Bengaluru: Nike Inc’s profit beat market estimates as the world’s largest sportswear maker sold more shoes and apparel at higher margins. Nike also said on Thursday orders for shoes and apparel scheduled for delivery from March through July 2015, a gauge of demand Nike calls “futures orders,” rose 11 per cent globally, excluding the impact of currency exchange rate fluctuations. Analysts on average expected global futures orders to grow 9.9 per cent, excluding currency fluctuations, according to Consensus Metrix. Demand for the company’s Jordan, LeBron, Kobe and KD basketball shoe brands have been strong in the United States. The company’s running shoe brands, including Free 5.0, Roshe Run, Huarache, and Max Air, have also been doing well.