Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) Short Interest Down 14.8% in February

Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) was the target of a significant decrease in short interest in the month of February. As of February 27th, there was short interest totaling 41,238,097 shares, a decrease of 14.8% from the February 12th total of 48,403,877 shares. Approximately 3.6% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 6,448,806 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 6.4 days. Based on an average trading volume of 6,448,806 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 6.4 days. Approximately 3.6% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Starbucks Stock Down 2.8%

NASDAQ SBUX traded down $2.70 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $94.88. 1,729,039 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 9,347,963. The company has a market cap of $108.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 78.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.18 and a beta of 0.93. Starbucks has a 12-month low of $75.50 and a 12-month high of $104.82. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $95.66 and a 200 day moving average of $88.46.

Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, January 28th. The coffee company reported $0.56 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.59 by ($0.03). The business had revenue of $9.92 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.62 billion. Starbucks had a negative return on equity of 28.66% and a net margin of 3.63%.The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.69 EPS. Starbucks has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.150-2.400 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Starbucks will post 2.99 earnings per share for the current year.

Key Headlines Impacting Starbucks

Here are the key news stories impacting Starbucks this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Europe coffee-market growth supports long-term demand tailwinds for large chains like Starbucks; ResearchAndMarkets forecasts expansion in European coffee sales, which can help SBUX international growth prospects. Europe Coffee Market Share Analysis and Growth Forecasts (2026-2031)
• Positive Sentiment: Several bullish retail pieces argue SBUX remains a durable consumer franchise and highlight 2026 YTD gains, supporting the long-term buy-and-hold case for investors focused on income/growth. Could Buying Starbucks Stock Today Set You Up for Life?
• Neutral Sentiment: A data breach was reported but initial coverage says shoppers were largely unaffected, suggesting limited short-term consumer-impact risk — monitor disclosures for any escalation. Data Breach Hits Starbucks, Leaves Shoppers Untouched
• Neutral Sentiment: Comparisons and analysis pieces (e.g., dividend/peer comparisons, Nasdaq index chatter) keep SBUX in investor conversations but are not immediate catalysts. Starbucks Emerges In Nasdaq Index Retail Conversations
• Negative Sentiment: RBC Capital downgraded SBUX, flagging surging labor costs and the need for continued investments as margins pressures — a high-profile sell-side downgrade that can weigh on sentiment. Starbucks Stock Downgraded. Surging Labor Costs Are a Problem.
• Negative Sentiment: Seeking Alpha / RBC coverage likewise frames the risk-reward as balanced, reinforcing downside narrative from the downgrade. Starbucks is cut at RBC with the risk-reward profile seen as balanced
• Negative Sentiment: Shareholders are pushing to oust board members over stalled union talks, raising governance and execution risk that could create near-term volatility. Starbucks shareholders push to oust board members over stalled union talks
• Negative Sentiment: Competitive pressure is rising from fast, low-cost chains and new entrants (Blank Street, fast-food rollouts), which analysts and press note as a reason for share slippage and potential margin pressure. Blank Street Wants To Be Starbucks For Gen Z Starbucks Stock Slips as Blank Street Gains Ground

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

SBUX has been the topic of a number of research reports. Bank of America set a $114.00 price target on Starbucks in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. Piper Sandler reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and set a $103.00 price objective (up from $100.00) on shares of Starbucks in a research note on Friday, January 30th. TD Cowen reaffirmed a “hold” rating and set a $89.00 price objective (up from $84.00) on shares of Starbucks in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Barclays set a $116.00 target price on Starbucks and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Finally, Guggenheim restated a “neutral” rating and set a $95.00 price target (up from $90.00) on shares of Starbucks in a research note on Wednesday, March 4th. Fifteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $103.81.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CEO Brady Brewer sold 1,641 shares of Starbucks stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $97.12, for a total value of $159,373.92. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 86,605 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $8,411,077.60. The trade was a 1.86% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Sara Kelly sold 2,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $97.12, for a total transaction of $242,800.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 59,609 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,789,226.08. This represents a 4.03% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 4,729 shares of company stock worth $460,974. Insiders own 0.03% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Starbucks

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in SBUX. Osbon Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Starbucks during the 4th quarter valued at about $67,000. World Investment Advisors lifted its holdings in shares of Starbucks by 6.9% in the fourth quarter. World Investment Advisors now owns 86,981 shares of the coffee company’s stock valued at $7,325,000 after purchasing an additional 5,635 shares in the last quarter. Meadowbrook Advisors Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Starbucks in the fourth quarter valued at about $368,000. Green Ridge Wealth Planning LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Starbucks in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $259,000. Finally, Audent Global Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Starbucks by 89.6% during the 4th quarter. Audent Global Asset Management LLC now owns 9,330 shares of the coffee company’s stock worth $786,000 after purchasing an additional 4,408 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 72.29% 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.