NEW YORK (REUTERS) - Nike Inc's shares were set to open at a record high on Wednesday (Sept 23) after the world's largest sports shoemaker posted stellar quarterly results, driven by online sales.

Shares of the company were up 12.6 per cent at US$131.6 (S$180) in pre-market trading.

The brand's digital sales, especially in North America, helped offset fall in sales at traditional brick-and-mortar stores due to Covid-19 restrictions and social-distancing measures.

At least seven brokerages raised their 12-month price targets on the stock with the biggest bump coming from Jefferies analysts, who raised their target to US$117 from US$95.

Jefferies analyst Randal Konik said that improvement in North America is the "biggest positive surprise" from Nike's results, and expects the Beaverton, Oregon-based company to do well in the long term, as consumers focus more on health and wellness.

Nike's results should come as a relief to investors after the company, just a quarter ago, reported a surprise loss of US$790 million as retailers cancelled orders and people kept away from Nike stores in key markets including North America, Europe and China.

"Nike offered its clearest signal yet that a higher digital mix and improving margins within the digital segment will push consolidated margins above historical levels," Credit Suisse analyst Michael Binetti said.