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On Tuesday, Evercore ISI reiterated its Outperform rating on Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) with a price target of $120.00, as the stock trades near its 52-week high of $114.68. According to InvestingPro data, the company’s current market capitalization stands at $128.69 billion, though technical indicators suggest the stock may be overbought. The firm’s analysis follows recent announcements concerning Starbucks’ operational changes. The coffee giant is laying off 1,100 corporate employees and will close several hundred open and unfilled positions. This decision affects approximately 7% of the company’s non-café workforce, which totals 16,000 employees. While the exact impact on corporate roles is not fully detailed in the public filings, InvestingPro analysis shows the company maintains a GOOD financial health score, operating with moderate debt levels. Discover 12+ additional exclusive insights about Starbucks’ financial position with an InvestingPro subscription.
According to Evercore ISI’s assessment, Starbucks’ corporate general and administrative expenses were $1.8 billion in FY24, compared to an operating income of $5.4 billion. The firm estimates that a 3% reduction in corporate G&A costs could result in a 1% increase in total company operating income. Employees affected by the layoffs were instructed to work from home this week, with notifications of termination being issued by Tuesday.
In addition to the layoffs, Starbucks is making changes to its remote work policies. Vice presidents and higher-level employees will now be required to work from the company’s Seattle or Toronto offices at least three days a week. Meanwhile, directors and lower-level employees can maintain their remote work status. However, new hires for future roles will likely need to be in-person at either the Seattle or Toronto locations.
Starbucks is also streamlining its menu by removing low-selling beverages to improve service speed. The changes, set to take effect on March 4th, include the discontinuation of several Frappuccino flavors, the royal English breakfast latte, and the white hot chocolate. These items were identified as either low-selling, complicated to prepare, or too similar to other menu options. This move is part of Starbucks’ broader strategy to enhance operational efficiency and customer experience.
In other recent news, Starbucks Corporation reported its fourth-quarter earnings for 2024, surpassing analysts’ expectations with an earnings per share (EPS) of $0.69, slightly above the forecasted $0.68. The company also reported revenue of $9.4 billion, which exceeded the anticipated $9.35 billion. Despite a 4% decline in global comparable store sales, U.S. ticket growth was positive at 4%, reflecting strategic shifts in marketing. In a move to enhance operational efficiency, Starbucks announced plans to cut 1,100 corporate jobs, which is approximately 7% of its global corporate workforce. Meanwhile, the company is expanding in the Middle East, planning to open around 500 new locations over the next five years, creating approximately 5,000 jobs. CEO Brian Niccol emphasized that these expansions are part of Starbucks’ broader strategy to recover and grow in previously challenging markets. Additionally, Starbucks is focusing on reducing discount-driven transactions and shifting towards broader marketing strategies, as indicated by their recent earnings call. These developments are part of Starbucks’ ongoing efforts to rejuvenate its operations and enhance investor confidence.
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