Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) Sets New 1-Year High – Here’s Why

Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) shares hit a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $107.55 and last traded at $107.3990, with a volume of 4750942 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $104.94.

Starbucks News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Starbucks this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q2 takeaways show improving traffic and execution that support the “turnaround” thesis—investors treated the results as confirmation the recovery is working. Is the Starbucks Turnaround Working? Key Takeaways From Q2 Results
• Positive Sentiment: Market reaction highlighted a strong after‑hours move after mixed Q2 results but a higher FY‑26 EPS guide (2.25–2.45), signaling management confidence that helped lift the stock. Why Starbucks (SBUX) Is Up 8.2% After Mixed Q2 Results And Higher Earnings Guidance
• Positive Sentiment: Same‑store sales jumped ~6.2%, ending a multi‑quarter decline and reinforcing that in‑store demand is recovering under Niccol’s strategy. Brian Niccol Earned the ‘Retail Messi’ Nickname: Starbucks Same-Store Sales Jump 6.2% After 7 Quarters of Decline
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts and commentary note clear improvements but advise caution: the beat/guidance is constructive, yet questions remain about sustainability and whether current momentum justifies today’s valuation. Starbucks Stages a Major Comeback. But Does That Mean You Should Buy It Now? Not So Fast.
• Neutral Sentiment: SBUX is drawing high investor attention and searches—useful signal for liquidity/interest but not a directional fundamental indicator by itself. Investors Heavily Search Starbucks Corporation (SBUX): Here is What You Need to Know
• Negative Sentiment: Front‑line employees say a new $1,200 bonus plan has unrealistic thresholds amid staffing shortages—risking morale, execution and service if staffing pressures persist. Starbucks baristas tell us why the new $1,200 bonus is impossible to get
• Negative Sentiment: Customer “cup note” complaints and commentary describe service/experience issues—signals that operational execution and brand perception still need work despite sales improvements. “They Read Like a Cry for Help”, Starbucks Stock (NASDAQ:SBUX) Notches Up Despite Cup Note Concerns

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have weighed in on SBUX shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on Starbucks from $95.00 to $100.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, April 24th. Barclays set a $116.00 price target on Starbucks and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Mizuho boosted their price target on Starbucks from $86.00 to $95.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Monday, January 26th. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Starbucks from an “underperform” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 28th. Finally, Piper Sandler reiterated an “overweight” rating and set a $110.00 price target on shares of Starbucks in a research note on Wednesday, April 29th. Sixteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Starbucks has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $107.00.

Starbucks Stock Up 1.4%

The stock has a market cap of $121.27 billion, a PE ratio of 80.64, a P/E/G ratio of 2.13 and a beta of 1.01. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $96.68 and a 200 day moving average price of $91.25.

Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, April 28th. The coffee company reported $0.50 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.44 by $0.06. Starbucks had a negative return on equity of 29.24% and a net margin of 3.89%.The firm had revenue of $9.53 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.17 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.41 earnings per share. The company’s revenue was up 8.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Starbucks has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.250-2.450 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that Starbucks Corporation will post 2.4 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Starbucks Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 29th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 15th will be paid a $0.62 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 15th. This represents a $2.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.3%. Starbucks’s dividend payout ratio is presently 187.88%.

Insider Transactions at Starbucks

In other Starbucks news, CEO Brady Brewer sold 588 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $100.00, for a total transaction of $58,800.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 83,788 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,378,800. This represents a 0.70% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, EVP Sara Kelly sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, April 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $105.00, for a total value of $210,000.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 57,653 shares in the company, valued at $6,053,565. This represents a 3.35% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders sold 8,958 shares of company stock worth $877,464 in the last 90 days. Company insiders own 0.03% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Starbucks

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Collier Financial purchased a new position in Starbucks during the third quarter worth approximately $25,000. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC purchased a new position in Starbucks during the fourth quarter worth approximately $25,000. Phillip James Consulting Co. purchased a new position in Starbucks during the fourth quarter worth approximately $25,000. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC purchased a new position in Starbucks during the fourth quarter worth approximately $25,000. Finally, Y.D. More Investments Ltd purchased a new position in Starbucks during the third quarter worth approximately $26,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 72.29% of the company’s stock.

Starbucks Company Profile

Starbucks Corporation is a global coffeehouse chain and roaster that operates, licenses and franchises coffee shops and related retail businesses. Founded in Seattle, Washington in 1971 by Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl and Gordon Bowker, the company grew from a single store focused on whole-bean coffee and equipment into a broad consumer-facing brand. Howard Schultz, who joined the company later and served in senior leadership roles, is widely credited with transforming Starbucks into a mass-market specialty coffee retailer and expanding its footprint internationally.

Starbucks’ core activities center on the retail sale of hot and cold specialty beverages, whole-bean and packaged coffees, teas and ready-to-drink products, along with complementary food items and merchandise such as mugs and brewing equipment.