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On Monday, Jefferies reaffirmed its Underperform rating on Starbucks stock (NASDAQ:SBUX) with a steady price target of $76.00. The firm’s analysts noted a cautious outlook from Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol during the Annual Shareholder meeting on March 12. They observed his tone in both prepared remarks and the Q&A session, which suggested a guarded approach to the company’s future.
The analysts at Jefferies have revised their estimates for the second quarter of fiscal year 2025-2026 and introduced their forecast for fiscal year 2027 earnings per share (EPS) at $4.05, which is below the consensus. This adjustment reflects their struggle to navigate through the numerous variables and uncertainties currently present in their financial model for Starbucks, a $110.26 billion market cap company with annual revenue of $36.15 billion. Despite these challenges, they believe the model is starting to establish a baseline for earnings. InvestingPro analysis shows the company maintains a FAIR financial health score, with 10+ additional insights available to subscribers.
The decision to maintain the Underperform rating comes as the analysts assess the complexity of Starbucks’ turnaround efforts. While the stock has gained 6.96% year-to-date and 9.74% over the past year, the company is dealing with multiple factors that could impact its performance, and the analysts are taking a conservative stance as they evaluate the potential outcomes. InvestingPro’s technical analysis indicates the stock may be entering oversold territory, offering a comprehensive view of both fundamental and technical factors.
Jefferies’ stance indicates a level of skepticism about Starbucks’ ability to quickly recover or significantly improve its financial results in the near future. The analysts’ comments suggest that they are closely monitoring the company’s progress and are prepared to adjust their expectations as more information becomes available.
Investors and stakeholders in Starbucks will likely keep an eye on the company’s financial reports and strategic moves in the coming quarters to see if the coffee giant can address the concerns raised by Jefferies and meet or exceed market expectations.
In other recent news, Starbucks has unveiled several significant developments. The company announced the appointment of Cathy R. Smith as the new Chief Financial Officer, bringing extensive experience from previous roles at Nordstrom (NYSE:JWN) and Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT). Her appointment follows the departure of Rachel Ruggeri, who has been praised for her nearly two decades of service. Additionally, Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol presented the "Back to Starbucks" business strategy, which focuses on enhancing customer experience and store atmosphere, particularly during peak hours. The plan includes minimizing discount-driven offers and simplifying the menu, aiming to improve both customer and partner satisfaction.
Starbucks also disclosed the outcomes of its 2025 Annual Meeting, where all nine director nominees were elected, and Deloitte & Touche LLP was ratified as the independent accounting firm. However, several shareholder proposals, including those related to discrimination risks and human rights, did not pass. Meanwhile, Evercore ISI maintained its Outperform rating for Starbucks, with a price target of $120. The firm noted Starbucks’ decision to lay off 1,100 corporate employees and streamline its menu as part of efforts to enhance operational efficiency. These changes include the removal of low-selling beverages to improve service speed, reflecting a broader strategy to optimize the customer experience.
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