Gradient Investments LLC Purchases 56,965 Shares of Starbucks Corporation $SBUX

Gradient Investments LLC grew its position in Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) by 20.8% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 330,344 shares of the coffee company’s stock after purchasing an additional 56,965 shares during the period. Gradient Investments LLC’s holdings in Starbucks were worth $27,818,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Transce3nd LLC lifted its position in shares of Starbucks by 270.3% during the 2nd quarter. Transce3nd LLC now owns 274 shares of the coffee company’s stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. Collier Financial bought a new position in shares of Starbucks in the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Y.D. More Investments Ltd bought a new position in shares of Starbucks in the third quarter valued at approximately $26,000. JPL Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Starbucks during the third quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Finally, Kelleher Financial Advisors purchased a new stake in shares of Starbucks during the third quarter valued at approximately $27,000. 72.29% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at Starbucks

In other Starbucks news, EVP Sara Kelly sold 2,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $97.12, for a total transaction of $242,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 59,609 shares in the company, valued at $5,789,226.08. This trade represents a 4.03% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, CEO Brady Brewer sold 588 shares of Starbucks stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $100.00, for a total transaction of $58,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 86,017 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $8,601,700. The trade was a 0.68% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold a total of 4,729 shares of company stock worth $460,974 over the last 90 days. 0.03% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have weighed in on the company. Dbs Bank raised Starbucks from a “strong sell” rating to a “moderate sell” rating in a research report on Friday. UBS Group reaffirmed a “neutral” rating on shares of Starbucks in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Mizuho lifted their target price on Starbucks from $86.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Monday, January 26th. New Street Research set a $90.00 price target on shares of Starbucks in a report on Tuesday, January 27th. Finally, Piper Sandler restated an “overweight” rating and set a $103.00 price target (up from $100.00) on shares of Starbucks in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Fifteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $103.81.

Starbucks Trading Down 3.4%

Shares of NASDAQ SBUX opened at $92.55 on Monday. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $96.01 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $88.57. Starbucks Corporation has a 1-year low of $75.50 and a 1-year high of $104.82. The firm has a market cap of $105.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 76.49, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.06 and a beta of 0.93.

Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) last issued 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). Starbucks had a net margin of 3.63% and a negative return on equity of 28.66%. The firm had revenue of $9.92 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.62 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.69 earnings per share. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 5.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Starbucks has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.150-2.400 EPS. Analysts forecast that Starbucks Corporation will post 2.99 EPS for the current year.

Trending Headlines about Starbucks

Here are the key news stories impacting Starbucks this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Company plans to open 600–650 new stores in FY26, which supports revenue growth and global expansion if execution holds; this is a potential medium-term tailwind. Starbucks Targets 600-650 New Stores in FY26: Is Execution the Key?
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyses note the company’s investment story is shifting as turnaround hopes confront valuation questions — useful context for medium/long-term positioning but not an immediate catalyst. How The Starbucks (SBUX) Investment Story Is Shifting As Turnaround Hopes Meet Valuation Questions
• Neutral Sentiment: Industry reference: Dutch Bros’ loyalty growth highlights the benefits of engagement-driven sales — a reminder that loyalty execution matters across the category. Dutch Bros Loyalty Hits 15M Members: Is Engagement Driving Sales?
• Negative Sentiment: RBC Capital downgraded SBUX, putting near-term pressure on the stock and signaling concerns from a major sell-side firm. RBC Capital downgrades Starbucks (SBUX)
• Negative Sentiment: Customer backlash following the March rewards-program overhaul (three-tier system) risks lower loyalty and transaction frequency if dissatisfaction persists. Starbucks Rewards Backlash Highlights Retail’s Shift Away From Points-Based Loyalty
• Negative Sentiment: Brand and design changes may not be winning back younger customers as intended, raising execution and brand-relevance risks. Starbucks’ Redesigns May Not Pull Youth Market, Starbucks Stock (NASDAQ:SBUX) Drops
• Negative Sentiment: Recent market reaction has been negative (shares down), reflecting the combination of the above headlines plus lingering concerns from the company’s recent EPS miss and high valuation metrics. Starbucks (SBUX) Suffers a Larger Drop Than the General Market: Key Insights

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.