Starbucks Corp (SBUX) Stock Snapshot and Analysis

Current Stock Snapshot and Core Metrics

The stock’s beta, a measure of its relative volatility, is reported as 0.98 on a five-year monthly basis, suggesting somewhat lower sensitivity to broad market swings than the market as a whole. Some sources show a higher short‑window beta (around 1.03), reflecting calculation differences across timeframes; readers should interpret beta as a period-dependent estimate. The trailing price‑to‑earnings ratio sits around 60.99, while the forward or next-twelve-month P/E is reported in the mid-30s by various data feeds, with 32.97 being one commonly cited figure and 35.65 appearing in other viewpoints depending on the exact inputs used for earnings estimates.

From a broader set of multiples, Starbucks shows a Price/Sales ratio near 3.08 and an EV/Revenue around 3.56, with an EV/EBITDA in the mid-20s range. The leverage and profitability picture displays a levered free cash flow (LFCF) of about 3.07 billion, signaling substantial liquidity despite a high earnings multiple. Debt is reported as negative on a debt-to-equity basis (MRQ) at approximately -173.03%, indicating net cash rather than net debt in the most recent balance sheet readings. Revenue for the trailing twelve months is about 38.34 billion, with net income around 1.98 billion and trailing earnings per share (EPS) of 1.73.

Dividend Profile

Starbucks pays a forward annual dividend of 2.52 per share, corresponding to a dividend yield of about 2.39%. The ex-dividend date for the upcoming payment is November 13, 2026, and the quarterly dividend amount is 0.63 per share. This implies four quarterly payments of 0.63 each year, totaling 2.52 in forward annual dividends.

Q4 2026 Earnings: Actuals and Implications for Guidance

A key update to incorporate is Starbucks’ fiscal fourth-quarter results released on October 29, 2026. The company reported a quarterly profit of about $677.2 million on revenue of roughly $9.1 billion. U.S. comparable coffeehouse sales rose 7.7%, driven more by larger average check sizes than by higher foot traffic. This pattern indicates that revenue quality hinges on pricing and mix, rather than a simple lift in traffic. For forward guidance, these dynamics suggest management’s margin and revenue trajectory will increasingly depend on check size and mix, rather than volume alone.

Performance Over Time

Looking at longer horizons, the stock has delivered 1-year returns of about 28.55% versus 12.04% for the S&P 500, and a 3-year return of roughly 23.64% against 87.51% for the benchmark. On a year-to-date basis, SBUX has posted about a 27.57% return versus the S&P’s 12.78%. The 5-year figure shows 11.99% for Starbucks against 67.64% for the S&P 500, underscoring considerable underperformance over the longer horizon even as more recent periods show strength.

Business Segments

Starbucks operates through three primary segments: North America, International, and Channel Development. Understanding this structure helps identify where growth is coming from and which regions or channels carry more risk. The segment mix matters for evaluating the durability of earnings and for interpreting same-store sales trends in a global context.

Analyst Sentiment

Market consensus among analysts is reflected in an aggregate rating derived from a pool of ratings; approximately 53% of 38 ratings are favorable. When a numerical consensus is available from credible sources, it provides a concise snapshot of overall analyst sentiment, though methodologies may vary by provider.

Risks and Considerations

Specific risk factors drawn from recent earnings and market conditions include a reliance on pricing strategies to drive sales growth, potential traffic declines in fiscal 2027, and inflation in labor and commodity costs. Competitive pressure from other coffee chains also poses a risk to same-store sales and margin expansion. The Q4 results highlight that revenue growth is increasingly driven by higher check sizes, which has implications for revenue quality and investor confidence if traffic remains uneven.

Key Dates and Historical Extremes

The stock’s 52-week high occurred on August 13, 2026, at 110.51, while the 52-week low occurred on November 4, 2025, at 77.99. These dates help contextualize price movements within recent market environments and company-specific events. The current price sits near the upper end of this range, reflecting a recovery from the prior low while trading below the peak reached earlier in the year.

Notes on Data Consistency and Interpretation

Some figures show discrepancies across sources, particularly for beta and forward valuations. For beta, 0.98 is reported on a five-year monthly basis, while other sources show about 1.03 in shorter windows. Forward P/E figures vary by the exact earnings estimates used (NTM versus next-twelve-months), with figures around 32.97 to 35.65 commonly cited. When building a decision-relevant view, treat beta as range-bound and consider using the longer-window estimate for longer-horizon risk assessment. Similarly, consider forward earnings inputs carefully when evaluating the price multiple.

What This Means for Investors

Starbucks remains a premium-growth stock in the consumer discretionary space, with earnings growth increasingly tied to check-size-driven revenue rather than volume alone. The forward multiple sits in the mid-30s, implying a strong expectation for continued pricing power and expanding margins, but the long-term performance trail—especially versus the S&P 500 over five years—suggests you should weigh longer horizons carefully. The Q4 2026 results reinforce the importance of monitoring margin dynamics, capital allocation, and the durability of traffic and transaction size as levers for future profitability. For income-focused investors, the quarterly dividend, backed by a forward annual payout of 2.52 and a yield around 2.39%, adds a steady cash flow element to the overall investment thesis.