Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) Coverage Initiated by Analysts at Tigress Financial

Tigress Financial began coverage on shares of Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) in a report issued on Wednesday morning, Marketbeat.com reports. The firm issued a buy rating and a $122.00 price objective on the coffee company’s stock.

A number of other research analysts also recently issued reports on the company. Zacks Research upgraded Starbucks from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 27th. Wolfe Research began coverage on Starbucks in a research note on Monday, March 9th. They set a “peer perform” rating for the company. Royal Bank Of Canada downgraded Starbucks from an “outperform” rating to a “sector perform” rating and set a $105.00 price objective for the company. in a research note on Tuesday, March 17th. TD Cowen reiterated a “hold” rating and set a $89.00 price objective (up from $84.00) on shares of Starbucks in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Finally, Guggenheim reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a $95.00 price objective (up from $90.00) on shares of Starbucks in a research note on Wednesday, March 4th. Sixteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $104.57.

Starbucks Stock Down 0.1%

Starbucks stock opened at $98.34 on Wednesday. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $95.80 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $89.70. The company has a market cap of $112.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 81.27, a P/E/G ratio of 2.19 and a beta of 0.95. Starbucks has a 52-week low of $75.50 and a 52-week high of $104.82.

Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 28th. The coffee company reported $0.56 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.59 by ($0.03). The company had revenue of $9.92 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.62 billion. Starbucks had a net margin of 3.63% and a negative return on equity of 28.66%. The company’s revenue was up 5.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.69 earnings per share. Starbucks has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.150-2.400 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Starbucks will post 2.99 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Starbucks Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 29th. Investors of record on Friday, May 15th will be issued a $0.62 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 15th. This represents a $2.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.5%. Starbucks’s payout ratio is currently 204.96%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Sara Kelly sold 2,500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $97.12, for a total value of $242,800.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 59,609 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,789,226.08. The trade was a 4.03% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO Brady Brewer sold 1,641 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $97.12, for a total value of $159,373.92. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 86,605 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,411,077.60. This represents a 1.86% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last three months, insiders sold 6,370 shares of company stock worth $608,664. 0.03% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Starbucks

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of SBUX. Collier Financial purchased a new stake in shares of Starbucks during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Starbucks during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Starbucks during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Phillip James Consulting Co. purchased a new stake in shares of Starbucks during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Finally, Y.D. More Investments Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Starbucks during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $26,000. 72.29% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Trending Headlines about Starbucks

Here are the key news stories impacting Starbucks this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Starbucks launched a beta app inside ChatGPT to give personalized drink recommendations (users can tag @Starbucks, describe moods or upload photos to get drink suggestions). This is a strategic push into AI-driven personalization that could increase digital engagement, improve order frequency and deepen loyalty among younger/tech-savvy customers. Starbucks launches beta app in ChatGPT to fuel new drink discovery
• Positive Sentiment: Tigress Financial initiated coverage with a Buy rating and $122 price target (about 24% upside from current levels), providing a notable bullish analyst voice that can support investor sentiment and buying interest. Benzinga
• Positive Sentiment: Starbucks’ Board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.62 per share payable May 29 (record May 15). The dividend reinforces cash return to shareholders and can make the stock more attractive to income investors. Starbucks Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend
• Positive Sentiment: Morgan Stanley reiterated a Buy on SBUX, maintaining a supportive institutional view that may help sustain demand from funds that follow that house view. Morgan Stanley Remains a Buy on Starbucks (SBUX)
• Neutral Sentiment: Starbucks scheduled its Q2 FY2026 results release and conference call for April 28 — an upcoming event that will drive volatility and set expectations heading into summer. Starbucks Announces Q2 Fiscal Year 2026 Results Conference Call
• Neutral Sentiment: Jefferies upgraded Starbucks to Hold after the China JV closed and signs of U.S. recovery—an upgrade but less bullish than a buy, so its impact is mixed. Jefferies upgrades Starbucks (SBUX)
• Negative Sentiment: Some coverage highlights potential consumer pushback to AI conveniences — a Fortune piece cautions that AI shopping recommendations may trigger privacy or backlash concerns and that human behavior can be unpredictable, which could limit near-term adoption or invite scrutiny. Starbucks wants you to ask ChatGPT about what coffee to get, right as America boils over with AI backlash vibes

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.