Under Armour Inc (UA): The Freight Train Continues

Perhaps even more important, however, is the mammoth opportunity Under Armour is seizing in the athletic-footwear market, which itself, as a I pointed out earlier this week, is expected to grow by nearly 15% to $85 billion by 2018.

That’s why I’m also impressed that Under Armour Inc (NYSE:UA)’s first-quarter footwear revenue increased 27% to $81 million. While that might seem minuscule in the broad scheme of things, remember CEO Kevin Plank’s words in 2011, when he placed NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE)‘s 90% basketball shoe market share squarely in Under Armour’s sights:

And what I can commit to you is that I’m not going to make predictions on exactly how much market share, but I would much rather be sitting where we are because it’s coming. We will take market share. It’s a freight train. And I believe that the opportunity we have is great.

Great indeed. While Under Armour Inc (NYSE:UA) may seem more like a pesky mosquito to NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) in the footwear market right now, I’m convinced it won’t take long to morph into the freight train Plank described. In fact, given Under Armour’s recent lawsuit against Nike over trademark infringement in its advertising, it’s already becoming more evident NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) is taking Under Armour’s threat seriously.

Foolish final thoughts
In the end, however, despite the fierce competition, I’m still convinced that Under Armour’s freight train has what it takes to continue full steam ahead.

The article The Under Armour Freight Train Continues originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Steve Symington.

Fool contributor Steve Symington owns shares of Under Armour. The Motley Fool recommends and owns shares of Nike and Under Armour.

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