Services

Why Starbucks Continues Impressing Investors

Chung Sung-Jun / Getty Images

Starbucks Corp. (NASDAQ: SBUX) reported fiscal fourth-quarter and full-year 2019 results after markets closed Wednesday. For the quarter, the coffee roasting and restaurant company posted adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.70 on revenues of $6.75 billion. In the same period a year ago, the company reported EPS of $0.625 on revenues of $6.3 billion. Fourth-quarter results also compare to consensus estimates for EPS of $0.70 and $6.68 billion in revenues.

For its full fiscal year, Starbucks reported EPS of $2.83 and revenues of $26.5 compared with year-ago EPS of $2.42 and revenues of $24.72 billion. Analysts had estimated EPS of $2.82 and revenues of $26.44 billion.

Americas segment same-store sales rose 6% and U.S. average ticket and number of transactions both rose 3%. International same-store sales rose 3%.

Americas revenues rose 9% to $4.65 billion, operating income rose 5% to $938.9 million, and operating margin totaled 20.2%, down 70 basis points. In the International segment, revenues rose 6% to $1.57 billion primarily driven by 1,337 net new store openings. Operating income totaled $262.7 million and operating margin rang in at 16.7%, up 180 basis points.

CEO and President Kevin Johnson commented:

I’m very pleased with our strong finish to fiscal 2019, as we sustained positive momentum across each of our business segments. Our U.S. business delivered 6% comparable store sales growth in the fourth quarter, while China grew comparable store sales by 5% and total transactions by 13%. Our strong performance throughout fiscal 2019 gives us confidence in a robust operating outlook for fiscal 2020.

For the new 2020 fiscal year, Starbucks guided same-store sale growth of 3% to 4% relative to 2019 results. The company plans to open about 2,000 new stores worldwide, including 600 net new stores in the Americas. GAAP revenue growth is forecast at 6% to 8% year over year and adjusted EPS is targeted at $3.00 to $3.05. Capital spending is expected to reach $1.8 billion.

Starbucks repurchased 23.5 million shares of stock in the fourth quarter and approximately 29.2 million remain authorized under its current repurchase program.

The company boosted its quarterly dividend from $0.36 to $0.41, payable on November 29 to shareholders of record on November 13. The dividend yield at the old rate was 1.72%.

The stock added more than 3% in after-hours trading Wednesday to trade at $86.72 in a 52-week range of $58.07 to $99.72. The consensus 12-month price target was $95.74 before results were announced.


Take This Retirement Quiz To Get Matched With An Advisor Now (Sponsored)

Are you ready for retirement? Planning for retirement can be overwhelming, that’s why it could be a good idea to speak to a fiduciary financial advisor about your goals today.

Start by taking this retirement quiz right here from SmartAsset that will match you with up to 3 financial advisors that serve your area and beyond in 5 minutes. Smart Asset is now matching over 50,000 people a month.

Click here now to get started.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.