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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)

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Neutral 54 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:54Neutral
Price Target:
$83.00
▼(-1.89% Downside)
Starbucks' overall score reflects strong revenue growth and positive earnings call sentiment, but is weighed down by financial risks from high leverage and declining profitability margins. Technical indicators suggest bearish momentum, and the high P/E ratio raises valuation concerns.
Positive Factors
Joint Venture in China
The joint venture with Boyu Capital in China represents a strategic move to accelerate growth in a key market, leveraging local expertise to expand Starbucks' footprint and enhance its brand presence.
Revenue Growth
Consistent revenue growth indicates strong market demand and effective business strategies, supporting long-term financial health and expansion capabilities.
Green Apron Service
The Green Apron Service enhances customer satisfaction and employee retention, strengthening Starbucks' operational efficiency and brand loyalty.
Negative Factors
High Leverage
High leverage poses financial risks, potentially limiting Starbucks' ability to invest in growth opportunities and manage economic downturns effectively.
Declining Profitability Margins
Declining margins suggest cost pressures and reduced pricing power, which could impact Starbucks' ability to maintain profitability and fund strategic initiatives.
Net Store Closures
Net store closures may indicate challenges in certain markets, potentially affecting Starbucks' market share and revenue growth in the long term.

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:Oct 29, 2025
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Feb 03, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
Starbucks showed signs of recovery with positive revenue growth and improved sales comps, particularly in the U.S. and international segments. However, the decline in operating margins and net store closures indicate challenges that the company continues to face.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Positive Global Revenue Growth
Starbucks reported a 5% global revenue growth and a 1% global comparable store sales growth, marking the first positive quarter in 7 quarters.
U.S. Company-Operated Sales Comp Turnaround
The U.S. company-operated sales comps turned positive in September and remained positive through October, driven by improved transaction comps.
International Segment Performance
The international segment delivered a 3% comp sales growth in the fourth quarter, with strong performances in Japan, China, the U.K., and Mexico.
Growth in Delivery Business
Starbucks' delivery business in the U.S. expanded by nearly 30% year-over-year in the fourth quarter, surpassing $1 billion in sales for the fiscal year.
Introduction of Green Apron Service
The Green Apron Service led to record low hourly partner turnover and improved customer experience scores, with 80% of U.S. company-operated coffee houses achieving cafe service times averaging 4 minutes or less.
Expansion of International Footprint
Starbucks opened 316 net new coffee houses in the fourth quarter, with total international revenues reaching a record $2.1 billion.
Negative Updates
Consolidated Operating Margin Decline
The consolidated operating margin fell to 9.4%, a contraction of 500 basis points from the prior year, primarily due to inflation and investments in support of the Back to Starbucks initiatives.
U.S. Licensed Store Revenue Decline
U.S. licensed store portfolio revenue declined in the fourth quarter, primarily due to trends in the grocery and retail channels.
Net Store Closures
Starbucks closed 107 net stores globally in the fourth quarter as part of a restructuring plan, resulting in a 1% decline in North American company-operated store counts.
Continued Pressure from Commodity Prices
Coffee prices remained elevated, contributing to financial headwinds and impacting Starbucks' margins.
Company Guidance
During Starbucks' Fourth Quarter Fiscal Year 2025 Conference Call, the company provided several key metrics reflecting its business performance and strategic initiatives. Starbucks reported a 5% increase in global revenue and a 1% rise in global comparable store sales, marking the first positive quarter in seven quarters. North American company-operated comps improved to flat year-over-year, with positive growth in Canada contributing to the results. The U.S. company-operated sales comp turned positive in September, driven by transactions, and remained positive through October. The international segment demonstrated resilience with a 3% comp sales growth, led by strong performances in markets like Japan, China, the U.K., and Mexico. Earnings per share for the fourth quarter were $0.52, reflecting ongoing investments in the business. Starbucks also highlighted the success of its Green Apron Service initiative, which led to improved customer experience scores, record low partner turnover, and tripled the percentage of coffee houses with positive transaction comps compared to the previous year. Additionally, the company's delivery business grew nearly 30% year-over-year, surpassing $1 billion in sales for the full fiscal year. Looking ahead, Starbucks plans to focus on menu innovation, enhance customer service, and continue expanding its international presence.

