$SBUX

Starbucks Q4 2026: EPS tops expectations as comps rise 7.2%

Starbucks reported Q4 2026 adjusted EPS of $0.80, exceeding expectations, while revenue of $9.14B missed due to China retail restructuring. North America revenue grew 6.2%, and global comparable sales rose 7.2%. The company guided fiscal 2027 EPS to $3.15-$3.25 and plans to resume share buybacks and open 1,200 new stores.

Original reporting
Published Oct 29, 2026, 8:07 PM UTC
Analysis
AlphAI AI DeskAI-generated
Added to AlphAI Oct 29, 2026, 9:03 PM UTC. Informational, not investment advice.
How this was made
AlphAI summarizes source reporting and applies a structured AI analysis for relevance, timing, sentiment and ticker impact. Always verify material claims with the original publisher.
Starbucks Q4 2026: EPS tops expectations as comps rise 7.2% — source image
Decision brief

The 30-second read

$SBUXBullishMed
01

Why it matters

The combination of an EPS beat, rising global comparable sales, and a quantified fiscal 2027 EPS range plus resumed buybacks creates a clear near-term repricing catalyst for the equity.

02

Market read

This is a company-specific earnings and guidance update with actionable numbers that can drive positioning ahead of subsequent analyst revisions.

03

What to watch

The article highlights China retail conversion to a licensed joint venture as a bookkeeping artifact; traders may want to verify whether reported revenue quality and margins improved alongside EPS.

Relevance 9/10Novelty 8/10Timing: after-hours/overnight following the Q4 print and fiscal 2027 guidance

Background

The piece frames Starbucks as extending its bottom-line recovery after several misses in 2025, tied to its “Back to Starbucks” plan.

Company-level read

Ticker impact

$SBUXBullishHigh confidence
Context

Starbucks reported adjusted Q4 EPS of $0.80 and guided fiscal 2027 non-GAAP EPS to $3.15-$3.25, signaling a turnaround into growth.

Expected impact

Likely upward bias as traders price in sustained EPS growth and resumed buybacks alongside improving global comparable sales.

Evidence & confidence

The article provides specific EPS beat, comp growth of 7.2%, and a quantified 2027 EPS range plus a plan to resume share repurchases and open net new stores.

Market effects

Improving comps and EPS guidance from a major coffee chain can lift sentiment for consumer discretionary and QSR peers focused on traffic and ticket growth.

North America revenue growth of 6.2% reinforces the market’s focus on the US/Canada engine rather than international accounting effects.

Global comparable coffeehouse sales rising 7.2% supports a broader view that demand is stabilizing across markets.

Counterpoint

Revenue softness versus expectations may reflect accounting effects and could mask underlying demand or margin pressure if the growth in comps is not translating into cash flow.

Key entities

  • Starbucks

    Reported adjusted Q4 EPS of $0.80, global comps up 7.2%, and issued fiscal 2027 non-GAAP EPS guidance of $3.15-$3.25 with plans to resume share repurchases and open about 1,200 net new coffeehouses.

Related articles

$SBUXMedAI 8/10

Starbucks Q4 revenue falls 4.5 pct, net income surges 408.8 pct

Starbucks reported Q4 2026 revenue fell 4.5% YoY to $9.14B, but net income surged 408.8% to $677.2M. EPS rose to $0.59, with non-GAAP adjusted EPS up 53.8%. Revenue decline was due to China operations restructuring. Global comparable sales rose 7.2%, with North America up 7.9%. Full-year revenue was $37.91B, up 2%. Starbucks expects 1% revenue decline in 2027 due to China transition.

$SBUXMed

Starbucks sales grew last quarter, and so did profits

Starbucks reported a 7.7% increase in U.S. same-store sales and 54% rise in adjusted earnings per share for its fiscal fourth quarter, driven by higher average checks and transaction counts. CEO Brian Niccol highlighted growth in loyalty members and merchandise sales, while revenue declined 4% to $9.1 billion due to the sale of Starbucks China. The company plans to open more locations and invest in technology.

$SBUXMedAI 8/10

Starbucks says US sales remain a bright spot as quarterly revenue falls short of forecasts

Starbucks reported a 7.2% global same-store sales increase in Q4, driven by 7.7% growth in the U.S., but missed revenue forecasts at $9.14B. International sales lagged, and China's joint venture impacted results. The company expects a 1% revenue decline in 2027, below estimates. Earnings per share beat expectations at 80 cents. Shares fell 2% in after-hours trading.

$SBUXHighAI 9/10

Starbucks FY26 Q4 slides: turnaround becomes growth plan

Starbucks (SBUX) reported FY26 Q4 revenue of $9.1B (-4% YoY) but EPS surged 54% to $0.80, beating estimates. Global comp sales grew 7.2%, with U.S. at 7.7%. Full-year revenue was $37.9B (+2% YoY), and EPS rose 27% to $2.72. Operating margin expanded to 14.0% in Q4. Guidance for FY27 includes 4% U.S. comp sales growth and EPS of $3.15-$3.25. Shares fell 1.85% after-hours despite the beat.