Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. Invests $294.20 Million in Starbucks Corporation $SBUX

Key Points

• Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management acquired 2.88 million Starbucks shares worth approximately $294.2 million, giving it a 0.25% stake. Institutional investors collectively own 72.29% of the company.
• Starbucks exceeded quarterly expectations with adjusted EPS of $0.85 versus the $0.66 consensus and revenue of $9.32 billion, though revenue declined 1.4% year over year. Analysts’ average rating is “Hold,” with an average price target of $110.30.
• The turnaround faces mixed signals: corporate restructuring and cost cuts could improve profitability, but weakness in China and a high valuation—reflected in a P/E ratio above 60—create risks if earnings growth disappoints.

Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. acquired a new stake in Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX - Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 2,878,911 shares of the coffee company's stock, valued at approximately $294,196,000. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. owned 0.25% of Starbucks as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in SBUX. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC purchased a new position in Starbucks in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Phillip James Consulting Co. purchased a new stake in shares of Starbucks during the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC purchased a new position in Starbucks in the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. Entrust Financial LLC acquired a new position in Starbucks during the 4th quarter worth $26,000. Finally, Financial Freedom LLC grew its stake in Starbucks by 296.2% during the 1st quarter. Financial Freedom LLC now owns 313 shares of the coffee company's stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 234 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 72.29% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

SBUX has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Evercore reaffirmed an "outperform" rating on shares of Starbucks in a research report on Thursday, July 30th. Robert W. Baird set a $124.00 target price on shares of Starbucks in a research note on Thursday, July 30th. Sanford C. Bernstein cut shares of Starbucks from an "outperform" rating to a "market perform" rating in a report on Monday, August 3rd. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on shares of Starbucks in a research note on Thursday, May 14th. They issued a "buy" rating for the company. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus set a $117.00 price target on shares of Starbucks and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, May 6th. Nineteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and four have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $110.30.

Insider Activity at Starbucks

In other news, CEO Brady Brewer sold 2,229 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $105.99, for a total value of $236,251.71. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 75,135 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $7,963,558.65. The trade was a 2.88% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders sold a total of 6,687 shares of company stock worth $681,663 in the last 90 days. 0.03% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Key Headlines Impacting Starbucks

Here are the key news stories impacting Starbucks this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Starbucks is eliminating more than 200 corporate positions as part of a broader restructuring and approximately $2 billion cost-reduction effort. Lower overhead could support profitability if the company maintains service levels and directs more resources toward its stores. The reductions do not involve cafe closures. Starbucks trims corporate ranks as coffeehouse investments deliver
• Positive Sentiment: Recent market commentary highlights Starbucks’ roughly 25% 2026 gain and suggests investors are rewarding its operational reset and investments in the cafe experience. The rally follows the company’s latest quarterly earnings beat, with adjusted EPS of $0.85 versus a $0.66 consensus estimate and revenue above expectations.
• Neutral Sentiment: The restructuring is relocating some corporate operations to a new, approximately $100 million Nashville office. Around 120 Seattle employees reportedly declined the move, while another 104 roles in store design and construction are being eliminated. Management characterizes the actions as part of the restructuring winding down, but the savings and impact on execution remain to be demonstrated. Starbucks cuts another 224 Seattle jobs
• Negative Sentiment: Starbucks continues to face challenges in China, where domestic competitors, shifting consumer preferences and geopolitical tensions are eroding the position of major U.S. brands. China weakness could limit international growth and pressure comparable sales. Why some of America’s biggest brands are losing ground in China
• Negative Sentiment: The stock’s strong performance has also produced a demanding valuation, with the supplied data showing a P/E ratio above 60. Investors may require sustained earnings growth from the turnaround to justify the premium, leaving SBUX vulnerable to disappointment.

Starbucks Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ SBUX opened at $107.08 on Friday. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $104.45 and its 200-day simple moving average is $100.36. The firm has a market capitalization of $122.07 billion, a PE ratio of 61.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.79 and a beta of 0.97. Starbucks Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $77.99 and a fifty-two week high of $110.51.

Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The coffee company reported $0.85 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.66 by $0.19. Starbucks had a net margin of 5.17% and a negative return on equity of 34.10%. The firm had revenue of $9.32 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.17 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.50 EPS. The company's revenue was down 1.4% on a year-over-year basis. Starbucks has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.550-2.650 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Starbucks Corporation will post 2.64 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Starbucks Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 14th will be given a dividend of $0.62 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 14th. This represents a $2.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.3%. Starbucks's payout ratio is 142.53%.

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.

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