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Investing.com - Jefferies downgraded Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) stock rating from Hold to Underperform on Thursday, while setting a price target of $76.00. The coffee chain giant, currently trading at $92.51 with a market capitalization of $105 billion, appears overvalued according to InvestingPro’s Fair Value analysis.
The downgrade comes as Jefferies believes the stock has "surpassed reasonable expectations for improving fundamentals" according to its research note. The firm expressed concerns about Starbucks’ near-term performance prospects, which align with the company’s high P/E ratio of 33.7x and recent revenue decline of 0.5%. InvestingPro analysis reveals additional insights through 10 key ProTips and comprehensive financial metrics.
Credit and debit card data, along with foot traffic and app usage metrics, suggest potential downside to consensus estimates for Starbucks’ fiscal third and fourth quarter U.S. comparable sales, Jefferies noted in its analysis.
The research firm pointed to "complex people and ops issues" that could take longer than expected for management to address, potentially creating headwinds for the coffee chain’s performance.
Jefferies also highlighted that "significant investments" by Starbucks would likely weigh on the company’s earnings, contributing to the firm’s more cautious outlook and below-consensus estimates for the near term.
In other recent news, Starbucks announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.61 per share, payable on August 29, 2025, to shareholders recorded by August 15, 2025. The company continues to maintain a consistent dividend program as part of its capital return strategy. In a move to enhance workplace culture, Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol revealed that employees at Seattle and Toronto support centers, along with North American regional offices, will now be required to work from the office four days a week. This policy will be effective starting September 29 and aims to strengthen team dynamics amid ongoing efforts to boost sales growth.
Analyst firms have also shared their insights on Starbucks’ stock. Melius Research initiated coverage with a Sell rating and an $80 price target, expressing concerns over operational consistency and competition in China. Conversely, Citi raised its price target to $100, maintaining a Neutral rating, with optimism surrounding the Green Apron initiative’s impact on same-store sales. Meanwhile, Stifel reiterated a Buy rating with a $105 price target, highlighting ongoing discussions regarding a potential stake sale in Starbucks’ China business. Stifel views the U.S. turnaround efforts as a key driver for future stock appreciation.
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