Starbucks (SBUX)
NASDAQConsumer DiscretionaryRestaurantsSnapshot 2026-09-04
$104.47-1.28%
Close 2026-09-04 · 1-day change
NASDAQConsumer DiscretionaryRestaurantsSnapshot 2026-09-04
QuarterlyIQ Insights · SBUX
How strong the business is — where it ranks within its sector on capital efficiency and cash generation, and how well management has been executing.
How this business ranks within consumer discretionary on a research-validated quality screen. As of 2026-09-04.
The screen ranks SBUX against its sector on four durable signals: share dilution, return on capital, free-cash-flow yield, and FCF margin. Historically the highest-quality names tended toward better typical outcomes and fewer bad years over multi-year holds (strongest at three years, modest at one), and that pattern showed up even before the price moved. It characterizes business quality, not price direction.
Each leg is a sector-relative percentile (higher is better); 4 of 4 legs were available for this name. The composite is built from these four; the raw value follows each percentile for context.
A forward quality tilt, not a price prediction, and context for your own research rather than a recommendation. Not investment advice.
How management runs the business: capital, margins, balance sheet, and how reliably they guide and deliver.
Each factor is a parallel diagnostic with a clear read of what it shows and how names like it have historically fared. Never aggregated into a single score.
Operating income rose in 2 of the last 3 quarter-over-quarter moves. Historically, Consumer Discretionary names rated strong grew net income 63% of the time over the next year (vs 50% for the rest of the cohort, n=5213).
Not investment advice. Scores describe historical and current data; they are not forecasts of future returns. Consult a licensed advisor before making investment decisions.
Met or beat guidance 67% of the last 3 guided quarters · -10.8% avg surprise
Priorities management has stated in recent disclosures, with status and evidence drawn from earnings calls, filings, and press releases.
Continue implementing the 'Back to Starbucks' plan focused on revitalizing coffeehouses, enhancing customer experience, and driving long-term growth.
Stated as a priority in 6 of last 6 quarters. Global comparable store sales improved from -2% in 2025-Q3 to 7.9% in 2026-Q2, with North America comps rising from -2% to 8.1%. Consolidated net revenues grew from $9.5B in 2025-Q2 to $9.9B in 2026-Q1 before a slight decline to $9.3B in 2026-Q2. Management consistently emphasizes the 'Back to Starbucks' plan and the trajectory shows delivering growth and improving customer experience.
“CEO: 'Our Back to Starbucks plan was built on the belief that an extraordinary cup of coffee, human connection and customer experience win the day, every day.'”
“CEO: 'Our Q1 results demonstrate our Back to Starbucks strategy is working and we believe we're ahead of schedule.'”
“CEO: 'We've fixed a lot and done the hard work on the hard things to build a strong operating foundation, and based on my experience of turnarounds, we are ahead of schedule.'”
“CEO: 'In 2026, we'll unleash a wave of innovation that fuels growth, elevates customer service, and ensures everyone experiences the very best of Starbucks.'”
“CEO: 'My optimism has turned into confidence that our Back to Starbucks plan is the right strategy to turn the business around and to unlock opportunities ahead.'”
“CEO: 'While we're only one quarter into our turnaround, we're moving quickly to act on the Back to Starbucks efforts and we've seen a positive response.'”
Complete the joint venture with Boyu Capital for Starbucks retail operations in China and use it to drive disciplined growth in the market.
Stated as a priority in 4 of last 4 quarters. The joint venture with Boyu Capital was announced in 2025-Q3 and finalized in 2026-Q2, converting China retail operations to a licensed joint venture. This led to a 34% decline in International segment net revenues in 2026-Q2 due to the change in reporting. Management has delivered on the regulatory milestone and is leveraging the joint venture for disciplined growth.
Pursue restructuring activities and cost discipline, including workforce reductions and support organization transformation, to improve margins and enable growth.
Stated as a priority in 5 of last 5 quarters. Management has pursued restructuring and cost discipline, including workforce reductions and support organization transformation. Operating income in North America declined from $1.18B in 2025-Q1 to $680M in 2026-Q2, reflecting labor and restructuring investments. The company expects to incur approximately $1 billion related to restructuring activities in 2025. The trajectory shows ongoing restructuring with limited margin improvement so far.
Drive innovation in products, customer service, and loyalty programs to elevate growth and customer engagement.
Stated as a priority in 3 of last 6 quarters. Management emphasizes innovation to fuel growth and improve customer service, including launching a reimagined loyalty program in 2026-Q1. While innovation initiatives are underway, financial metrics show growth but no direct quantification of innovation impact yet. The priority is recurring with early delivery signs.
“Company launched reimagined loyalty program with three levels of membership to deliver more meaningful value.”
Continue paying quarterly dividends with a long history of consecutive payouts and growth.
Stated as a priority in 6 of last 6 quarters. The Board consistently declared quarterly dividends, increasing from $0.61 per share in 2025-Q1 to $0.62 in 2026-Q2, marking 65 consecutive quarters of payouts with a CAGR of 17%. Management is delivering consistent capital return to shareholders through dividends.
Over the trailing year it converted 2.58x of net income into operating cash flow. Historically, Consumer Discretionary names rated robust grew net income 58% of the time over the next year (vs 45% for the rest of the cohort, n=3652).
Most sensitive to the broad stock market.
Not enough signal to read sensitivity to the US dollar, Fed net liquidity, long-term interest rates, real (inflation-adjusted) rates (low R² over the window).
18 material management or governance events in the past 24 months, led by executive changes. Historically, Consumer Discretionary names rated neutral grew net income 48% of the time over the next year (vs 53% for the rest of the cohort, n=2538).
Not investment advice. As of 2026-09-04.
“Company completed the transaction with Boyu Capital to operate Starbucks retail business in China.”
“Company expects the transaction with Boyu Capital to close in the Spring, subject to regulatory approvals.”
“Company entered an agreement to form a joint venture with Boyu Capital to operate Starbucks retail in China.”
“Company announced agreement to form joint venture with Boyu Capital for Starbucks retail in China.”
“Includes higher restructuring costs and labor investments largely in support of Back to Starbucks.”
“Includes restructuring costs related to closure of coffeehouses and support organization transformation.”
“Company pursuing $2 billion in cost savings through restructuring activities and support organization transformation.”
“Company announced reduction of 1,100 support partner roles and other open positions as part of Back to Starbucks.”
“Company announced restructuring costs related to simplifying global support organization.”
“CEO: 'In 2026, we'll unleash a wave of innovation that fuels growth, elevates customer service, and ensures everyone experiences the very best of Starbucks.'”
“CEO: 'We are developing new muscles to test, iterate and scale quickly, in service of long-term, durable growth.'”
“Board declared a cash dividend of $0.62 per share, payable August 28, 2026, 65 consecutive quarters of dividend payouts.”
“Board declared a cash dividend of $0.62 per share, payable May 29, 2026, 64 consecutive quarters of dividend payouts.”
“Board declared a cash dividend of $0.62 per share, payable February 27, 2026, 63 consecutive quarters of dividend payouts.”
“Board declared a cash dividend of $0.61 per share, payable August 29, 2025, 61 consecutive quarters of dividend payouts.”
“Board declared a cash dividend of $0.61 per share, payable May 30, 2025, 60 consecutive quarters of dividend payouts.”
“Board declared a cash dividend of $0.61 per share, payable February 28, 2025, 59 consecutive quarters of dividend payouts.”