Dernières nouvelles pour Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) Stock

Starbucks

Starbucks is one of the most widely recognized restaurant brands in the world, operating more than 40,000 stores across more than 80 countries as of the end of fiscal 2024. The firm operates in three segments: North America, international markets, and channel development (grocery and ready-to-drink beverage). The coffee chain generates revenue from company-operated stores, royalties, sales of equipment and products to license partners, ready-to-drink beverages, packaged coffee sales, and single-serve products.

Starbucks Corp

<h3 class="wp-block-heading">New On The Block</h3>
<ul>
<li>Starbucks (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SBUX#NASDAQ">SBUX</a>) is looking to sell a stake in its Chinese operations. Same-store sales in China fell 14% last quarter, with the Seattle-based coffee retailer seeking partnerships to adapt to tough <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/asset-sales/24/11/42117962/starbucks-eyes-stake-sale-in-china-amid-fierce-competition-and-falling-sales">economic and competitive pressures</a>.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Bankruptcy Block</h3>
<ul>
<li>Snack producer Hearthside Food Solutions went bankrupt. The private equity-owned company looks to offload the $1.9 billion in debt accumulated under the ownership of Partners Group Holding AG and Charlesbank Capital Partners. The two firms bought Hearthside for more than $2.4 billion. Assets and liabilities hover between $1 billion and $10 billion. Last year, bankrupt private equity portfolio companies in the U.S. <a href="https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/news-insights/latest-news-headlines/private-equity-portfolio-companies-on-track-for-most-bankruptcies-since-2020-74886821">outpaced</a> the number of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/20/10/17861269/bankruptcy-update-ruby-tuesday-files-chapter-11-while-progress-slows-for-jcpenney">bankruptcies in 2020</a>. It remains to be seen whether 2024 will be worse.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Northvolt <a href="https://northvolt.com/articles/peter-carlsson-steps-aside/">filed</a> for bankruptcy with debt of $5.8 billion. Recall how the Swedish battery maker, which supplies Volkswagen AG&nbsp;(OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VWAGY#OTC">VWAGY</a>) and&nbsp;Bayerische Motoren Werke AG&nbsp;(OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BMWYY#OTC">BMWYY</a>), bargained with banks to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/03/31506581/volkswagen-bmw-battery-supplier-northvolt-eyes-raising-5b-via-debt">raise debt last year</a>. Now, it&#8217;s hoping to restructure under U.S. Chapter 11.</li>
</ul>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/24/11/42024210/benzinga-bulls-and-bears-tesla-disney-gold-and-hedge-funds-project-bitcoin-to-hit-100k-150k">Benzinga Bulls And Bears: Tesla, Disney, Gold — And Hedge Funds Project Bitcoin To Hit $100K-$150K</a>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Updates From The Block</h3>
<ul>
<li>Google&#8216;s $2-billion <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/23/10/35474706/googles-ai-ambitions-grow-with-major-investment-in-openai-rival-anthropic">investment</a> in Anthropic is in jeopardy, according to <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-11-21/us-justice-department-seeks-to-unwind-google-s-anthropic-deal">Bloomberg</a>. Anthropic is a Jeff Bezos-backed rival to artificial intelligence (AI) innovator OpenAI. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) recommended in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/11/42105079/googles-unlawful-behavior-stifles-market-entry-for-rivals-doj-says-alphabet-must-sell-chrome-to-end-search-monopoly">a court filing Wednesday</a> that Alphabet Inc&#8216;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) Google divest its Chrome browser to dismantle its monopoly on online search. It doesn&#8217;t end there. Google should be barred from doing any deals with companies that control where consumers search for information, regulators say. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/11/42123646/google-anthropic-deal-in-jeopardy-as-us-justice-department-looks-to-snap-online-search-monopoly">That includes AI products</a>.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Ricky Williams&#8216; Highsman merges with hemp brand Frozen Fields, forming Top Seed Inc. The partnership blends cannabis and hemp sectors, leveraging R&amp;D to enhance products <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/11/42097662/ricky-williams-highsman-merges-with-hemp-brand-frozen-fields">and control supply chains</a>.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>MakeMyTrip acquires Happay from CRED. The deal is expected to enhance corporate travel and expense management solutions in India. Happay&#8217;s team will integrate with MakeMyTrip, supporting <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/travel/24/11/42039458/makemytrip-agrees-to-acquire-happay-bolstering-its-arsenal-for-corporate-travel-solutions">over 900 clients post-acquisition</a>.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Amcor plc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMCR#NYSE">AMCR</a>) and Berry Global Group, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BERY#NYSE">BERY</a>) agreed to merge in an all-stock transaction, with the deal valuing Berry stock <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/24/11/42069248/amcor-and-berry-seal-the-deal-73-59-per-share-merger-to-forge-packaging-powerhouse">at $73.59 per share</a>.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Nippon Steel (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NISTF#OTC">NISTF</a>) executives have traveled to Pennsylvania to garner support for their $15 billion acquisition bid for U.S. Steel (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/X#NYSE">X</a>). The Japanese steel giant is encountering political resistance in Washington. Takahiro Mori, vice-chair of Nippon Steel, arrived in Pittsburgh on Saturday to advocate for the acquisition. The deal faces opposition from both President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump, who prefer U.S. Steel to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/11/42056111/nippon-steel-execs-rally-support-in-pennsylvania-amid-pushback-on-us-steel-takeover">remain under American ownership</a>.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Notes From The Block</h3>
Joshua Robinson, co-founder of Darwin Financial Company, announced a $55-million financing deal with INYOAG LLC. The funds will help develop a solar-powered mine in Inyo County, California where there are proven reserves of silver, lead, zinc, tungsten, and copper. Here&#8217;s our conversation with Robinson:
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">BZ: What is the deal structure between Darwin Financial and base metals miner INYOAG? </h4>
Robinson: The deal structure is a $55M project financing package split into three components: $17.5 million and $12.5 million in six-year notes tied to sulfide and oxide production respectively, plus a $20-million conditional equity commitment that only triggers if the mine hits $10 million in monthly revenue. We get 17% of gross revenues from both production tracks, structured through secure lockbox arrangements. It&#8217;s not a straight equity investment, we specifically designed it this way to provide further upside exposure.
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Are you looking for additional investors/joint venture partners? </h4>
Yes, we&#8217;ve deliberately structured this to create multiple layers of upside potential, which is pretty unique in the mining space. We&#8217;ve created a hybrid model that offers both near-term cash flow from production and significant expansion potential. We&#8217;re already seeing interest from established mining players, but we&#8217;re particularly excited about bringing new investors into the space who understand the strategic value of critical minerals.
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">What are the downsides to depending on foreign sources of critical minerals?</h4>
China&#8217;s recent actions really highlight the urgency here. They&#8217;ve already implemented export controls on germanium and gallium, and just added antimony to that list. This isn&#8217;t theoretical anymore, it&#8217;s actively happening. We need to build regional resilience in our supply chains, particularly for these minerals that are crucial for defense and technology. The Darwin Mine gives us a unique opportunity to establish a domestic source for multiple critical minerals in a single asset, which is rare to find.
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Will the mine be powered by solar? </h4>
The 100MW facility wouldn&#8217;t just power the mine. It would generate significant excess clean energy that we can sell back to the grid. What&#8217;s particularly interesting is that we can develop utility-scale energy storage systems using minerals we&#8217;re already producing. It creates a virtuous cycle where our mining operations directly support clean energy deployment
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">What are your 2025 goals?</h4>
For 2025, our key goals are reaching 300 tons per day on sulfide production within six months and 200 tons per day on oxide within nine months of funding. That puts us at $ 10 million in monthly revenue, which then triggers the deeper mine development program.
For last week&#8217;s Deal Dispatch, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/ma/24/11/42025534/deal-dispatch-shell-unilever-and-more-are-on-the-sell-side-the-onion-makes-alex-jones-cry-foul">click here</a>.
Now Read: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/11/41699259/nvidia-rides-ai-wave-to-replace-intel-on-dow-jones-industrial-average-ending-its-25-year-run">Nvidia Rides AI Wave To Replace Intel On Dow Jones Industrial Average, Ending Its 25-Year Run</a></li>
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Image: Benzinga

