lululemon athletica inc. (LULU) vs Nike (NKE)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 21, 2026.
Summary
Nike (NKE) has outperformed lululemon athletica inc. (LULU) over the past year, losing 45.1% versus a loss of 46.8%. Over five years, NKE leads with a -77.4% price change compared with -78.6% for LULU. Nike is the larger company by market cap ($55.74 billion vs $11.18 billion), about 5.0 times the size, while lululemon athletica inc. is growing revenue faster (+4.9% vs +0.2%).
On valuation, lululemon athletica inc. trades at a lower forward P/E (11.2x vs 23.7x for Nike). Nike pays a dividend yielding 4.37%, while lululemon athletica inc. does not currently pay one. lululemon athletica inc. converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 14.2% versus 6.7%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | LULU | NKE |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $96.53 | $37.53 |
| Market cap | $11.18B | $55.74B |
| 1-day change | -3.41% | -0.92% |
| YTD return | -53.55% | -41.09% |
| 1-year return | -46.78% | -45.10% |
| 5-year return | -78.55% | -77.36% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 8.22 | 18.22 |
| Forward P/E | 11.16 | 23.68 |
| EPS (TTM) | $11.74 | $2.06 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 4.37% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $1.64 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $11.10B | $46.40B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +4.86% | +0.19% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.58B | $3.11B |
| Gross margin | 56.60% | 42.91% |
| Operating margin | 19.91% | — |
| Net margin | 14.22% | 6.70% |
| 52-week high | $225.98 | $70.44 |
| 52-week low | $90.38 | $31.97 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -57.28% | -46.72% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +8.68% | -2.72% |
| Average volume | 4.86M | 32.70M |
| Shares outstanding | 105.59M | 1.20B |
| Employees | 39,000 | 73,000 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Apparel | Shoe Manufacturing |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Nike is about 5.0 times larger than lululemon athletica inc. by market value ($55.74B vs $11.18B).
- Nike trades at a higher earnings multiple (18.2x vs 8.2x trailing P/E).
- Nike offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (4.37% vs 0.00%).
- lululemon athletica inc. is more profitable, keeping 14.2 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 6.7 cents for Nike.
About lululemon athletica inc.
LULU stock →lululemon athletica inc., together with its subsidiaries, designs, distributes, and retails technical athletic apparel, footwear, and accessories for women and men under the lululemon brand in the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau, Greece, and internationally. It offers pants, shorts, tops, and jackets for athletic activities, such as yoga, running, training, and other activities.
Consumer Discretionary · Apparel · 39,000 employees
About Nike
NKE stock →NIKE, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, markets, and sells athletic footwear, apparel, equipment, accessories, and services for men, women, and kids in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Greater China, the Asia Pacific, and Latin America. The company offers its products under the NIKE, Jordan, Converse, Jumpman, Chuck Taylor, All Star, One Star, Star Chevron, and Jack Purcell trademarks.
Consumer Discretionary · Shoe Manufacturing · 73,000 employees
LULU vs NKE FAQ
Which is bigger, lululemon athletica inc. or Nike?
Nike (NKE) is larger, with a market capitalization of $55.74B compared with $11.18B for lululemon athletica inc. (LULU).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, LULU or NKE?
NKE returned -45.10% over the past 12 months, compared with -46.78% for LULU (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, LULU or NKE?
LULU has the lower trailing P/E at 8.2, versus 18.2 for NKE. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, lululemon athletica inc. or Nike?
Nike pays a dividend yielding 4.37%, while lululemon athletica inc. does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are lululemon athletica inc. and Nike in the same industry?
Both are in the Consumer Discretionary sector, but in different industries: Apparel for lululemon athletica inc. and Shoe Manufacturing for Nike.