Nike Revisited on Wallstrip

Damn can this company execute. Doubt me – take a look at a comparative recent stock chart of Under Armor. I have been long the stock for a few years and have really just forgotten about it. Here is my first post way back in 2005 (amazing how little has changed). There is not much to do here except check in once a year. Here Lindsay discusses the brand back in our very first week:

It’s a fun show today with our guest host Julie and the team discussing some of the latest Umbro transaction details .

I have yet to order my first pair of custom shoes, but it looks like I am missing out on some fun. I will have to do this soon with Max and Rachel.

Here is Michael Galpert’s very recent experience with Nike ID . Sounds like fun.

Brian has a look at the pricing picture of the stock:

Amazing how the stock has held up in the credit/crunch market meltdown. As Brian points out in the video, Under Armor has melted down 30 percent. Nike’s global strength and reach has played a factor here. The weak dollar does help, but it’s such a global company that it is likely muted related to other American brands.

I will just hold on, likely for decades or until Tiger Woods gets caught drunk, crossdressed and shanking balls on the range.

Disclosure – Long Nike.

The Tiger Trend

It is a long way from over. Too bad they have tricked up Augusta or he would have had a few more majors already .

He was at it again today. I just watched because that’s what you should do when you can watch one of the greatest athletes of all time perform in a major event. It was nice to see Ernie back in the hunt, but he is no Tiger. Now he has finished second SIX times behind a Tiger victory.

Phil has a great rundown on Tiger’s victory .

I will continue to stay with Nike and Electronic Arts, two of the best ways to profit from the Tiger trend.

Disclosure – Long Nike and Electronic Arts

The Masters Wrapup – Jesus is Pissed as well…

So I call my bookie to complain about my losing Tiger Bet. How do you account for Jesus being on Zach Johnson’s side.

Seems like that was not factored in to the odds.

Look at the shit he was pulling on Tiger yesterday:

I appreciate faith and I do believe in it. I think Zach is lucky to have found it. It helped him. He is to be commended.

But that’s the first guy he thanks. Please. He wasn’t thanking him after the two foot miss on 17 rest assured.

Jesus had him winning by 3 according to my bookie so I hear he’s now pissed too.

The Nintendo Wii gives NEW life to an old TREND – Gaming

I am not a gamer. That may change soon.

‘Guitar Hero’ does nothing for me. It seems I am in the minority. The PSP is cool and my son is addicted, but my daughter Rachel could give a hoot.

I know the Wii seems like old news, but it is not. Investors are clamoring for the stock , despite it being a pink sheet inhabitant.

I have passed on the Wii hype for now because I figured we had a Playstation 2 or 3 and my son rarely plays.

BUT ,

I saw the Electronic Arts commercial for Tiger Woods Wii Golf game and the WHOLE family went WOO for the Wii at the same time. This is a can’t miss homerun. This is great for golf, families, gaming, Wii, and Electronic Arts. That’s just off the top of my head.

I just saw Andy’s post on Wii and I am reminded of the two extra addiction and adoption factors – ease of use and big screen TV’s.

The obvious long-term benefactors remain the same: Electronic Arts (ERTS), Nintendo (NTDOY.PK), Activision (ATVI), Gamestop (GME), Best Buy (BBY) and even Sony (SNE).

Sony is a play because they will adopt and Nintendo will make mistakes. Their ‘faux’ shortage games have already started . Sony’s distribution power is not to be underestimated.

Today, Gamestop (GME) exploded to another all-time high and Activision looks poised. Electronic Arts was up big as well. Sony has been on a tear of late despite the Wii kicking it’s ass.

I am glad to have caught Electronic Arts down 20 percent. Keep your eye on this sector for inevitable selloffs as their will continue to be massive gains in the years ahead.

On Wallstrip , we have covered Sony and Electronic Arts . Looks like we will be doing more on this sector in the months and years ahead.

Any other obvious winners worthy of Wallstrip ?

BTW – If we legalize marijuana, these stocks double overnight .

Disclosure – Long ERTS and buying a few shares of Nintendo tomorrow and hoping it has an immediate hiccup. I have never inhaled.

Phoenix Suns, Tiger Woods and Roger Federer win….again!

ESPN was questioning which winning streak is more impressive. It’s not close:

1. Tiger Woods winning 7 straight tournaments is incredible. He has to beat the whole field. He now has 55 wins on tour. Absurd.

2. Roger Federer is second but not close to Tiger.

3. Phoenix Suns. While I am biased and the Sun’s are great, they are a distant third.

Electronic Arts – Game on!

I am not a gamer.

I have never owned Electronic Arts. No good reason. Big Woops (mistake) on my part.

Like any great growth stock, the ride has not been perfectly smooth, BUT – what a ride.

Our show today at Wallstrip focuses on the gamers and “Madden” football. An amazing brand within a brand for sure.

I have avoided gaming stocks mainly because they seem like Hollywood entertainment companies and am always worried about seasonal sales and a big bad gaming miss. I think things are a little different now that the industry is as stable as ever, you have global gamers and you have a GIANT resale and exchange market at the game retailers like Gamestop.

I may just buy a few shares if Electronic Arts pushes past $60 to an all-time high. NOTE – Activision is trading very close to all-time highs as well. Hmmmm.

Speaking of Madden, I was watching Letterman the other night and was crying at Frank Caliendo doing impersonations. Thanks YouTube for making the search simple. The perfect Madden impersonation:

PS – The first kid in the McDonald’s commercial after today’s Electronic Arts show looks exactly like a Young Tiger Woods. Freaky!

Still Hooked on Oakley and adding a little Nike – AND Dreaming of the perfect sporting goods merger.

I am revisiting the stock of Oakley for the following reasons:

Footwear and eyewear. I love their sandals and golf shoes. Cops love their boots. Here is the vision of my affection:

The oRockr’s have stereo built in headsets that fit better than ever, comfy frames and the ability to switch from music to phone with a touch of a button – all wirelessly.

They offer a little wireless adapter for any iPod that weighs an ounze but turns the Oakley glasses into a wireless set of frames for music and phone calls. Less chips needed in the frame gives them a sleeker look.

I have tried them and they are awesome.

I still have a big problem with the store setup, but they have cleaned it up a little.

With Nike running on all cylindars and a weak eyewear division, the match has never seemed more synergistic. By Buying oakley, Nike can outfit all their cool, mainstream hoop, golf, tennis and football stars in Oakley/iPod enabled WiFi phones and music glasses. Tiger hitting range balls in a pair of these would just be sweet!

Just Do it!

Disclosure – Long Nike, Oakley, Adobe, Apple, Akamai, Webx, OIL

Tiger wins fifth in a row. Yawn!

Vijay looked sick to his stomach as Tiger threw 2 eagles at him on the front nine today. He went on to shoot a classic 8 under in the final round, catching Vijay who was ahead by three at the start of the day.

What a nice trend he has put together. Of course it will end, but it feels good to be watching him on this hot streak. It is perfection in sports.