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Deal Dispatch: Starbucks Considers China Sale, Private Equity Bankrupts Snack Company, Darwin Financial Talks Mining

Starbucks Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SBUX#NASDAQ">SBUX</a>) is evaluating options for its Chinese operations, including the potential sale of a stake in the business.
The coffee chain has consulted advisers on strategies to expand in China and has gauged interest from potential investors, including local private equity firms, Bloomberg cites familiar <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-11-21/starbucks-is-said-to-consider-selling-stake-in-chinese-business?sref=TBDibEcD" rel="noreferrer noopener">sources</a>. Possible buyers include Chinese conglomerates or regional companies with relevant industry expertise.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/11/42109965/baidus-q3-earnings-revenue-slides-weak-online-ads-market-impact-margins" rel="noreferrer noopener">Baidu&#8217;s Q3 Earnings: Revenue Slides, Weak Online Ads Market Impact Margins</a>
Starbucks is seeking strategic partnerships in China as it grapples with declining sales in the region. Once its fastest-growing market, China now faces economic headwinds, including a property slump, employment uncertainties, and slower consumer spending, SCMP <a target="_blank" href="https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3287574/starbucks-seeks-strategic-partnership-find-perk-china-amid-brewing-price-war?module=perpetual_scroll_0&amp;pgtype=article" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports</a>.
The company faces mounting pressure from activist investor Elliott Investment Management, which has urged a review of its Chinese business. Other Western brands have made similar moves, such as McDonald&#8217;s Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCD#NYSE">MCD</a>) and Yum! Brands Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YUM#NYSE">YUM</a>), which sold stakes in their Chinese operations to private equity investors to drive growth and adapt to local market demands.
China, Starbucks&#8217; second-largest market, generated approximately $3 billion in revenue last year, with the store count increasing by 12%. Despite this growth, Starbucks is contending with stiff competition from local rivals like Luckin Coffee Inc, which has rapidly gained market share with more affordable offerings.
Starbucks saw its same-store sales in China shrink by 14% in the fiscal fourth quarter ending September, surpassing its global sales decline of 9%.
Rising competition from cost-effective rivals such as Luckin Coffee and Cotti Coffee has further strained its position, as these companies attract budget-conscious consumers with significantly lower-priced offerings.
Brian Niccol, who became CEO in August 2024, acknowledged the challenges, citing an &#8220;extreme&#8221; competitive environment and macroeconomic pressures.
Starbucks&#8217; signature 27-yuan ($3.70) Americano is losing traction against Luckin Coffee&#8217;s brews, priced at 11.9 yuan, and Cotti Coffee&#8217;s offerings, which initially cost 9.9 yuan before a modest price hike to reduce cash burn.
Cotti Coffee, founded by two former Luckin executives in 2022, has rapidly expanded to 10,000 locations across 28 markets, creating intense competition in China&#8217;s coffee industry.
Meanwhile, Starbucks operated 7,596 stores in China as of September, accounting for 19% of its global footprint.
Starbucks is also contending with the growing popularity of fruit-infused teas and juices, which is increasing competition for consumer spending.
In October, TD Cowen analyst Andrew M. Charles <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/10/41661427/starbucks-faces-sales-slump-but-analysts-see-silver-lining-with-new-ceos-efficiency" rel="noreferrer noopener">reiterated a Buy rating</a> on Starbucks with a price target of $110, emphasizing its potential for over 5% same-store sales growth in North America but noted delays in menu innovation due to SKU simplification efforts.
Wedbush analyst Nick Setyan maintained a Neutral rating for Starbucks but reduced the price target to $95, citing limited near-term visibility on revenue and earnings. Setyan highlighted CEO Brian Niccol&#8217;s focus on reducing wait times to under four minutes while maintaining the coffeehouse experience as a critical improvement. The company plans to eliminate alternative dairy upcharges, impacting U.S. margins by 1%, and will reduce promotional offers, prioritizing marketing efforts and store remodels.
Price Action: SBUX stock is up 1.57% at $99.80 at last check on Thursday.
Also Read:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/price-target/24/11/42098028/qualcomms-shift-from-handsets-to-ai-and-automotive-wins-analysts-confidence" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Qualcomm&#8217;s Shift From Handsets To AI And Automotive Wins Analysts&#8217; Confidence</a></li>
</ul>
Photo via Shutterstock

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Starbucks Eyes Stake Sale in China Amid Fierce Competition and Falling Sales

Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DAL#NYSE">DAL</a>) announced on Tuesday that it will soon serve Shake Shack, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHAK#NYSE">SHAK</a>) burgers to its first-class <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42087211/delta-charts-its-path-to-high-margins-and-shareholder-gains-at-2024-investor-day">passengers on select flights. </a>
What Happened: Delta&#8217;s <a href="https://news.delta.com/now-boarding-delta-serve-shake-shack-burgers-flights">partnership</a> with Shake Shack will begin on flights out of Boston on Dec. 1. 
First-class customers on routes over 900 miles may pre-select a Shake Shack cheeseburger as their meal option. Delta said it has plans to expand the offering to other U.S. markets throughout 2025. 
"A delicious cheeseburger is an iconic comfort food – our customers know that which is why burgers are one of the top ordered menu items we offer, and we're thrilled to elevate the offering with Shake Shack," said Delta managing director Stephanie Laster. 
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">.<a href="https://twitter.com/Delta?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Delta</a>'s first-of-its-kind partnership with Shake Shack will begin on flights out of Boston on Dec. 1, with plans for expansion to other U.S. markets throughout 2025.<a href="https://t.co/rKoNsij02K">https://t.co/rKoNsij02K</a>
&mdash; Delta News Hub (@DeltaNewsHub) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeltaNewsHub/status/1858875363721400601?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Read More:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/travel/24/11/42014787/delta-united-alaska-air-are-top-analyst-picks-in-airline-sector"> Delta, United, Alaska Air Are Top Analyst Picks In Airline Sector</a>
Delta has a separate partnership with Shake Shack's founder Danny Meyer and his Union Square Hospitality Group (USGH). Meals from Union Square Events, USHG's catering arm, are available on select Delta flights out of JFK airport.&nbsp;
Why It Matters: Airlines of <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/airlines-airports/old-airline-meals">yesteryear</a> would typically serve up lavish meals to passengers, including lobster, roasted chicken and foie grois. Today, it&#8217;s fast-food cheeseburgers. 
Still, it&#8217;s enough to convince investment bank Goldman Sachs analysts to praise Delta&#8217;s penchant for catering to first-class passengers. A move like this is key to the carrier&#8217;s recent recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions, analysts say. 
Delta's First Class offerings include priority check-in and boarding, free earbuds and in-flight entertainment, luxury bedding, as well as complimentary Starbucks Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SBUX#NASDAQ">SBUX</a>) coffee, wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks. 
Other perks include free Wi-Fi, charging outlets, gourmet dining options, reclining seats and additional legroom. 
Goldman Sachs&#8217; Catherine O&#8217;Brien expects airlines exposed to premium and corporate demand to outperform other airlines that do not offer as many options and upgrades. 
Price Action: According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/?gspk=YWRhbWVja2VydDUzMzY&amp;gsxid=zBMR4PKmcgBw">Benzinga Pro</a>, Delta Air Lines shares are down 0.06% at $64.71 at the time of publication Wednesday. 
Read Next:&nbsp;
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/24/11/42044642/trump-appears-frustrated-as-elon-musk-chimes-in-on-treasury-secretary-adds-more-names-to-a-list-of-potential-picks">Trump Appears &#8216;Frustrated&#8217; As Elon Musk Chimes In On Treasury Secretary, Adds More Names To Short List&nbsp;</a></li>
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Image: Shutterstock&nbsp;

Travel

Restaurants

General

SHAK

Delta Will Serve Shake Shack Burgers As Airline Continues Catering To First-Class

This whale alert can help traders discover the next big trading opportunities.
Whales are entities with large sums of money and we track their transactions here at Benzinga on our options activity scanner.
Traders often look for circumstances when the market estimation of an option diverges away from its normal worth. Abnormal amounts of trading activity could push option prices to hyperbolic or underperforming levels. 
Here's the list of options activity happening in today's session: 
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>TSLA</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>11/22/24</td>
<td>$345.00</td>
<td>$28.3K</td>
<td>8.9K</td>
<td>39.2K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AMZN</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>11/22/24</td>
<td>$205.00</td>
<td>$39.6K</td>
<td>14.8K</td>
<td>38.4K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NIO</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$6.00</td>
<td>$118.0K</td>
<td>65.9K</td>
<td>10.6K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>GM</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>11/22/24</td>
<td>$55.00</td>
<td>$28.8K</td>
<td>937</td>
<td>2.2K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>EBAY</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$62.50</td>
<td>$630.0K</td>
<td>97</td>
<td>901</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SBUX</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$125.00</td>
<td>$44.7K</td>
<td>2.6K</td>
<td>251</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>GME</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$125.00</td>
<td>$29.9K</td>
<td>2.4K</td>
<td>170</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AAP</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$40.00</td>
<td>$29.4K</td>
<td>1.1K</td>
<td>158</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PTON</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/15/27</td>
<td>$10.00</td>
<td>$31.2K</td>
<td>360</td>
<td>102</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>HD</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$410.00</td>
<td>$27.4K</td>
<td>1.3K</td>
<td>88</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h2>Explanation</h2>
These bullet-by-bullet explanations have been constructed using the accompanying table. 
• For TSLA (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be bullish, expiring in 3 day(s) on November 22, 2024. This event was a transfer of 30 contract(s) at a $345.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $28.3K, with a price of $945.0 per contract. There were 8930 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 39283 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For AMZN (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bearish, expiring in 3 day(s) on November 22, 2024. This event was a transfer of 200 contract(s) at a $205.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 10 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $39.6K, with a price of $198.0 per contract. There were 14833 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 38469 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For NIO (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NIO#NYSE">NIO</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 59 day(s) on January 17, 2025. This event was a transfer of 5000 contract(s) at a $6.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 29 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $118.0K, with a price of $24.0 per contract. There were 65971 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 10629 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding GM (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GM#NYSE">GM</a>), we observe a put option sweep with bullish sentiment. It expires in 3 day(s) on November 22, 2024. Parties traded 545 contract(s) at a $55.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 4 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $28.8K, with a price of $53.0 per contract. There were 937 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 2276 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding EBAY (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EBAY#NASDAQ">EBAY</a>), we observe a put option trade with bullish sentiment. It expires in 423 day(s) on January 16, 2026. Parties traded 900 contract(s) at a $62.50 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $630.0K, with a price of $700.0 per contract. There were 97 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 901 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding SBUX (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SBUX#NASDAQ">SBUX</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 213 day(s) on June 20, 2025. Parties traded 250 contract(s) at a $125.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 27 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $44.7K, with a price of $179.0 per contract. There were 2610 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 251 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding GME (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GME#NYSE">GME</a>), we observe a put option trade with bearish sentiment. It expires in 423 day(s) on January 16, 2026. Parties traded 3 contract(s) at a $125.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $29.9K, with a price of $9985.0 per contract. There were 2403 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 170 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding AAP (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAP#NYSE">AAP</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 122 day(s) on March 21, 2025. Parties traded 54 contract(s) at a $40.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 4 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $29.4K, with a price of $545.0 per contract. There were 1187 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 158 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For PTON (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PTON#NASDAQ">PTON</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be bullish, expiring in 787 day(s) on January 15, 2027. This event was a transfer of 100 contract(s) at a $10.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $31.2K, with a price of $312.0 per contract. There were 360 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 102 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding HD (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HD#NYSE">HD</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bullish sentiment. It expires in 59 day(s) on January 17, 2025. Parties traded 21 contract(s) at a $410.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 6 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $27.4K, with a price of $1305.0 per contract. There were 1332 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 88 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
Options Alert Terminology 
 - Call Contracts: The right to buy shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Put Contracts: The right to sell shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Expiration Date: When the contract expires. One must act on the contract by this date if one wants to use it. 
 - Premium/Option Price: The price of the contract. 
For more information, visit our <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/blog/how-to-understand-option-alerts/">Guide to Understanding Options Alerts</a> or read <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/options">more news on unusual options activity</a>. 
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Options

