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Starbucks (SBUX)
NASDAQ:SBUX
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Starbucks (SBUX) AI Stock Analysis

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SBUX

Starbucks

(NASDAQ:SBUX)

Rating:67Neutral
Price Target:
$98.00
▲(8.17% Upside)
Starbucks' overall stock score reflects strong financial performance and strategic initiatives, particularly in international markets. However, high leverage, declining U.S. sales, and a high valuation pose risks. The company's focus on operational improvements and strategic investments is promising, but current financial pressures and market challenges need to be addressed for sustained growth.
Positive Factors
Financial Performance
Tangible evidence of progress toward better financial performance should provide a boost to investor sentiment.
Leadership and Management
Analyst has high conviction that turnaround strategies under new leadership will be effective in transforming Starbucks into a better company.
Product and Service Innovation
The Green Apron service model and enhanced innovation pipeline are expected to improve U.S. comps.
Negative Factors
Cost and Margin Pressure
Near-term margins will remain pressured as Starbucks reaches $500 million labor investment run rate.
External and Internal Challenges
A difficult external backdrop or slower progress on improving internal fundamentals could impede the U.S. comps recovery.
Rewards Program Transition
There is risk to rewards transactions during the transition to a new tiering mechanism in the rewards program.

Starbucks (SBUX) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Starbucks Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionStarbucks Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a roaster, marketer, and retailer of specialty coffee worldwide. The company operates through three segments: North America, International, and Channel Development. Its stores offer coffee and tea beverages, roasted whole beans and ground coffees, single serve products, and ready-to-drink beverages; and various food products, such as pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and lunch items. The company also licenses its trademarks through licensed stores, and grocery and foodservice accounts. The company offers its products under the Starbucks, Teavana, Seattle's Best Coffee, Evolution Fresh, Ethos, Starbucks Reserve, and Princi brands. As of October 3, 2021, it operated 16,826 company-operated and licensed stores in North America; and 17,007 company-operated and licensed stores internationally. The company was founded in 1971 and is based in Seattle, Washington.
How the Company Makes MoneyStarbucks generates revenue primarily through the sale of beverages and food items in its retail locations, which include both company-operated and licensed stores. The company’s revenue model is diversified, with key revenue streams including: 1) Retail Sales: The core revenue comes from selling coffee, tea, and food products at its stores. 2) Consumer Packaged Goods: Starbucks sells packaged coffee and tea products through grocery stores and other retailers, expanding its brand reach beyond its cafes. 3) Licensing: Starbucks earns royalties and fees from licensed stores that operate under its brand, allowing for a broader market presence without the overhead costs of company-operated locations. 4) Digital and Mobile Sales: Starbucks has invested in its digital platform, including a mobile app that facilitates orders, payments, and loyalty rewards, driving repeat business and customer engagement. 5) Strategic Partnerships: Collaborations with companies like Nestlé for the distribution of its coffee products and with delivery services enhance its revenue channels. The combination of these streams, along with a strong focus on customer loyalty programs, contributes significantly to Starbucks' financial performance.

Starbucks Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Store Count
Store Count
Tracks the number of Starbucks locations globally, indicating market penetration, brand expansion, and potential for revenue growth.
Chart InsightsStarbucks' store count has shown consistent growth, surpassing 40,000 locations by mid-2025. This expansion aligns with their strategic focus on international markets, particularly China, which has seen a rise in transactions. Despite challenges in the U.S. market with declining sales, the company is implementing initiatives like the Green Apron Service to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency. These efforts, alongside a robust menu pipeline and rewards program, are expected to improve margins and drive future growth, mitigating current financial setbacks.
Data provided by:Main Street Data

