Starbucks’ Traffic Headwinds Still in ‘Early Innings,’ Oppenheimer Says
Starbucks’ (SBUX) recent stock underperformance comes as it faces traffic challenges that appear to be in early stages, Oppenheimer said in a note emailed Tuesday. After attempting to identify an upgrade thesis with shares of the coffee chain down 13% since May versus a 9% improvement for the S&P 500, the brokerage said it decided to remain sidelined with a perform rating. An upgrade would require “uncovering a reversal in earnings revisions that is primarily traffic driven,” analysts Brian Bittner and Michael Tamas wrote. Starbucks’ traffic headwinds “appear in early innings and more related to price/value concerns, competition, and operations than perceived,” they said. Oppenheimer lowered its 2024 earnings per share estimate to $3.56 from $3.60 and its 2025 target to $3.99 from $4.12. Those reductions put the analysts’ forecast below the Street’s view of $3.58 and $4.04, respectively, the report showed. The brokerage said Wall Street’s 13% EPS growth […]
Starbucks’ Traffic Headwinds Still in ‘Early Innings,’ Oppenheimer Says Read Post »