Starbucks Corporation $SBUX Shares Sold by Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co.

Key Points

• Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management cut its Starbucks stake by 14.4% in the fourth quarter, selling 19,542 shares and ending with 116,453 shares valued at about $9.8 million.
• Starbucks reported better-than-expected quarterly results, with EPS of $0.50 versus $0.44 expected and revenue of $9.53 billion versus $9.17 billion estimated. Revenue rose 8.8% year over year.
• The company also announced a quarterly dividend of $0.62 per share, payable May 29, and analysts currently rate the stock a “Moderate Buy” with an average price target of $107.48.

Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. reduced its holdings in Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX - Free Report) by 14.4% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 116,453 shares of the coffee company's stock after selling 19,542 shares during the quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co.'s holdings in Starbucks were worth $9,807,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Collier Financial acquired a new position in shares of Starbucks during the 3rd quarter valued at $25,000. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of Starbucks during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Y.D. More Investments Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Starbucks during the 3rd quarter valued at $26,000. JPL Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Starbucks during the 3rd quarter valued at $27,000. Finally, Kelleher Financial Advisors acquired a new position in shares of Starbucks during the 3rd quarter valued at $27,000. 72.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Starbucks Stock Down 2.2%

SBUX opened at $104.13 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $118.68 billion, a PE ratio of 78.89, a P/E/G ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 1.01. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $98.62 and a 200-day simple moving average of $93.03. Starbucks Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $77.99 and a fifty-two week high of $108.88.

Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 28th. The coffee company reported $0.50 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.44 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $9.53 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.17 billion. Starbucks had a negative return on equity of 29.24% and a net margin of 3.89%.The company's revenue was up 8.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.41 EPS. Starbucks has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.250-2.450 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Starbucks Corporation will post 2.42 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Starbucks Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 29th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.62 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 15th. This represents a $2.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.4%. Starbucks's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 187.88%.

Trending Headlines about Starbucks

Here are the key news stories impacting Starbucks this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Starbucks announced CEO Brian Niccol and CFO Cathy Smith will host a fireside chat at the Bernstein 42nd Annual Strategic Decisions Conference on May 28, giving investors another opportunity to hear updated strategy and turnaround progress. Starbucks to Participate in the Bernstein 42nd Annual Strategic Decisions Conference
• Positive Sentiment: Starbucks completed a cash tender offer to refine its debt profile, a move that can improve financial flexibility and strengthen the balance sheet. Starbucks Completes Cash Tender Offer, Refines Debt Profile
• Neutral Sentiment: Starbucks is drawing attention for its summer menu rollout and new promotions, which could help seasonal traffic but are not yet a clear earnings catalyst. Starbucks drops another summer surprise as competition heats up
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst-style coverage comparing Starbucks to retail and wholesale peers is mostly informational and does not appear to be driving a major stock-specific move. Starbucks' China JV Shift Reshapes Revenue and Margin Outlook
• Negative Sentiment: Starbucks said it is cutting another 300 jobs and taking about $400 million in restructuring charges as part of a $2 billion cost-reduction push, highlighting the cost of its turnaround. Starbucks Cuts Another 300 Jobs Amid $2 Billion Cost Reduction Push
• Negative Sentiment: Environmental reporting alleging Starbucks’ “widely recyclable” cold cups often end up in trash could hurt brand perception and invite more criticism around sustainability claims. Widely Recyclable Cold Cups Seldom Reach Recycling, Study Finds, and Starbucks Stock Pays the Price
• Negative Sentiment: Reports that Starbucks’ China JV shift will reduce reported revenue in China, even if it boosts margins and adds cash, may pressure near-term sales expectations. Starbucks' China JV Shift Reshapes Revenue and Margin Outlook

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Stephens assumed coverage on Starbucks in a research report on Thursday, May 14th. They set an "overweight" rating on the stock. New Street Research set a $90.00 price target on Starbucks in a research report on Tuesday, January 27th. Evercore lifted their price target on Starbucks from $110.00 to $115.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 29th. Dbs Bank upgraded Starbucks from a "strong sell" rating to a "moderate sell" rating in a research report on Friday, March 20th. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded Starbucks from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Friday, May 15th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty have assigned a Buy rating, ten have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $107.48.

Insider Buying and Selling at Starbucks

In other news, CEO Brady Brewer sold 2,229 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $104.81, for a total transaction of $233,621.49. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 81,559 shares of the company's stock, valued at $8,548,198.79. This trade represents a 2.66% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, EVP Sara Kelly sold 2,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, April 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $105.00, for a total value of $210,000.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 57,653 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $6,053,565. This represents a 3.35% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 11,187 shares of company stock valued at $1,111,085. Corporate insiders own 0.03% of the company's stock.

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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