AMZN

EBAY

PTON

TSLA

10 Consumer Discretionary Stocks With Whale Alerts In Today's Session

Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bearish stance on Starbucks (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SBUX#NASDAQ">SBUX</a>).
And retail traders should know.
We noticed this today when the trades showed up on publicly available options history that we track here at Benzinga.
Whether these are institutions or just wealthy individuals, we don't know. But when something this big happens with SBUX, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen.
So how do we know what these investors just did? 
Today, <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/?utm_source=insights">Benzinga</a>'s options scanner spotted 10 uncommon options trades for Starbucks.
This isn't normal.
The overall sentiment of these big-money traders is split between 40% bullish and 50%, bearish.
Out of all of the special options we uncovered, 6 are puts, for a total amount of $1,388,257, and 4 are calls, for a total amount of $119,665.
<h3>What's The Price Target?</h3>
Analyzing the Volume and Open Interest in these contracts, it seems that the big players have been eyeing a price window from $82.5 to $145.0 for Starbucks during the past quarter. 
<h3>Insights into Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
Assessing the volume and open interest is a strategic step in options trading. These metrics shed light on the liquidity and investor interest in Starbucks's options at specified strike prices. The forthcoming data visualizes the fluctuation in volume and open interest for both calls and puts, linked to Starbucks's substantial trades, within a strike price spectrum from $82.5 to $145.0 over the preceding 30 days.
<h3>Starbucks Option Volume And Open Interest Over Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1731951025_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Biggest Options Spotted:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>SBUX</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>07/18/25</td>
<td>$8.25</td>
<td>$7.7</td>
<td>$8.24</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$1.2M</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>1.5K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SBUX</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$5.05</td>
<td>$5.0</td>
<td>$5.05</td>
<td>$97.50</td>
<td>$37.8K</td>
<td>5.8K</td>
<td>78</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SBUX</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$8.0</td>
<td>$7.9</td>
<td>$8.0</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$33.6K</td>
<td>1.2K</td>
<td>42</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SBUX</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$7.95</td>
<td>$7.85</td>
<td>$7.95</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$33.3K</td>
<td>1.2K</td>
<td>84</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SBUX</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>06/18/26</td>
<td>$12.8</td>
<td>$11.9</td>
<td>$12.4</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$31.0K</td>
<td>45</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Starbucks</h3>
Starbucks is one of the most widely recognized restaurant brands in the world, operating more than 40,000 stores across more than 80 countries as of the end of fiscal 2024. The firm operates in three segments: North America, international markets, and channel development (grocery and ready-to-drink beverage). The coffee chain generates revenue from company-operated stores, royalties, sales of equipment and products to license partners, ready-to-drink beverages, packaged coffee sales, and single-serve products.
In light of the recent options history for Starbucks, it's now appropriate to focus on the company itself. We aim to explore its current performance.
<h3>Present Market Standing of Starbucks</h3>
<ul>
<li>Trading volume stands at 1,850,383, with SBUX's price down by -0.01%, positioned at $98.41.</li>
<li>RSI indicators show the stock to be may be approaching overbought.</li>
<li>Earnings announcement expected in 71 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Expert Opinions on Starbucks</h3>
5 market experts have recently issued ratings for this stock, with a consensus target price of $98.0.
Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?
20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Stifel has decided to maintain their Buy rating on Starbucks, which currently sits at a price target of $110. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Citigroup has decided to maintain their Neutral rating on Starbucks, which currently sits at a price target of $96. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Barclays keeps a Overweight rating on Starbucks with a target price of $108. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Citigroup continues to hold a Neutral rating for Starbucks, targeting a price of $99. 
&#x2A; Reflecting concerns, an analyst from Redburn Atlantic lowers its rating to Sell with a new price target of $77.
Options trading presents higher risks and potential rewards. Astute traders manage these risks by continually educating themselves, adapting their strategies, monitoring multiple indicators, and keeping a close eye on market movements. Stay informed about the latest Starbucks options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>.

Markets

Decoding Starbucks's Options Activity: What's the Big Picture?

