Nike shares fall after mixed earnings report, layoffs news

Nike shares fall after mixed earnings report, layoffs news

Nike shares are falling on Friday, after the company reported mixed third-quarter earnings late Thursday and confirmed it was laying off employees.

Shares were down nearly 4% midday. The stock has gained more than 95% over the past year and has a market value of $217 billion.

Nike did not disclose the jobs cuts in its Thursday earnings report or call with investors. The layoffs were first reported by The Oregonian, which covers the Portland-area based sneaker company.

Nike said the cuts follow layoffs that began last summer. As of May 31, 2020, Nike employed about 75,400 workers worldwide, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

In a prepared statement, Nike it was "focused on shifting resources and creating capacity to reinvest in our highest potential growth areas."

"We are building a flatter, nimbler company and more quickly transforming Nike to define the marketplace of the future," it said. 

On Thursday, the athletic apparel retailer said its revenue dropped 10% year over year in North America during its fiscal third quarter ended Feb. 28, as backlogged ports delayed shipments. That caused merchandise to arrive weeks late to its own stores and those of its wholesale partners, such as department stores and sporting goods outlets,