Starbucks Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Starbucks shows strong revenue growth but faces declining profitability margins, indicating cost pressures. The balance sheet reveals high leverage with negative equity, posing financial risks. Cash flow generation has improved, but operational cash flow efficiency has decreased.
Income Statement
65
Positive
Starbucks has shown a strong revenue growth rate of 34.65% in the latest year, indicating a robust recovery and expansion. However, the gross profit margin has decreased from previous years, and the net profit margin has also declined, suggesting increased costs or pricing pressures. The EBIT and EBITDA margins have similarly decreased, reflecting challenges in maintaining operational efficiency.
Balance Sheet
40
Negative
The balance sheet reveals a negative stockholders' equity, leading to a high and negative debt-to-equity ratio, which poses a significant financial risk. Return on equity is negative, indicating losses relative to equity. The equity ratio is also negative, highlighting a leveraged position that could be concerning if not managed carefully.
Cash Flow
55
Neutral
Operating cash flow has decreased, and the free cash flow growth rate is positive at 61.06%, showing improvement in cash generation. However, the operating cash flow to net income ratio has decreased, indicating less cash flow relative to net income. The free cash flow to net income ratio remains moderate, suggesting some stability in cash flow management.
BreakdownTTMDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue37.18B37.18B36.18B35.98B32.25B29.06B
Gross Profit8.52B8.98B9.71B9.85B8.37B8.39B
EBITDA4.80B4.73B7.12B7.40B6.24B7.35B
Net Income1.86B1.86B3.76B4.12B3.28B4.20B
Balance Sheet
Total Assets32.02B32.02B31.34B29.45B27.98B31.39B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments3.47B3.47B3.54B3.95B3.18B6.62B
Total Debt26.61B26.61B25.80B24.60B23.80B23.61B
Total Liabilities40.11B40.11B38.78B37.43B36.68B36.71B
Stockholders Equity-8.10B-8.10B-7.45B-7.99B-8.71B-5.32B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow2.44B2.44B3.32B3.68B2.56B4.52B
Operating Cash Flow4.75B4.75B6.10B6.01B4.40B5.99B
Investing Cash Flow-2.49B-2.49B-2.70B-2.27B-2.15B-319.50M
Financing Cash Flow-2.30B-2.30B-3.72B-2.99B-5.64B-3.65B

Starbucks Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price84.60
Price Trends
50DMA
83.85
Positive
100DMA
87.66
Negative
200DMA
90.79
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.21
Negative
RSI
52.61
Neutral
STOCH
68.22
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For SBUX, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 84.6 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 83.89, above the 50-day MA of 83.85, and below the 200-day MA of 90.79, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of -0.21 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 52.61 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 68.22 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive 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
74
Outperform
$10.97B25.2131.55%1.61%14.40%12.45%
74
Outperform
$16.07B18.0715.44%1.96%3.29%6.72%
65
Neutral
$213.40B25.562.28%1.26%2.87%
64
Neutral
$8.79B107.3510.53%28.93%69.59%
61
Neutral
$18.38B12.79-2.54%3.03%1.52%-15.83%
60
Neutral
$41.39B29.041.88%11.60%-4.33%
54
Neutral
$97.27B52.542.88%2.81%
* Consumer Cyclical Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
SBUX
Starbucks
84.60
-13.22
-13.51%
MCD
McDonald's
299.10
4.45
1.51%
TXRH
Texas Roadhouse
161.74
-29.92
-15.61%
YUM
Yum! Brands
148.26
14.25
10.63%
YUMC
Yum China Holdings
44.79
-3.51
-7.27%
BROS
Dutch Bros Inc
56.68
8.24
17.01%

Starbucks Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyM&A Transactions
Starbucks Forms Joint Venture with Boyu Capital in China
Positive
Nov 3, 2025

On November 3, 2025, Starbucks announced a joint venture with Boyu Capital, where Boyu will acquire up to a 60% interest in Starbucks’ retail operations in China. This strategic partnership aims to accelerate Starbucks’ growth in China, leveraging Boyu’s local expertise to expand into new cities and regions, while Starbucks retains a 40% interest and continues to own and license its brand. The venture is expected to enhance Starbucks’ market presence and customer experience in China, with plans to increase the number of stores from 8,000 to 20,000, reflecting a significant milestone in Starbucks’ 26-year journey in the region.

The most recent analyst rating on (SBUX) stock is a Buy with a $105.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Starbucks stock, see the SBUX Stock Forecast page.

Starbucks Earnings Call: Signs of Recovery Amid Challenges
Oct 31, 2025

Starbucks’ recent earnings call revealed a mixed sentiment, showcasing signs of recovery with positive revenue growth and improved sales comps, especially in the U.S. and international segments. However, the company faces challenges with declining operating margins and net store closures, indicating ongoing hurdles.

Starbucks Reports Q4 2025 Earnings with Sales Growth
Oct 30, 2025

Starbucks Corporation, a leading global roaster and retailer of specialty coffee, has reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and full fiscal year 2025, showcasing a return to global comparable store sales growth for the first time in seven quarters.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Starbucks Announces Major Restructuring Plan
Negative
Sep 25, 2025

On September 23, 2025, Starbucks announced a restructuring plan under its ‘Back to Starbucks’ strategy, which involves closing certain coffeehouses and transforming its support organization. This initiative aims to revitalize the brand by enhancing the customer experience and ensuring financial performance. The company plans to close stores that do not meet brand and financial criteria, impacting its North American operations significantly. Starbucks estimates restructuring costs of approximately $1 billion, with a majority of expenses related to North America, including employee separation benefits and lease costs. The company expects to complete most closures by the end of the fiscal year, with a slight decline in its North American store count. The restructuring is intended to build a stronger, more resilient Starbucks, with plans to uplift over 1,000 locations and reduce non-retail partner roles to focus on customer service and growth.

The most recent analyst rating on (SBUX) stock is a Buy with a $110.00 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: Nov 04, 2025