China smartphone shipments slumped in June on inventory overhang: Jefferies
On Friday, Baird reaffirmed its confidence in Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX), maintaining an Outperform rating and a $110.00 price target for the company's shares. The firm's analysis suggests that Starbucks still has significant room to increase its number of U.S. locations, which could drive revenue growth for the foreseeable future.
The reaffirmation comes amid investor concerns regarding the coffee giant's potential for further expansion within the U.S. market. Despite these doubts, Baird's recent Total Addressable Market (TAM) analysis indicates that Starbucks could sustain a 3-4% annual growth rate in U.S. unit counts.
Baird's stance is based on the importance of the U.S. market to Starbucks' overall revenue trajectory. The firm highlights that the American segment of the business is expected to continue exerting a major influence on Starbucks' total revenue growth. This projection remains relevant especially as Starbucks contemplates transitioning to a licensed model in China.
In the detailed commentary, Baird emphasized the significance of understanding Starbucks' growth opportunities in the U.S., especially considering the business's influence on the company's revenue growth rate. The firm's updated TAM analysis was a key factor in supporting the Outperform rating and the $110.00 price target.
Starbucks, listed on NASDAQ:SBUX, is poised to continue its growth in the U.S., according to Baird's findings. The firm's analysis underpins the belief that there is still ample opportunity for Starbucks to expand its domestic presence and sustain revenue growth in the coming years.
In other recent news, Starbucks Corporation has been the focus of various analysts' reports. Jefferies downgraded Starbucks' stock rating from 'Hold' to 'Underperform' due to concerns over operational challenges and the anticipated impact on earnings growth. The firm predicts low single-digit percentage earnings per share growth for fiscal year 2025, which falls short of the consensus expectations of an 11-12% increase.
On the other hand, BofA Securities raised its price target on Starbucks shares to $118, retaining a Buy rating. This adjustment reflects the firm's heightened confidence in Starbucks' operational performance, backed by an expectation of higher steady state comparable store sales growth. Goldman Sachs reaffirmed its Buy rating on Starbucks, emphasizing the company's commitment to enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency.
TD Cowen and BMO Capital set a price target of $110, expressing confidence in new CEO, Brian Niccol, to drive Starbucks' growth. Despite a 6% decrease in North American transactions in the June quarter, analysts expect Starbucks to see earnings growth exceeding 15% over the next three years under Niccol's guidance.
In terms of leadership changes, Starbucks North American CEO, Michael Conway, announced his retirement effective November 30, 2024. The company has yet to announce a successor for the role.
InvestingPro Insights
Baird's upbeat outlook on Starbucks Corporation is echoed by some of the real-time data and metrics from InvestingPro. Currently, Starbucks boasts a substantial market capitalization of $110.45 billion, underscoring its significant presence in the industry. Despite concerns about its expansion potential, the company has shown a steady revenue growth of 4.17% in the last twelve months as of Q3 2024, which is a testament to its enduring appeal and business model resilience. Moreover, Starbucks has demonstrated a strong return over the last three months, with a price total return of 23.76%, signaling investor confidence and market momentum.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that Starbucks has a track record of rewarding investors, having raised its dividend for 14 consecutive years, which may appeal to those looking for consistent income streams from their investments. Additionally, analysts predict the company will remain profitable this year, aligning with Baird's positive assessment. For investors seeking deeper analysis and more InvestingPro Tips, there are additional insights available, including a closer examination of the company's moderate level of debt and its position as a prominent player in the Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure industry.
For those considering Starbucks as an investment, it's worth noting that the company's P/E ratio stands at 27.26, which might suggest a premium valuation relative to near-term earnings growth. However, the company's ongoing profitability and strategic growth initiatives could justify this valuation for long-term investors. For a more comprehensive set of InvestingPro Tips, interested parties can find further details on the company's financial health and market performance on the InvestingPro platform, which includes a total of 9 tips specifically for Starbucks.
As Starbucks prepares for its next earnings date on October 31, 2024, investors will be closely monitoring whether the company can maintain its growth trajectory and continue to capitalize on its U.S. market opportunities as suggested by Baird's analysis and the supportive data from InvestingPro.
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