Starbucks Corp. (NASDAQ:SBUX) witnessed its most significant surge in share prices since May 2022, driven by its impressive sales performance and a revised annual growth target that defied Wall Street’s expectations.
During the quarter ending on October 1, the coffee giant reported an 8% increase in same-store sales, surpassing the average analyst estimate of 6.3%. This growth was attributed to a higher number of transactions and larger orders, particularly in the US and China. These results align with the positive outcomes seen in the earnings of several other food-and-drink companies this season, which have continued to thrive amid challenges like high interest rates and ongoing inflation, as consumers shift their spending habits towards more affordable indulgences.
Starbucks, however, adjusted its global and US same-store sales outlook for the next year, now anticipating a rise of 5% to 7%. This shift represented a more conservative stance compared to the previously aggressive outlook. Investors, concerned about the financial health of US consumers and China’s slower economic recovery, found this adjustment to be a welcome change. Analysts polled by Bloomberg, as of Wednesday, had expected the company to fall short of its initial target.
Starbucks’ Chief Financial Officer, Rachel Ruggeri, explained during a call with analysts that this update offers a “more balanced approach” to driving earnings growth. The company still aims for annual revenue growth of 10% to 12%, albeit now at the lower end of the range, and expects earnings per share to climb by 15% to 20%. Starbucks plans to rely on new store growth and various efficiency initiatives to achieve these goals.
Starbucks’ CEO, Laxman Narasimhan, expressed confidence in the momentum of their business globally, highlighting the potential for further expansion. As a result of these positive developments, Starbucks’ shares surged by as much as 11% in New York trading. This impressive rally followed a 7.9% decline earlier in the year, which had lagged behind the 10% advance of the S&P 500 Index.
Sharon Zackfia, an analyst at William Blair & Co., noted, “What’s really reassuring to investors is that even with a slightly more modest comp gain — 5% to 7% on an absolute base, those are still really good numbers — they can still yield that 15% to 20%. That’s what the Street was looking for, for reassurance. The gravy on top of all of this is China just looking really solid in the quarter and in the outlook.”
Starbucks reported quarterly revenue of $9.4 billion, surpassing expectations, and earnings of $1.06 per share, which also exceeded estimates. The company’s strategies to attract customers, including an early rollout of its fall lineup and the introduction of new products such as frozen refreshers, have proven successful. Additionally, customers have been ordering more food, contributing to larger transaction sizes.
Furthermore, Starbucks has been actively working to improve its speed of service, resulting in increased revenue, improved efficiency, and enhanced profit margins. CEO Laxman Narasimhan is expected to provide an update on these strategies during an investor event at 4 p.m. New York, marking his first investor day without Starbucks’ founder, Howard Schultz, by his side.
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