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Starbucks to resume share buybacks but China shift clouds growth outlook

Starbucks reported fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 results featuring stronger-than-expected comparable sales in the United States and plans to restart share buybacks, even as international performance fell short. The coffee chain posted a slight revenue miss alongside an earnings beat. Management issued fiscal 2027 annual profit forecasts above Wall Street estimates, pointing to traction in its ongoing turnaround strategy. However, uncertainty surrounding a transition in its China business clouds the broader growth outlook and contributes to anticipated lower consolidated revenue.

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  • ✓ Starbucks reported fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 results with higher comparable sales, expanded operating margins, and an increase in earnings per share.
  • ✓ Starbucks plans to resume share buybacks in fiscal 2027.
  • ✓ The company posted adjusted earnings per share forecast between $3.15 and $3.25 for fiscal 2027, exceeding analyst estimates of $3.14.
  • ✓ US same-store sales rose 7.7% during the period.
🛡️ Source Corroboration: 15 independent reporting domains (100% confidence) ⏱ Read time: ~2 min

What changed

Starbucks announced its intention to resume share repurchases in fiscal 2027 while detailing the financial impacts of its China joint venture transition.

Live updates

  1. Starbucks Resumes Buybacks As US Sales Climb

    Starbucks reported fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 results featuring stronger-than-expected comparable sales in the United States and plans to restart share buybacks, even as international performance fell short. The coffee chain posted a slight revenue miss alongside an earnings beat. Management issued fiscal 2027 annual profit forecasts above Wall Street estimates, pointing to traction in its ongoing turnaround strategy. However, uncertainty surrounding a transition in its China business clouds the broader growth outlook and contributes to anticipated lower consolidated revenue.

    Why it matters

    The coffee giant is navigating a comprehensive turnaround plan aimed at restoring momentum across its store footprint. Domestic operations showed resilience with increased transactions, helping offset weaknesses abroad. At the same time, structural shifts in international markets, specifically moving the China business to a licensed joint venture model, are actively altering how the company records revenue.

    What is confirmed

    • Starbucks reported fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 results with higher comparable sales, expanded operating margins, and an increase in earnings per share.
    • Starbucks plans to resume share buybacks in fiscal 2027.
    • The company posted adjusted earnings per share forecast between $3.15 and $3.25 for fiscal 2027, exceeding analyst estimates of $3.14.
    • US same-store sales rose 7.7% during the period.
    • North America operations saw a 2.7% increase in transactions.

    Still unconfirmed

    • Management guided to about a 1% consolidated net revenue decline for fiscal 2027, tied largely to the China licensing transition and the 53rd week effect.

    What to watch next

    • Execution of the planned share buybacks in fiscal 2027
    • Financial reporting adjustments following the China joint venture transition
    • Quarterly performance of the ongoing turnaround strategy
    Sources used for this update (15)
    1. www.zerohedge.com — Futures Rise, Oil Slides As Iran's Supreme Leader Talks Peace And Shrugs Off Ras Tanura Attack
    2. CNBC — Starbucks international business disappoints but U.S. stores outperform
    3. Bloomberg.com — Starbucks US Sales Beat Estimates, Extending Growth Run
    4. WSJ — Starbucks Same-Store Sales Climb on U.S. Growth
    5. Yahoo Finance — Starbucks posts slight revenue miss, earnings beat in Q4 results as CEO says turnaround plan 'is working'
    6. Financial Times — Starbucks to resume share buybacks but China shift clouds growth outlook
    7. Reuters — Starbucks sees annual profit above estimates as turnaround gains traction
    8. www.cnbc.com — Starbucks (SBUX) Q4 2026 earnings - CNBC
    9. www.theglobaleconomics.com — Starbucks Turnaround Efforts Improve Profit, And Coffee Chain ...
    10. web.matrixnews.in — Starbucks plans to resume share buybacks as China clouds ...
    11. www.marketbeat.com — What Starbucks (SBUX) Said on Its Q4 Earnings Call - MarketBeat
    12. www.panabee.com — Starbucks Earnings Q4 2026 | SBUX News & Analysis
    confidence 100%
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