NIKE INC

U.S. stocks barely moved on Thursday after a report showed improvement in U.S. Mid-Atlantic business activity and companies posted some strong results.

Wall Street was set for a flat open on Thursday, one day after the Dow pushed to a 17-month high, as data showed consumer prices were unchanged in February and the number of new applications for jobless benefits fell slightly less than expected last week.

Stock index futures dipped on Thursday, one day after the Dow pushed to a 17-month high, while investors awaited data on consumer inflation and the labor market.

Stock index futures pointed to a slightly lower open on Wall Street on Thursday, with futures for the S&P 500 down 0.2 percent, Dow Jones futures down 0.07 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures down 0.12 percent.

Nike Inc posted a return to sales and profit growth on Wednesday and forecast higher expected orders around the world after a year of declines, sending its shares up more than 3 percent.

Nike Inc posted a net profit that beat analyst expectations, fueled by fewer clearance sales of merchandise and improving sales around the world, sending its shares up more than 3 percent.

Nike Inc , the largest global sporting gear maker, posted a net profit that beat analysts' expectations, helped by fewer clearance sales of merchandise and improving sales around the world.

Video game publisher Electronic Arts Inc said on Thursday it will introduce the next version of its Tiger Woods console video game in June despite the star golfer's public relations nightmare and decline in popularity following his adultery scandal.

The sex scandal that engulfed Tiger Woods may have cost shareholders of companies endorsed by the world's No. 1 golfer up to $12 billion in losses, according to a study by two economics professors from the University of California, Davis.

Nike Inc forecast a return to sales growth this quarter as it expands market share and rides stronger consumer spending, and on Thursday pledged to stand by Tiger Woods, the face of Nike's golf brand.

Nike Inc reported better-than-expected second-quarter earnings on Thursday as cost-cutting and a steadier order book helped offset weak sales in mature markets, and its shares rose more than 3 percent.

(Corrects drop in net income to 4 pct from 5 pct)

Nike Inc reported lower quarterly net income on Thursday, as weak sales in mature markets cut into profit at the world's largest athletic shoe and apparel maker.

Tiger Woods has just made life a whole lot tougher for athletes looking to score big deals to pitch a company's products or services.

Nike Inc Chairman and co-founder Phil Knight said the scandal surrounding Tiger Woods is part of the game in signing endorsement deals with athletes and did not back away from the athletic shoe and clothing maker's relationship with the golfer.

Tiger Woods' decision to withdraw from professional golf due to a sex scandal raised questions Friday about his future as a magnet for corporate sponsors, with AT&T saying it was evaluating its ties.

Golfer Tiger Woods, engulfed in speculation over his private life after a car accident in the middle of the night, apologized on Wednesday for transgressions in a statement that apparently addressed allegations he had extra-marital relationships.

Adidas AG, the world's second-largest sports goods maker, is confident on consumer demand heading into the Christmas season and ahead of next year's soccer World Cup, after posting an in-line third quarter.

Nike Inc on Thursday denied it has an endorsement deal with Michael Vick more than two years after dumping the National Football League quarterback following his arrest for bankrolling a dog-fighting ring. Nike said it was only supplying gear for Vick as it does with many athletes. In such deals, Nike does not pay the athlete.

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Wednesday after robust factory data from Asia and better-than-expected results from Nike encouraged investors as the quarter comes to a close.

Nike Inc beat quarterly profit expectations as deep cost cuts and lower taxes more than offset crumbling revenue in key markets like the United States and China, sending its shares up 4.4 percent.