Starbucks Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jul 29, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: -1.89%|
Next Earnings Date:Oct 30, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call reflected a mix of positive strides, particularly internationally and in operational improvements, along with challenges in the U.S. market with declining sales and margins. The strategic investments are seen as laying the groundwork for future growth, despite current financial setbacks.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record International Revenue
The International segment achieved more than $2 billion in quarterly revenue for the first time ever, with China delivering 2% comparable sales growth and a 6% increase in transactions.
Positive Engagement and Operational Improvements
Retail partner engagement scores and coffeehouse leader engagement are nearing historic highs, with hourly partner turnover at 49.1% and shift completion at a record 98.2%.
Launch of Green Apron Service
Introduction of the Green Apron Service across U.S. stores, aimed at improving customer service and operational standards, has shown positive early results in pilot stores.
Strong Performance in Canada and Delivery Business
Canada led North America with positive comparable sales, and the delivery business showed over 25% year-over-year transaction growth.
Negative Updates
Decline in U.S. Comparable Sales
The U.S. saw a 2% decline in comparable store sales, with transaction comps down nearly 4% due to lapping of highly discounted promotions in the prior year.
Contraction in Operating Margin
Consolidated operating margin contracted by 650 basis points to 10.1%, due to deleverage and investments in the 'Back to Starbucks' strategy.
Decreased Earnings Per Share
EPS fell by 45% to $0.50, reflecting expense deleverage and strategic investments.
Company Guidance
During Starbucks' Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2025 conference call, the company outlined strategic initiatives and performance metrics as it continues its turnaround efforts. Starbucks reported total company net revenue of $9.5 billion, with a global comparable store sales decline of 2% and a global operating margin of 10.1%. Earnings per share were $0.50. In North America, the U.S. saw a 2% decline in comparable sales, while Canada experienced positive sales growth. Internationally, China achieved 2% comparable sales growth and 6% transaction growth. Key initiatives include the rollout of the Green Apron Service model, which has shown promise in pilot tests, improving transactions and service times. The company is also focusing on a comprehensive evaluation of its coffeehouse portfolio, introducing new store prototypes, and driving innovation in 2026 with a robust menu pipeline. Starbucks highlighted the importance of enhancing their rewards program, which currently boasts nearly 34 million active members. The company's strategic investments, such as the Leadership Experience 2025, and operational improvements are expected to yield healthier margins and stronger financial performance over time.

Starbucks Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Starbucks exhibits robust revenue growth and effective cash flow generation, supporting its operational and strategic initiatives. However, high leverage and declining net margins highlight potential financial risks. The company must focus on improving profitability and reducing financial leverage to enhance long-term stability.
Income Statement
75
Positive
Starbucks demonstrates strong revenue growth with a 12.7% increase in total revenue from 2022 to TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months). The gross profit margin is robust at 36.5% for the TTM, indicating efficient cost management. However, the net profit margin has slightly decreased to 8.6% in TTM, reflecting potential challenges in controlling non-operating expenses. The EBIT margin is solid at 12.5%, but slightly down from previous periods, suggesting a need to enhance operational efficiency. Overall, the income statement shows a healthy top-line growth but slight pressure on profitability margins.
Balance Sheet
65
Positive
Starbucks’ balance sheet reflects high leverage with a negative stockholders' equity of $7.6 billion in TTM, indicating a debt-heavy capital structure. The debt-to-equity ratio is not calculable due to negative equity, emphasizing the financial risk. Despite this, the company maintains a stable asset base of $31.6 billion, demonstrating resilience. The equity ratio is negative, highlighting potential vulnerability. While Starbucks manages its assets well, the high leverage poses a significant risk to financial stability.
Cash Flow
80
Positive
Starbucks shows strong cash flow generation with operating cash flow of $5.28 billion in TTM and a healthy free cash flow of $3.06 billion. The free cash flow to net income ratio is high, indicating efficient cash conversion. However, a decline in operating cash flow compared to the previous year suggests the need for improved cash management. Despite minor fluctuations, the company's cash flow remains strong, supporting its operational needs and capital expenditure.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue36.35B36.18B35.98B32.25B29.06B23.52B
Gross Profit9.07B9.71B9.85B8.37B8.39B5.06B
EBITDA6.33B7.12B7.40B6.24B7.35B3.10B
Net Income3.13B3.76B4.12B3.28B4.20B928.30M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets31.63B31.34B29.45B27.98B31.39B29.37B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments3.01B3.54B3.95B3.18B6.62B4.63B
Total Debt26.01B25.80B24.60B23.80B23.61B25.26B
Total Liabilities39.25B38.78B37.43B36.68B36.71B37.17B
Stockholders Equity-7.62B-7.45B-7.99B-8.71B-5.32B-7.81B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow2.77B3.32B3.68B2.56B4.52B114.20M
Operating Cash Flow5.57B6.10B6.01B4.40B5.99B1.60B
Investing Cash Flow-2.93B-2.70B-2.27B-2.15B-319.50M-1.71B
Financing Cash Flow-2.72B-3.72B-2.99B-5.64B-3.65B1.71B

Starbucks Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price90.60
Price Trends
50DMA
92.00
Negative
100DMA
88.48
Positive
200DMA
93.72
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.07
Negative
RSI
47.36
Neutral
STOCH
61.80
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For SBUX, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 90.6 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 91.63, below the 50-day MA of 92.00, and below the 200-day MA of 93.72, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -0.07 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 47.36 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 61.80 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for SBUX.

