Starbucks (SBUX) News Today

Starbucks Corporation (SBUX) — investors are reacting to a fresh wave of labor risk as unionized stores begin a strike-authorization vote, while analysts and the company roll out operational changes and forecast revisions ahead of earnings. The labor developments are the biggest near-term negative catalyst; restructuring, store staffing changes and AI pilots are potential offsets that could support the turnaround under CEO Brian Niccol.

• Positive Sentiment: Starbucks is adding assistant managers across North America to improve customer service and throughput, a near-term operational move aimed at fixing execution issues in stores. Article Title
• Positive Sentiment: Management is executing a ~$1 billion restructuring plan intended to reshape store economics and valuation; if the plan delivers, it could help margins and investor sentiment over time. Article Title
• Positive Sentiment: Starbucks is testing AI initiatives (a reported “secret AI barista”) that could lower labor costs or improve throughput if successful — long‑term upside but uncertain near term. Article Title
• Neutral Sentiment: Barclays cut its price target to $95 from $115 but kept an Overweight rating, signalling confidence in the longer-term thesis despite near-term execution risk. Article Title
• Neutral Sentiment: Earnings event: Starbucks is set to report Q4 2025 results after the close on Oct. 29 — a key near-term catalyst that could swing the stock depending on same-store sales, margins and guidance. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: Unionized Starbucks Workers United has kicked off a strike‑authorization vote amid stalled contract talks — authorization could lead to more strikes and broader disruptions across union stores, a clear near-term operational and revenue risk. Article Title Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: Analysts are trimming near-term earnings estimates — William Blair reduced FY/quarterly forecasts — adding downside risk to consensus EPS and guidance expectations. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: Pre‑earnings previews (Zacks, others) flag an expected decline in quarterly earnings, heightening the significance of Oct. 29 results for the stock’s near-term direction. Article Title