Nike Inc. (NKE): $75.43
Market Cap: $113.85B
Enterprise Value: $114.22B
Nike (NKE) needs no introduction, given its place as a footwear and athletic apparel/equipment giant. The company was founded at the University of Oregon in 1964 by track athlete Phil Knight and his coach, Bill Bowerman. Nike grew to incredible heights fairly rapidly – gaining around 50% of market share in the U.S. athletic footwear market by 1980, the same year in which the company went public.
I enjoyed reading Shoe Dog by Phil Knight and the movie Air about the company pursuit of Michael Jordan to launch their Air Jordan line of shore. If you ever get a chance to catch a Ducks game at Autzen stadium in Eugene, the company’s impact on the university and the town is unmistakable.