position once the global recession officially comes to an end and the economies around the world start to recover. She also notes that its global footprint is also going to help it as the U.S. dollar continues to weaken. A weaker dollar will make its goods more attractive overseas and should help give it a boost internationally.

So far the company has been able to meet or beat estimates each quarter during the recession, and we will find out tomorrow following the market close if it is able to keep that streak alive.

What are your predictions? Will Nike beat analyst estimates, or come up a little short? Let us hear your thoughts on this upcoming earnings report.