It’s time to start buying Nike Inc.’s stock, as a new management team of company veterans should reignite investor excitement by showing them “there are better times ahead,” according to a former Wall Street skeptic.

Analysts at Truist Securities have upgraded Nike (NYSE:NKE) stock to Buy, a move driven by optimism around recent leadership changes. The price target has also been raised to $97 from $83, reflecting more than 17% upside

But over the past five years, Apple's stock quadrupled while Nike's stock declined more than 10%. If we include reinvested dividends, Apple's stock generated a total return of 313% as Nike's total return was negative 7%. Let's consider why Apple outperformed Nike -- and whether it remains a more compelling investment.

Truist Securities upgraded shares of the apparel maker to Buy from Hold, and raised their price target to $97.

Today's bull note is welcome news for Nike stock, with the company still reeling from a disappointing fiscal first-quarter revenue miss on Oct. 1. NKE suffered a steep post-earnings bear gap of nearly 7%,

For years, Nike has been a top brand that has enjoyed a strong following, with people often willing to pay a premium for it