Starbucks's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SBUX#NYSE">SBUX</a>) short percent of float has fallen 11.2% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 25.17 million shares sold short, which is 2.22% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 2.94 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Starbucks Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1731689169_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Starbucks has declined since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to rise in the near-term but traders should be aware that less shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Starbucks's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Starbucks's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 10.20%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Short Sellers

Short Ideas

Trading Ideas

(SBUX) - Analyzing Starbucks's Short Interest

AVGO

LRCX

TRGP

Viking Fund Management 13F Shows Increased Stake In Broadcom From 16,510 To 162,100 Shares; Xcel Energy From 122,400 To 162,400 Shares; Chevron From 58,000 To 70,000 Shares; Starbucks From 87,000 To 105,000 Shares; Lam Research From 4,000 To 10,000 Shares; Pfizer From 286,000 To 344,000 Shares; Targa Resources From 81,000 To 60,000 Shares; Kinder Morgan From 50,000 To 75,000 Shares

This whale alert can help traders discover the next big trading opportunities.
Whales are entities with large sums of money and we track their transactions here at Benzinga on our options activity scanner.
Traders often look for circumstances when the market estimation of an option diverges away from its normal worth. Abnormal amounts of trading activity could push option prices to hyperbolic or underperforming levels. 
Below are some instances of options activity happening in the Consumer Discretionary sector: 
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>TSLA</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>11/15/24</td>
<td>$330.00</td>
<td>$37.0K</td>
<td>12.8K</td>
<td>47.5K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SBUX</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$90.00</td>
<td>$60.8K</td>
<td>7.7K</td>
<td>5.7K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>URBN</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>11/29/24</td>
<td>$40.00</td>
<td>$49.7K</td>
<td>2.6K</td>
<td>1.4K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AMZN</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$220.00</td>
<td>$58.0K</td>
<td>14.3K</td>
<td>1.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PDD</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$150.00</td>
<td>$71.2K</td>
<td>34.1K</td>
<td>610</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PVH</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
<td>$36.4K</td>
<td>226</td>
<td>245</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RIVN</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>12/19/25</td>
<td>$5.00</td>
<td>$29.6K</td>
<td>949</td>
<td>203</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BABA</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$90.00</td>
<td>$85.5K</td>
<td>4.8K</td>
<td>81</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>HD</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>12/20/24</td>
<td>$410.00</td>
<td>$57.8K</td>
<td>323</td>
<td>57</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ABNB</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>08/15/25</td>
<td>$140.00</td>
<td>$81.1K</td>
<td>134</td>
<td>55</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h2>Explanation</h2>
These itemized elaborations have been created using the accompanying table. 
• For TSLA (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be bullish, expiring in 2 day(s) on November 15, 2024. This event was a transfer of 36 contract(s) at a $330.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $37.0K, with a price of $1030.0 per contract. There were 12822 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 47531 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding SBUX (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SBUX#NASDAQ">SBUX</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 65 day(s) on January 17, 2025. Parties traded 59 contract(s) at a $90.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 35 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $60.8K, with a price of $1037.0 per contract. There were 7716 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 5771 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding URBN (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/URBN#NASDAQ">URBN</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 16 day(s) on November 29, 2024. Parties traded 216 contract(s) at a $40.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 103 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $49.7K, with a price of $230.0 per contract. There were 2642 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1487 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For AMZN (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be bearish, expiring in 100 day(s) on February 21, 2025. This event was a transfer of 50 contract(s) at a $220.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $58.0K, with a price of $1160.0 per contract. There were 14371 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1095 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding PDD (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PDD#NASDAQ">PDD</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 65 day(s) on January 17, 2025. Parties traded 437 contract(s) at a $150.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 27 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $71.2K, with a price of $163.0 per contract. There were 34196 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 610 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For PVH (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PVH#NYSE">PVH</a>), we notice a put option trade that happens to be bullish, expiring in 128 day(s) on March 21, 2025. This event was a transfer of 40 contract(s) at a $105.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $36.4K, with a price of $910.0 per contract. There were 226 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 245 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding RIVN (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RIVN#NASDAQ">RIVN</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bullish sentiment. It expires in 401 day(s) on December 19, 2025. Parties traded 37 contract(s) at a $5.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 17 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $29.6K, with a price of $800.0 per contract. There were 949 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 203 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding BABA (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>), we observe a call option trade with bearish sentiment. It expires in 429 day(s) on January 16, 2026. Parties traded 52 contract(s) at a $90.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $85.5K, with a price of $1645.0 per contract. There were 4804 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 81 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For HD (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HD#NYSE">HD</a>), we notice a put option trade that happens to be bearish, expiring in 37 day(s) on December 20, 2024. This event was a transfer of 50 contract(s) at a $410.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $57.8K, with a price of $1157.0 per contract. There were 323 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 57 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For ABNB (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ABNB#NASDAQ">ABNB</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bearish, expiring in 275 day(s) on August 15, 2025. This event was a transfer of 55 contract(s) at a $140.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 12 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $81.1K, with a price of $1475.0 per contract. There were 134 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 55 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
Options Alert Terminology 
 - Call Contracts: The right to buy shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Put Contracts: The right to sell shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Expiration Date: When the contract expires. One must act on the contract by this date if one wants to use it. 
 - Premium/Option Price: The price of the contract. 
For more information, visit our <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/blog/how-to-understand-option-alerts/">Guide to Understanding Options Alerts</a> or read <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/options">more about unusual options activity</a>. 
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

ABNB

BABA

Citigourp Global Markets 2% Protected Notes Linked To The Djia

RIVN

URBN

10 Consumer Discretionary Stocks Whale Activity In Today's Session

Top Wall Street analysts changed their outlook on these top names. For a complete view of all analyst rating changes, including upgrades and downgrades, please see our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings">analyst ratings page</a>.
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst/58c6ab8cb85e9300015f1adb/richard-close">Canaccord Genuity analyst Richard Close</a> downgraded the rating for Doximity, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DOCS#NYSE">DOCS</a>) from Buy to Hold but raised the price target from $40 to $60. Doximity shares closed at $58.05 on Tuesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/DOCS/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Ladenburg Thalmann analyst Glenn Mattson downgraded SoundHound AI, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SOUN#NASDAQ">SOUN</a>) from Buy to Neutral and maintained the price target of $7. SoundHound AI shares closed at $7.56 on Tuesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SOUN/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst/60acdb90c878010001d55eee/jonathan-wolleben">Phillip Securities analyst Jonathan Wolleben</a> downgraded the rating for Spotify Technology S.A. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPOT#NYSE">SPOT</a>) from Buy to Accumulate but raised the price target from $420 to $485. Spotify shares closed at $419.39 on Tuesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SPOT/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Redburn Atlantic analyst Edward Lewis downgraded Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SBUX#NASDAQ">SBUX</a>) from Neutral to Sell and lowered the price target from $84 to $77. Starbucks shares closed at $98.80 on Tuesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SBUX/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Evercore ISI Group analyst David Raso downgraded the rating for Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CAT#NYSE">CAT</a>) from In-Line to Underperform but increased the price target from $321 to $365. Caterpillar shares closed at $393.01 on Tuesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CAT/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
</ul>
Considering buying CAT stock? Here&#8217;s what analysts think: 
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="559" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/13084103/image-134-1024x559.png" alt="" class="wp-image-645289" style="width:681px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/13084103/image-134-1024x559.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/13084103/image-134-300x164.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/13084103/image-134-768x419.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/13084103/image-134.png 1212w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
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</ul>

