New York, Jan 28, 2026, 19:32 EST — Trading after hours.
- SBUX slipped roughly 0.6% in after-hours trading following a choppy session post-earnings.
- Starbucks reported Q1 revenue of $9.9 billion, with global comparable-store sales up 4%.
- Attention turns to Thursday’s Investor Day, where long-term targets and a clearer margin outlook are expected.
Starbucks (SBUX) shares slipped 0.6% to $95.16 in after-hours trading Wednesday, following a rollercoaster day sparked by the company’s quarterly report. The stock swung between $94.55 and $105.64 after kicking off the session at $102.42.
The company posted its first U.S. sales increase in two years and is gearing up for its inaugural investor day with CEO Brian Niccol at the helm — the ex-Chipotle chief brought in to lead a turnaround. “Tomorrow is going to be a big day,” said Nick Setyan, an analyst at Mizuho Securities. He added, “operating margins need to start improving.” 1
Starbucks reported a 4% increase in global comparable-store sales for the fiscal first quarter ended Dec. 28, driven by a 3% boost in transactions. Net revenue rose 6% to $9.9 billion, while adjusted earnings, excluding one-off items, dropped to 56 cents a share. Operating margin fell 290 basis points to 9.0%. CEO Niccol said the “Back to Starbucks” strategy is “working” and “ahead of schedule.” The company projected fiscal 2026 adjusted earnings between $2.15 and $2.40 per share and noted a China joint venture with Boyu Capital expected to close this spring. 2
Starbucks revealed the results in an SEC filing that included the earnings release signed by CFO Cathy Smith. 3
Shares surged over 6% in premarket trading following the report, only to lose steam as the session progressed. “We have a plan … and the plan is working,” Niccol said to investors, cautioning that the turnaround might not follow a straight path. 4
Starbucks plans to kick off its investor day Thursday at 8 a.m. ET, wrapping up around noon. The agenda includes presentations and a Q&A with CEO Niccol and other top executives. The company intends to outline its long-term growth strategy during the event. 5
Traders are zeroing in on details: just how quickly service times can improve, when labor costs might ease, and the impact on margins later this year. The guidance sets the outline, but the market craves the connecting steps.
Still, the stock’s volatility shows that stronger traffic doesn’t guarantee improved earnings. If coffee prices remain elevated or the chain must maintain heavy staffing to ensure service, the profit outlook might be overly optimistic.
U.S. stocks closed almost flat Wednesday, following the Federal Reserve’s decision to hold interest rates steady. With no broad market moves, individual stock news took center stage. Starbucks is set for the spotlight on Thursday. 6
Next on deck is Starbucks’ investor day on Jan. 29. Investors are looking for new long-term goals and clearer updates on the China partnership schedule. Falling short here might weigh on SBUX heading into next week’s session.
