Nike’s latest quarterly update has put the spotlight back on athletic footwear and apparel stocks, with the Nike stock jump, heavy trading volume and mixed regional performance all giving fresh clues about where investor attention is heading next. For readers looking at how this news might ripple across the sector, the key question is which companies could be helped by renewed interest in running, wholesale channels and disciplined inventory, and which might feel pressure from issues like weaker China trends. This article breaks down 3 stocks from the screener that appear positively exposed to the same forces moving Nike today.

PVH (PVH)

Overview: PVH is a global apparel company behind Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, designing and selling a wide range of clothing, footwear, accessories and lifestyle products across wholesale, company operated stores and digital channels. Its brands span everything from jeans and underwear to fragrance and home products, reaching consumers in the US and internationally.

Operations: PVH generates most of its revenue in Europe, the Middle East and Africa at US$4.3b, followed by the Americas at US$2.7b, Asia Pacific at US$1.6b and Licensing at US$414.5m.

Market Cap: US$3.5b

PVH provides exposure to athletic inspired apparel through Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger at a time when Nike’s running and wholesale trends have put fresh attention on the category. The stock also reflects concerns about tariffs, EMEA softness and slower revenue growth. The company is focusing on inventory discipline and a demand led supply chain, and is also prioritizing higher margin direct to consumer and licensing. This is occurring alongside analyst forecasts for faster earnings growth and a large gap to Simply Wall St’s DCF value. Recent leadership appointments and active capital returns contribute to a complex situation where sentiment and fundamentals are not fully aligned.

PVH’s earnings story is starting to decouple from sentiment, with inventory discipline and higher margin channels taking center stage, while the share price still reflects old worries. Get the full context in the analyst forecasts for PVH

Crocs (CROX)

Overview: Crocs is a global footwear company that designs, manufactures and sells casual shoes and accessories for men, women and children, led by its Crocs clogs and expanding HEYDUDE range. The company reaches customers through wholesalers, its own stores, e-commerce and third party marketplaces, with products that span clogs, sandals, sneakers, boots and lifestyle accessories.

Operations: Crocs generates most of its revenue from the Crocs brand at about US$3.3b, with the HEYDUDE brand contributing roughly US$693m.

Market Cap: US$6.2b

Crocs sits at the heart of the athletic footwear conversation sparked by Nike’s results, with a globally recognized brand, direct control over design and manufacturing, and growing international reach that analysts say is helping reduce reliance on North America. At the same time, investors have to weigh high debt, recent losses, HEYDUDE’s slower wholesale performance and meaningful insider selling against a stock that Simply Wall St’s DCF suggests trades below estimated fair value and that analysts describe as having improving earnings trends and tighter cost control. For readers trying to work out whether Crocs is being mispriced or correctly discounted for these risks, the details behind its cash returns, DTC focus and HEYDUDE reset are crucial.

Crocs’ valuation debate is only half the story, with cash generation, debt and the HEYDUDE reset all pulling in different directions. Get the context behind this tension in the analysis report for Crocs

Steven Madden (SHOO)

Overview: Steven Madden designs, sources and markets fashion focused footwear, accessories and apparel, ranging from boots and fashion sneakers to handbags and apparel, sold across its own stores, e-commerce and a broad mix of wholesale partners in the US and internationally.

Operations: Steven Madden generates most of its revenue from Wholesale Footwear at about US$1.0b, followed by Direct-To-Consumer at US$939.6m, Wholesale Accessories/Apparel at US$662.3m and Licensing at US$13.9m, with US$1.7b coming from the United States and US$981.2m from international markets.

Market Cap: US$2.9b

Steven Madden gives you a pure play on fashion and athleisure footwear at a moment when Nike’s results have put fresh focus on running, wholesale partners and cleaner inventory, yet the picture is far from straightforward. The company is leaning into digital growth, younger consumers and higher margin direct to consumer channels. The Kurt Geiger acquisition and international expansion offer additional ways to broaden the business. At the same time, profit margins have come under pressure, the P/E is high versus peers and tariffs, sourcing concentration and wholesale caution keep risk firmly on the table. Investors who want to understand whether that mix justifies the current valuation need to look closely at how earnings quality, cash generation and pricing power develop from here.

Steven Madden’s push into athleisure, digital and Kurt Geiger could be masking a sharper shift in earnings quality and pricing power. Get the full picture in the full narrative for Steven Madden

The three stocks highlighted here are just a starting point, and the full screener has surfaced 6 more athletic footwear and apparel companies with equally compelling narratives in the Athletic Footwear and Apparel Sector screener. Use Simply Wall St to identify and analyze the specific catalysts, earnings drivers and business narratives that matter most to you so you can focus on the highest conviction opportunities in this sector.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.