Downgrades

Pre-Market Outlook

Analyst Ratings

DOCS

SOUN

SPOT

This Caterpillar Analyst Turns Bearish; Here Are Top 5 Downgrades For Wednesday

Top Wall Street analysts changed their outlook on these top names. For a complete view of all analyst rating changes, including upgrades and downgrades, please see our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings">analyst ratings page</a>.
<ul>
<li>Piper Sandler boosted the price target for Shopify Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHOP#NYSE">SHOP</a>) from $67 to $94. Piper Sandler analyst Clarke Jeffries maintained a Neutral rating. Shopify shares closed at $108.92 on Tuesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SHOP/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>Needham cut the price target for Heron Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HRTX#NASDAQ">HRTX</a>) from $5 to $4. Needham analyst Serge Belanger maintained a Buy rating. Heron Therapeutics shares closed at $1.28 on Tuesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/HRTX/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Goldman Sachs raised Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LYV#NYSE">LYV</a>) price target from $132 to $148. Goldman Sachs analyst Stephen Laszczyk maintained a Buy rating. Live Nation shares settled at $129.67 on Tuesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/LYV/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Piper Sandler raised Shift4 Payments, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FOUR#NYSE">FOUR</a>) price target from $93 to $120. Piper Sandler analyst Clarke Jeffries maintained an Overweight rating. Shift4 Payments shares closed at $99.12 on Tuesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/FOUR/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>Phillip Securities boosted Spotify Technology S.A. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPOT#NYSE">SPOT</a>) price target from $420 to $485. Phillip Securities analyst Jonathan Wolleben downgraded the stock from Buy to Accumulate. Spotify shares closed at $419.39 on Tuesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SPOT/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Redburn Atlantic cut Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SBUX#NASDAQ">SBUX</a>) price target from $84 to $77. Redburn Atlantic analyst Edward Lewis downgraded the stock from Neutral to Sell. Starbucks shares closed at $98.80 on Tuesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SBUX/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>HC Wainwright &amp; Co. increased the price target for MAG Silver Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MAG#NYSE">MAG</a>) from $18 to $20. HC Wainwright &amp; Co. analyst Heiko Ihle maintained a Buy rating. MAG Silver shares settled at $15.22 on Tuesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MAG/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Evercore ISI Group boosted Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CAT#NYSE">CAT</a>) price target from $321 to $365. Evercore ISI Group analyst David Raso downgraded the stock from In-Line to Underperform. Caterpillar shares closed at $393.01 on Tuesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CAT/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Baird raised the price target for Natera, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NTRA#NASDAQ">NTRA</a>) from $120 to $160. Baird analyst Catherine Ramsey maintained an Outperform rating. Natera shares closed at $135.12 on Tuesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/NTRA/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Needham increased Dayforce Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DAY#NYSE">DAY</a>) price target from $82 to $95. Needham analyst Scott Berg maintained a Buy rating. Dayforce shares closed at $78.96 on Tuesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/DAY/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
</ul>
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Price Target

FOUR

HRTX

NTRA

SHOP

Starbucks To $77? Here Are 10 Top Analyst Forecasts For Wednesday

Redburn Atlantic analyst Edward Lewis downgrades Starbucks (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SBUX#NASDAQ">SBUX</a>) from Neutral to Sell and lowers the price target from $84 to $77.

Redburn Atlantic Downgrades Starbucks to Sell, Lowers Price Target to $77

<a href="https://about.doordash.com/en-us/news/starbucks-app-gets-delivery-boost-from-doordash">https://about.doordash.com/en-us/news/starbucks-app-gets-delivery-boost-from-doordash</a>
As of November 11, customers in the United States and Canada (excluding Quebec) can use the Starbucks app to order delivery, powered by DoorDash. Delivery within the Starbucks app offers convenient and seamless delivery to Starbucks customers virtually wherever they are, building on previous partnership news made in <a href="https://about.starbucks.com/press/2023/starbucks-and-doordash-set-to-expand-delivery-partnership-nationwide/">January</a> and <a href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en-ca/stories/2023/starbucks-and-doordash-launch-delivery-partnership-in-canada/">March</a> of 2023, bringing Starbucks to DoorDash's leading marketplace of consumers in the US and Canada. With this, Starbucks customers can now order delivery from both the Starbucks and DoorDash apps.

DASH

Starbucks App Gets Delivery Boost From DoorDash; Starbucks App Launches Delivery, Powered By DoorDash, Across The U.S. And Canada

Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMG#NYSE">CMG</a>) officially named Scott Boatwright as its permanent CEO, months after Brian Niccol's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/08/40376234/chipotle-ceo-brian-niccol-jumps-ship-to-starbucks-6-analysts-weigh-implications-und">exit to Starbucks Corp</a> (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SBUX#NASDAQ">SBUX</a>).
Boatwright, who joined Chipotle in 2017 and has served as interim CEO since August, is now tasked with taking the burrito giant to new heights, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/11/11/chipotle-mexican-grill-names-scott-boatwright-as-permanent-ceo.html">reported</a> CNBC. 
Known for his role in helping the company recover after the 2015 E. coli crisis, Boatwright is a familiar face with a proven track record.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Big Plans Ahead For Chipotle</h1>
Boatwright's vision for Chipotle is clear: transform the company into a "global lifestyle brand" and ramp up expansion with a target of 7,000 restaurants across North America. 
Under Boatwright's leadership, Chipotle has made strides in integrating new technology to improve customer experience and streamline operations. These innovations, coupled with his focus on operational efficiency, could help Chipotle stay competitive in the fast-casual industry, which is increasingly driven by tech.
As the company faces challenges such as weak consumer demand and higher menu prices, Boatwright's leadership will be crucial in navigating these hurdles while striving to grow Chipotle's footprint.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/41710986/locked-in-overheated-battle-with-its-clone-at-home-luckin-eyes-expansion-in-u-s">Locked In Overheated Battle With Its Clone At Home, Luckin Eyes Expansion In U.S.</a>
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Bullish Signals On The Horizon For Chipotle Stock Investors</h1>
Investors are reacting positively to Boatwright's permanent appointment. After a rocky period following Niccol's departure, Chipotle's stock has bounced back with a 14% rise, signaling that the company's recovery is on track.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="627" height="452" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/12104332/Screenshot-2024-11-12-at-8.15.20-PM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-643172" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/12104332/Screenshot-2024-11-12-at-8.15.20-PM.png 627w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/12104332/Screenshot-2024-11-12-at-8.15.20-PM-300x216.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 627px) 100vw, 627px" /></figure>
Chipotle's stock is on an upward trajectory. Trading at $60.48, Chipotle stock is trading way above its eight-, 20- and 50-day simple moving averages, with bullish signals across multiple timeframes.
This suggests that Chipotle is in a strong bullish trend, which could continue if the company executes its growth strategy.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Bill Ackman&#8217;s Bet On Chipotle</h1>
Bill Ackman's Pershing Square Capital remains a big believer in Chipotle, with the stock commanding nearly <a href="https://whalewisdom.com/filer/pershing-square-capital-management-l-p">17%</a> of its portfolio.
Ackman's backing signals confidence in Boatwright's leadership and Chipotle's potential for future growth, making the company an attractive stock for those looking for long-term upside.
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</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Long Ideas

Technicals

Management

Chipotle's New Boss: Can CEO Scott Boatwright Spice Up CMG?

WIIM

Starbucks shares are trading higher. TD Cowen reiterated a Buy rating on the stock.

TD Cowen analyst Andrew Charles reiterates Starbucks (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SBUX#NASDAQ">SBUX</a>) with a Buy and maintains $110 price target.

Reiteration

TD Cowen Reiterates Buy on Starbucks, Maintains $110 Price Target

Whales with a lot of money to spend have taken a noticeably bearish stance on Starbucks.
Looking at options history for Starbucks (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SBUX#NASDAQ">SBUX</a>) we detected 8 trades.
If we consider the specifics of each trade, it is accurate to state that 25% of the investors opened trades with bullish expectations and 50% with bearish.
From the overall spotted trades, 3 are puts, for a total amount of $773,680 and 5, calls, for a total amount of $488,485.
<h3>Expected Price Movements</h3>
Analyzing the Volume and Open Interest in these contracts, it seems that the big players have been eyeing a price window from $75.0 to $110.0 for Starbucks during the past quarter. 
<h3>Analyzing Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
Looking at the volume and open interest is a powerful move while trading options. This data can help you track the liquidity and interest for Starbucks's options for a given strike price. Below, we can observe the evolution of the volume and open interest of calls and puts, respectively, for all of Starbucks's whale trades within a strike price range from $75.0 to $110.0 in the last 30 days. 
<h3>Starbucks Option Activity Analysis: Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1730830563_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Significant Options Trades Detected:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>SBUX</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$2.43</td>
<td>$2.38</td>
<td>$2.42</td>
<td>$92.50</td>
<td>$363.0K</td>
<td>7.7K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">26</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SBUX</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$6.4</td>
<td>$6.15</td>
<td>$6.25</td>
<td>$85.00</td>
<td>$343.7K</td>
<td>1.8K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">553</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SBUX</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$3.25</td>
<td>$3.15</td>
<td>$3.15</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$299.2K</td>
<td>11.5K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">970</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SBUX</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$12.1</td>
<td>$11.95</td>
<td>$11.95</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$78.8K</td>
<td>7.2K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">66</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SBUX</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$3.5</td>
<td>$3.45</td>
<td>$3.45</td>
<td>$95.00</td>
<td>$66.9K</td>
<td>14.9K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">274</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Starbucks</h3>
Starbucks is one of the most widely recognized restaurant brands in the world, operating more than 40,000 stores across more than 80 countries as of the end of fiscal 2024. The firm operates in three segments: North America, international markets, and channel development (grocery and ready-to-drink beverage). The coffee chain generates revenue from company-operated stores, royalties, sales of equipment and products to license partners, ready-to-drink beverages, packaged coffee sales, and single-serve products.
In light of the recent options history for Starbucks, it's now appropriate to focus on the company itself. We aim to explore its current performance.
<h3>Starbucks's Current Market Status</h3>
<ul>
<li>Currently trading with a volume of 2,559,055, the SBUX's price is down by -0.16%, now at $96.87. </li>
<li>RSI readings suggest the stock is currently is currently neutral between overbought and oversold.</li>
<li>Anticipated earnings release is in 84 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What The Experts Say On Starbucks</h3>
A total of 5 professional analysts have given their take on this stock in the last 30 days, setting an average price target of $107.2.
Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move
Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=Be8be9arja3be22bz20&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Citigroup keeps a Neutral rating on Starbucks with a target price of $99. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Wedbush keeps a Neutral rating on Starbucks with a target price of $95. 
&#x2A; An analyst from B of A Securities persists with their Buy rating on Starbucks, maintaining a target price of $117. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Morgan Stanley keeps a Overweight rating on Starbucks with a target price of $115. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Stifel persists with their Buy rating on Starbucks, maintaining a target price of $110. 
Options are a riskier asset compared to just trading the stock, but they have higher profit potential. Serious options traders manage this risk by educating themselves daily, scaling in and out of trades, following more than one indicator, and following the markets closely.
If you want to stay updated on the latest options trades for Starbucks, <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> gives you real-time options trades alerts.

