New York, Jan 22, 2026, 20:07 EST — Market closed.
- After the close, Starbucks shares dipped roughly 0.6%, as attention turned back to its events from late January
- The company scheduled its Investor Day for Jan. 29, with executives ready to unveil a long-term growth plan
- William Blair raised its rating on the stock just before Starbucks’ earnings report due Jan. 28
Starbucks (SBUX) shares dipped roughly 0.6% to $95.83 after Thursday’s close, with investors bracing for a packed schedule featuring earnings next week and a strategy update the following day.
The timing is critical. With earnings scheduled for Jan. 28 and an Investor Day the next day, Jan. 29, traders often shift positions ahead of time—especially in a stock where guidance and long-term targets can swiftly alter estimates.
Investor Day usually serves as a platform for a company to lay out its plans on growth, spending, and returns — sometimes shifting expectations within hours. For Starbucks, the focus is on traffic trends, cost pressures, and the pace at which margins might bounce back.
Starbucks plans to lay out its long-term growth roadmap at its 2026 Investor Day on Thursday, Jan. 29. CEO Brian Niccol and CFO Cathy Smith, along with other executives, will lead presentations and a Q&A session. 1
The company said the webcast will kick off around 8:00 a.m. ET and continue until roughly midday.
William Blair raised its rating on Starbucks to “Outperform” from “Market Perform” on Thursday, citing anticipated domestic comparable-sales growth in the December quarter, Investing.com reports. 2
Comparable sales — a key metric — track sales at stores open for at least a year, giving investors insight into true demand beyond just new store openings.
Despite the upgrade, questions linger. William Blair highlighted margin recovery as a key issue, pointing out that rising labor costs could pressure profits if sales don’t rise accordingly, the report noted.
During regular U.S. trading on Thursday, Starbucks’ shares fluctuated between $94.92 and $97.76, ending with indications just under the previous close of $96.46.
The downside is clear: weaker-than-expected demand in next week’s results or cautious management commentary could weigh on the stock. And if the company outlines a strategy lacking clear cost and return targets, the share price might face pressure heading into the February reporting season.
Investors have their eyes on the calendar now. Starbucks will report its fiscal first-quarter results at 7:45 a.m. ET on Wednesday, Jan. 28, followed by a conference call at 8:00 a.m. ET, the company confirmed. 3
