Starbucks Q4 Revenue Misses Estimates Despite 7.2% Same-Store Sales Growth; Shares Fall After Hours

Starbucks (SBUX) reported mixed fiscal fourth-quarter results on Thursday, with revenue and international sales falling short of estimates despite a fifth consecutive quarter of better-than-expected same-store sales growth, sending shares lower in after-hours trading. Global same-store sales rose 7.2%, topping Wall Street's 6.2% estimate, driven by a 7.7% gain in the U.S. where average ticket size grew about 5% and transactions rose roughly 2%. Adjusted earnings per share came in at $0.80, beating the $0.71 consensus. Revenue of $9.1 billion missed the $9.2 billion estimate, reflecting the sale of the company's China business, while international same-store sales grew just 0.9% versus expectations of about 3%. For the full fiscal year, revenue rose 2% to $37.9 billion, slightly below the $38 billion estimate, while adjusted EPS climbed 28% year over year to $2.72, beating the $2.62 consensus. Full-year global same-store sales grew 6.2%, above the 6% estimate, led by North America. CEO Brian Niccol said the company enters fiscal 2027 with "growing momentum." Starbucks also reiterated it is not acquiring Chipotle, clarifying rumors that surfaced earlier this month.