Starbucks Risk Analysis

Starbucks disclosed 30 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Starbucks reported the most risks in the "Production" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Starbucks Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
76
Outperform
$16.53B18.5215.84%1.79%3.53%16.64%
74
Outperform
$11.49B26.3732.28%1.49%14.59%18.98%
70
Outperform
$220.47B26.46-216.57%2.26%1.17%2.09%
69
Neutral
$10.41B133.779.99%29.80%85.84%
67
Neutral
$105.78B40.25-47.07%2.69%0.60%-35.19%
66
Neutral
$40.73B28.99-19.43%1.86%11.30%-7.82%
61
Neutral
$17.23B11.50-5.97%3.09%1.49%-16.00%
* Consumer Cyclical Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
SBUX
Starbucks
90.60
0.60
0.67%
MCD
McDonald's
308.93
27.98
9.96%
TXRH
Texas Roadhouse
172.84
7.11
4.29%
YUM
Yum! Brands
148.18
14.12
10.53%
YUMC
Yum China Holdings
44.75
11.55
34.79%
BROS
Dutch Bros Inc
62.99
31.63
100.86%

Starbucks Corporate Events

Executive/Board ChangesBusiness Operations and Strategy
Starbucks Approves Performance-Based Stock Units for Executives
Positive
Jul 2, 2025

On June 29, 2025, Starbucks‘ Board of Directors approved performance-based restricted stock units for its executive officers as part of the ‘Back to Starbucks’ strategy. This initiative aims to motivate leaders to achieve transformation goals, including reducing operating expenses and enhancing in-store experiences, with potential shareholder value creation. The awards, valued at $6,000,000, are contingent on meeting specific targets by fiscal year 2027, with payouts linked to operational achievements and shareholder returns.

The most recent analyst rating on (SBUX) stock is a Hold with a $76.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Starbucks stock, see the SBUX Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyRegulatory Filings and Compliance
Starbucks Updates Bylaws for Enhanced Transparency
Neutral
Jun 30, 2025

On June 25, 2025, Starbucks Corporation’s board of directors amended the company’s bylaws to align with the SEC’s universal proxy rules and updated procedures for shareholder director nominations and business proposals. These changes are expected to enhance transparency and modernize shareholder engagement, potentially impacting the company’s governance and stakeholder interactions.

The most recent analyst rating on (SBUX) stock is a Hold with a $76.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Starbucks stock, see the SBUX Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board ChangesBusiness Operations and Strategy
Starbucks Expands Board with New Appointments
Positive
Jun 26, 2025

On June 25, 2025, Starbucks announced the expansion of its Board of Directors from nine to eleven members, appointing Marissa Mayer and Dambisa F. Moyo as new directors. This strategic move is expected to enhance Starbucks’ focus on technology, transformation, and global affairs, aligning with its ‘Back to Starbucks’ strategy to leverage digital tools and strengthen its market position.

The most recent analyst rating on (SBUX) stock is a Hold with a $76.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Starbucks stock, see the SBUX Stock Forecast page.

Private Placements and FinancingBusiness Operations and Strategy
Starbucks Enters New Five-Year Credit Agreement
Neutral
Jun 16, 2025

On June 13, 2025, Starbucks Corporation entered into a new Five-Year Credit Agreement with several financial institutions, including Bank of America and Wells Fargo, among others. This new agreement led to the termination of a previous credit agreement from September 16, 2021, reflecting Starbucks’ strategic financial adjustments to support its operations and growth.

The most recent analyst rating on (SBUX) stock is a Hold with a $76.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Starbucks stock, see the SBUX Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board ChangesBusiness Operations and Strategy
Starbucks Appoints Mike Grams as COO
Neutral
Jun 4, 2025

On June 4, 2025, Starbucks Corporation announced the appointment of Mike Grams as the new Chief Operating Officer, reinstating the position within its executive leadership team. This strategic move aims to enhance leadership accountability and operational efficiency by consolidating global coffeehouse development and supply chain under Grams’ oversight. Additionally, the company is undergoing organizational changes to strengthen its focus on sustainability and brand integration, with key leadership roles being restructured to accelerate progress towards its business goals. The departure of Brad Lerman, the Chief Legal Officer, was also announced, with a search for his successor underway.

The most recent analyst rating on (SBUX) stock is a Sell with a $76.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Starbucks stock, see the SBUX Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Aug 16, 2025