NKE Stock Ticks Higher After Hours on Second Round of Layoffs In 2026

• This marks the second round of layoffs this year at Nike. 
• The cuts affect employees across North America, Asia, and Europe, as per the report.
• Nike Chief Operating Officer Venkatesh Alagirisamy said in a note to staff that the reductions are part of the company’s “Win Now” turnaround strategy.

Shares of Nike (NKE) edged up after hours on Thursday following a report that it is cutting approximately 1,400 roles, about 2% of its global workforce, in its second round of layoffs this year, with the majority concentrated in the company’s technology department.

According to a report from CNBC, citing a note to staff from Nike Chief Operating Officer Venkatesh Alagirisamy,  the reductions are part of the company’s “Win Now” turnaround strategy to simplify complexities in its global operations. The moves include reshaping the technology team, modernizing Air manufacturing, relocating some Converse Footwear operations, and integrating materials supply chain work into the footwear and apparel supply chain teams.

“Collectively, these changes will result in a reduction of approximately 1,400 roles in global operations, with the majority in technology,” Alagirisamy reportedly wrote. “These reductions are very hard for the teammates directly affected and for the teams around them, too.”

A Nike spokesperson told CNBC the layoffs are intended to better position the organization for the current pace of sports and to accelerate its growth. The cuts affect employees across North America, Asia, and Europe. Affected employees will begin receiving notice on Thursday, the report said.

Recent Layoffs

The latest round follows 775 job cuts in January, which were primarily at U.S.-based distribution centers as Nike accelerated automation efforts. That came on top of a smaller round of layoffs last summer that affected less than 1% of its corporate staff.

CEO Elliott Hill has been working to turn the company around after years of slumping sales. Persistent softness in China — where sales are now expected to plunge an additional 20% in the current quarter — along with deliberate inventory reduction for its legacy sneaker lines like the Air Jordan 1s and steep declines at Converse (down 35%), continue to weigh on Nike’s performance.

The company guided for low-single-digit revenue declines over the next nine months earlier this month, signaling that efforts to reset the business through layoffs, supply-chain automation, and a renewed focus on performance innovation will add pressure to top-line growth well into fiscal 2027.

How Did Stocktwits Users React?

On Stocktwits, retail sentiment around NKE stock stayed within the ‘bearish’ territory over the past 24 hours, while message volume stayed at ‘low’ levels.

A Stocktwits user expressed disappointment that the company resorted to job cuts.

Another user reiterated optimism for the stock bouncing big in the coming years.

NKE stock has lost 22% over the past 12 months.

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