Starbucks stock (SBUX) slips after report flags AI inventory glitches ahead of earnings

Starbucks stock (SBUX) slips after report flags AI inventory glitches ahead of earnings

New York, January 27, 2026, 14:50 EST — During regular session

  • SBUX dipped roughly 0.7% during afternoon trading, underperforming the stronger S&P 500
  • Report highlights product shortages alongside problems with an AI inventory tool
  • Earnings are set for Wednesday morning, with the investor day scheduled for Thursday

Shares of Starbucks Corporation dipped 0.7% to $95.62 on Tuesday following a Reuters report that highlighted ongoing product shortages and issues with an AI-driven inventory tool. The company maintains it is “modernizing systems with AI-ready platforms.” Douglas Kent, executive vice president at the Association for Supply Chain Management, noted that hitting “95% or more” on-time, complete deliveries remains the benchmark. (Reuters)

The coffee giant will unveil its fiscal first-quarter results at 7:45 a.m. ET on Wednesday, with a conference call scheduled for 8:00 a.m., the company announced. Investors are focused on comparable sales—stores open at least a year—and are eager for signs of how quickly CEO Brian Niccol can tighten store operations. (Starbucks Investor Relations)

Starbucks will hold its investor day tomorrow to outline its long-term growth plans. According to a company statement, the webcast kicks off around 8:00 a.m. ET and will run until midday. CEO Niccol and CFO Cathy Smith are set to speak. (Starbucks Investor Relations)

U.S. stocks edged up on optimism around earnings, with the S&P 500 rising roughly 0.5% and the Nasdaq gaining ground, even as the Dow drifted lower. Investors are weighing a packed earnings calendar alongside anticipation for the Federal Reserve’s upcoming policy move. (Reuters)

Starbucks closed Monday at $96.33, up roughly 14% in 2026, according to Investopedia, pushing the stock close to a 10-month peak. This rally puts extra pressure on the company’s guidance and investor-day targets this week. (Yahoo Finance)

Separately, Starbucks has scrapped the $250,000 yearly limit on CEO Brian Niccol’s personal use of the company jet following a security review, Business Insider reported. This isn’t a financial strain, but the move comes as Starbucks pitches its turnaround to investors. (Business Insider)

Traders are keeping an eye on store operations for signs of tightening—fewer outages, shorter wait times, and reduced waste—even if earnings don’t deliver a big surprise. But if product gaps persist during key dayparts, the turnaround story loses traction.

Bulls face the risk that fixes drag on longer than anticipated, or that management outlines a bigger investment plan cutting into short-term profits. A weaker consumer or just execution slips could weigh on a stock that’s already climbed.

Wednesday morning brings the latest results and outlook, followed by Thursday’s investor day. For SBUX, these two events will probably shape trading through February.

Stock Market Today

  • ASX Growth Companies with High Insider Ownership to Watch in January 2026
    January 27, 2026, 3:12 PM EST. Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) growth stocks show strong insider ownership, signaling internal confidence amid a risk-on market. Companies like Polymetals Resources and Pointerra report insider holdings above 20%, with spectacular earnings growth over 100%. Elsight Limited (ASX:ELS), at 17.3% insider ownership, leads in connectivity tech with a projected 68.3% annual revenue increase, driven by U.S. defense contracts. LGI Limited (ASX:LGI), focused on carbon abatement and renewable energy, posts nearly 20% insider ownership and forecasted 27.34% earnings growth annually. Recent equity moves and executive transitions hint at dynamic corporate maneuvers. Investors eye these firms as the ASX reflects global positive momentum, with this insider alignment offering potential value in a buoyant market.
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