10 Best Safe Stocks To Buy According to Analysts

4. NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE)

Analyst Upside as of December 6, 2024: 17%

10-Year Revenue Growth Rate: 5.67%

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 75

NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) is an athletic footwear and apparel company, with a market share of almost 35% in the sports footwear category in the United States, ranking fourth on our list of the safe stocks to buy according to analysts. In the fiscal first quarter of 2025, the company generated $11.6 billion in revenue, of which the NIKE Brand revenues were $11.1 billion, NIKE Direct revenues were $4.7 billion, and wholesale revenues were $6.4 billion. In the same quarter, the company saw a 120 basis point increase in gross profits to reach 45.4%. NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) shares that their results met expectations and expect momentum to grow further, considering its inclination towards more innovative approaches.

NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) is on track to make a comeback and we say that because in the fiscal first quarter of 2025, the company returned $1.8 billion to its shareholders. Of this, dividends consisted of $558 million, up by 6%, and share repurchases made up $1.2 billion. In addition to that, cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $10.3 billion, up by $1.5 billion from the previous year. Cash generated by operations was offset by share repurchases, cash dividends, and capital expenditures. Overall, analysts are bullish on the stock and their median price target represents an upside of 17% from current levels.