Starbucks Corporation (SBUX)

Starbucks has been navigating its "Back to Starbucks" turnaround strategy, with mixed financial results and operational adjustments impacting its stock price. In Q3 2025, Starbucks reported mixed results with EPS missing estimates but net revenues beating expectations, leading to a stock surge. In Q4 2025, Starbucks reported its first global comparable store sales growth in seven quarters, but GAAP and non-GAAP EPS missed estimates, and the company closed 627 stores globally as part of a restructuring. As of January 12, 2026, the stock price was $89.96, up 6% over the past 30 days but down 3.65% over the past 12 months, with analysts expecting a decrease in Q1 2026 profit per share.

Starbucks experiences demand seasonality for certain products and merchandise, with peaks in December for items like mugs and tumblers due to holiday gift-giving. Seasonal beverage launches, such as the Pumpkin Spice Latte and holiday beverages, significantly boost sales. Core coffee bean products maintain relatively stable demand throughout the year. Starbucks leverages nostalgia and demand-driven innovation to maintain customer engagement.

Starbucks Corporation is a multinational coffeehouse chain headquartered in Seattle, Washington, operating as a retailer, roaster, and provider of specialty coffee. It operates in the Retail-Wholesale sector, specifically within the Coffee & Snack Shops industry, holding an estimated 30.9% of the total industry revenue in the US. The company's major products include handcrafted coffee, tea, beverages, baked goods, sandwiches, and other food items. Starbucks also sells roasted coffee beans, packaged coffee, and coffee-related merchandise and licenses its trademarks through various channels, including licensed stores, grocery, and foodservice.

Starbucks has a global presence with nearly 41,000 cafes in over 80 countries as of late 2025. Approximately 52% of these stores are company-operated, with the remainder run by licensees. The company's operations are segmented across North America (74% of revenue as of the end of fiscal 2025), International (21%), and Channel Development (5%). The United States and China are its two primary regions of operation, comprising 61% of the company's global portfolio with 17,230 and 7,828 stores respectively, at the end of Q3 fiscal year 2025.

Starbucks' brand reputation has declined in the past year, with its Reptrak score dropping and its ranking in Brand Finance's Global 500 falling significantly. Boycott campaigns related to the conflict in Gaza, customer dissatisfaction, operational issues, leadership instability, and labor unrest have contributed to this decline. The current CEO, Brian Niccol, has introduced a "Back to Starbucks" turnaround strategy to address these issues.

Starbucks Corporation is a publicly owned company with institutional investors holding over 86% of its outstanding shares in late 2025. The largest institutional shareholders include The Vanguard Group, Capital Research Global Investors, BlackRock, Inc., Capital World Investors and State Street Corp. Top individual shareholders include Brian Niccol, Brady Brewer, and Cathy Smith. Mellody L. Hobson owns 728,620 shares, representing 0.06% of the company, and company insiders collectively own 0.09% of the company's stock.