Story perspectives

Starbucks Forecasts 5% US Sales Rise, Beats Earnings

4/29/2026

Summary

Starbucks Forecasts Growth

Starbucks Corp. expects U.S. comparable sales to rise at least 5% this year after reporting second-quarter results.
Comparable sales grew 6.2% and adjusted earnings hit 50 cents per share, beating analysts’ forecasts.
Shares rose 4.7% in extended trading, leaving the stock up 16% YTD, ahead of the S&P 500’s 4% gain.
Starbucks plans to add 150-175 net U.S. stores and opened a Nashville office, while China comparable sales rose 0.5% below expectations.

Summary

Starbucks Revamps Operations

Starbucks launches “Back to Starbucks” initiative that raises worker compensation to improve retention and floor consistency.
The company simplifies its menu and shortens wait times as part of an in-store execution overhaul.
Starbucks deploys technology to better sequence in-store and mobile orders, accelerating service speed.
Store redesigns give locations a cozier coffeehouse feel for patrons.
Placer.ai data show overall Starbucks visits rose 5.5% in the quarter.

Summary

Starbucks Target Boost

Stifel analyst Chris O’Cull lifted Starbucks’ price target from $105 to $115 and kept a Buy rating.
February’s limited-time Matcha drink tied to Valentine’s Day merchandise raised transaction volume, while early-April Energy Refreshers and mango items sparked a sales spike.
Wall Street consensus of 14 Buy, 12 Hold and 2 Sell yields a mean target of $103.58, implying about 6% upside.

Summary

Starbucks Raises Outlook

CEO Brian Niccol announced via video with Q2 results that the comparable-sales outlook rose from a 3% increase to at least 5%.
A crowd gathered outside a London Starbucks on April 8, 2026, while traffic rose 1% but average spend fell 1.6%, showing softer consumer spending.
Net income rose to $510.9 million, or 45 cents per share, up from $384.2 million, or 34 cents per share, a year earlier.

History

Historical Context

Starbucks went public on June 26 1992, raising $271 million and using the capital to double its store count, a move driven by CEO Howard Schultz’s vision of espresso cafés after his 1983 Italy trip. The public-market foundation enabled the chain’s aggressive expansion, which underpins its 2026 Q2 net income of $510.9 million and current growth plans.

1 of 5

Starbucks Forecasts Growth

Starbucks Corp. expects U.S. comparable sales to rise at least 5% this year after reporting second-quarter results.
Comparable sales grew 6.2% and adjusted earnings hit 50 cents per share, beating analysts’ forecasts.
Shares rose 4.7% in extended trading, leaving the stock up 16% YTD, ahead of the S&P 500’s 4% gain.
Starbucks plans to add 150-175 net U.S. stores and opened a Nashville office, while China comparable sales rose 0.5% below expectations.

1 / 5