New York, Jan 23, 2026, 14:23 EST — Regular session
- Shares of Starbucks climbed roughly 0.9% in afternoon trading following an upgrade from William Blair.
- On Jan. 29, the company will present its long-term growth strategy at Investor Day.
- Starbucks is set to report fiscal Q1 results and provide its outlook on Jan. 28, drawing investor attention.
Starbucks shares climbed on Friday, nudging the stock higher as investors digested a new Wall Street upgrade ahead of two key company events scheduled for next week.
The coffee chain faces a narrow window to prove its turnaround is gaining momentum. Starbucks will release fiscal first-quarter results on Jan. 28, then hold an Investor Day the next day, Jan. 29, offering investors two consecutive insights into demand and spending strategies.
Starbucks gained 0.9% in afternoon trading, reaching $96.67.
Starbucks announced late Thursday that it plans to reveal its long-term growth strategy at its 2026 Investor Day. CEO Brian Niccol and CFO Cathy Smith will lead presentations and a Q&A session. The webcast is set to begin around 8 a.m. ET and wrap up near noon.
On Thursday, William Blair raised its rating on Starbucks to “Outperform” from “Market Perform,” expecting U.S. comparable sales to bounce back. This marks the broker’s latest indication that traffic may be leveling off. Comparable sales—also known as same-store sales—measure revenue from stores open at least a year. StreetInsider.com
William Blair flagged margin recovery as the bigger question, highlighting labor investments and a slower route to profit gains even if sales pick up. The firm noted Starbucks’ plan to add roughly $500 million in labor costs in fiscal 2026.
Niccol called the move a reset. “Our turnaround is taking hold,” he said in comments shared on the company’s investor relations page, pointing to Starbucks’ “Back to Starbucks” strategy. Starbucks Investor Relations
The stock has bounced back over the past few sessions but still sits far below its 52-week peak, highlighting that much of the rally hinges on optimism rather than solid results.
But the situation works both ways. Should U.S. demand remain soft while labor and operational costs continue to pressure margins, investors might zero in on valuation and the possibility that a recovery drags on longer than expected.
Starbucks will report its fiscal first-quarter results at 7:45 a.m. ET on Jan. 28, with a conference call set for 8 a.m. ET.
Tomorrow, investors will zero in on Starbucks’ Investor Day for details on the pace of recovery in comparable sales and profitability — plus the price tag of that rebound.
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