Nike defies sales stagnation with China a standout

Nike Inc posted second-quarter results that showed the footwear and athletic-apparel giant remains largely immune to the shopper malaise that has plagued much of retail.

The world's largest sporting-goods maker posted profit of 90 cents a share, topping analysts' average estimate of 86 cents, as it continued to reap the rewards of a dominant brand and the ongoing fashion shift toward casual, sporty attire. It also defied concerns about slowing economic growth in China, with revenue there gaining 24 percent to $938 million.

Orders for the Nike brand for the next four months rose 20 percent. Analysts expected a 13.6 percent gain. Net income increased 20 percent to $785 million, while sales rose 4.1 percent to $7.69 billion. Analysts estimated $7.81 billion.