Check Out What Whales Are Doing With SBUX

On CNBC's &#8220;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/video/2024/11/04/final-trades-starbucks-freeport-mcmoran-constellation-energy-and-the-xlu.html">Halftime Report Final Trades</a>,&#8221; Joshua Brown of Ritholtz Wealth Management said he is keeping an eye on Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SBUX#NASDAQ">SBUX</a>). The stock is expected to make another run at $100, he added.
On Oct. 30, Starbucks reported weaker-than-expected fourth-quarter results. The company posted quarterly earnings of 80 cents per share which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $1.03 per share. The company reported quarterly sales of $9.074 billion which missed the analyst consensus <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/10/41634203/starbucks-likely-to-report-lower-quarterly-earnings-these-most-accurate-analysts-revise-forecasts-a">estimate of $9.375 billion.</a>
Don't forget to check out our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premarket/">premarket coverage here</a>
Shannon Saccocia of NB Private Wealth named The Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLU#NYSE">XLU</a>) as <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/XLU">her final trade.</a>
Sarat Sethi of DCLA named Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FCX#NYSE">FCX</a>) as his final trade.
On Oct. 22, Freeport-McMoRan reported third-quarter FY24 results. Revenue stood at $6.79 billion, beating the consensus of $6.47 billion. Copper sales totaled 1.0 billion pounds, down 7% Y/Y and 2% above the July 2024 estimate, due to the timing of shipments and lower ore grades and operating rates in North America.
Joseph M. Terranova of Virtus Investment Partners picked Constellation Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CEG#NASDAQ">CEG</a>), which pulled back on Monday.
On Nov. 4, Constellation Energy reported third-quarter results and revised its FY24 adjusted EPS guidance, which is below estimates.
Price Action:
<ul>
<li>The Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund fell 1.2% during Monday's session.</li>
<li>Starbucks shares fell 1.9% to settle at $97.03 during Monday's session.</li>
<li>Freeport-McMoRan shares gained 1.5% to close at $46.27 on Monday.</li>
<li>Constellation Energy shares fell 12.5% to settle at $225.95 on Monday.</li>
</ul>
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</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Starbucks, Freeport-McMoRan, Constellation Energy And More On CNBC's 'Final Trades'

Starbucks (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SBUX#NASDAQ">SBUX</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 20 years by 2.02% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 10.22%. Currently, Starbucks has a market capitalization of $109.98 billion. 
Buying $100 In SBUX: If an investor had bought $100 of SBUX stock 20 years ago, it would be worth $701.97 today based on a price of $97.05 for SBUX at the time of writing.
<h3>Starbucks's Performance Over Last 20 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1730755820_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

$100 Invested In Starbucks 20 Years Ago Would Be Worth This Much Today

CNBC Halftime Report Final Trades: Starbucks, Freeport-McMoRan, Constellation Energy, SPDR Select Sector Fund - Utilities

<h4>Key Takeaways:</h4>
<ul>
<li>Luckin Coffee plans to expand to the U.S. and other markets following its first offshore move into Singapore, as competition remains stiff and demand weakens at home</li>
<li>The budget coffee chain&rsquo;s quarterly revenue exceeded 10 billion yuan for the first time in the three months to September, up 41% year-on-year</li>
</ul>
By Xiao Lin
&ldquo;Going out&rdquo; was and remains a mantra for Chinese businesses in search of new growth opportunities and relief from fierce competition at home. But the latter part of that equation, going out to escape competition, is quickly becoming yesterday&rsquo;s story as Chinese companies increasingly encounter their domestic rivals in overseas markets as well.
First it was smartphone makers, then bubble tea and electric vehicle makers. Now, coffee is shaping up as the next overseas battlefield for two of China&rsquo;s most aggressive chains,&nbsp;Luckin Coffee Inc.&nbsp;(OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/lkncy#OTC">LKNCY</a>) and&nbsp;Cotti Coffee, its clone of sorts that was founded by Luckin&rsquo;s original founding duo after being booted from Luckin due to an accounting scandal.
Cotti has ignited a relentless price war in China by selling most of its brews for just 9.9 yuan per cup, or about $1.26, prompting Luckin to join in with its own drinks at that price point. The resulting coffee war has hurt not only Luckin, but just about everyone else on China&rsquo;s vibrant coffee scene, including global giant&nbsp;Starbucks&nbsp;(NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/sbux#NASDAQ">SBUX</a>).
Despite losses from its first overseas exploration in Singapore, where it opened its first non-China location last year, Luckin said it is exploring opportunities in the U.S. and other markets, according to its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/10/30/2971569/0/en/Luckin-Coffee-Inc-Announces-Third-Quarter-2024-Financial-Results.html">latest quarterly results</a>&nbsp;announced last week. That came as it also reported strong revenue growth on aggressive new store openings, and as its margins stabilized more than a year into the price wars that have plagued the sector.
&ldquo;The international market is full of opportunity, but it also presents significant challenges,&rdquo; said Chairman and CEO Guo Jinyi on the company&rsquo;s earnings call. He didn&rsquo;t elaborate, but the Financial Times reported that Luckin could launch its first U.S. store as early as next year, targeting cities with large numbers of Chinese students and tourists such as New York. It will offer coffees priced around $2 or $3, throwing down the gauntlet to Starbucks and other chains that typically charge much more. The company is also reportedly planning to enter Hong Kong with the opening of two new stores in the city, according to local media reports.
The U.S. move would also mark a homecoming of sorts for Luckin, since the company was booted from the Nasdaq and fined $180 million after its accounting scandal in 2020 involving 2.2 billion yuan ($310 million) in fabricated sales.
Nearly five years later, Luckin appears to have emerged stronger under its new management. It has overtaken Starbucks to become the largest coffee chain in China. But it remains haunted by its two co-founders, Lu Zhengyao and Jenny Qian, who have cloned the company&rsquo;s strategies even more aggressively at Coffi.
Chinese startups are no strangers to price wars, using the cash-burning strategy since the early 2010s to rapidly expand, creating tech giants like DiDi Global and PDD Holdings. Luckin, which rose to prominence on its low prices, is now getting a taste of its own medicine from Cotti. Its younger rival started its 9.9 yuan pricing strategy early last year only a few months after launching its first store in the city of Fuzhou in South China&rsquo;s Fujian province, forcing Luckin to follow suit.
<h4>Lightning expansion</h4>
Cotti has opened new stores at a lightning pace since then,&nbsp;<a href="https://thebambooworks.com/cotti-splashes-past-10000-store-milestone-fueled-by-relentless-price-war/">including its 10,000th</a>last month, with plans to add another 40,000 more by the end of next year. Cotti has employed the kinds of aggressive tactics that got Luckin to where it is, including rewarding franchisees for opening stores close to Luckin&rsquo;s, according to multiple media reports.
The fierce price wars are squeezing Luckin&rsquo;s profitability and especially its same-store sales, though its latest report showed some signs of relief from the price wars.
Luckin&rsquo;s latest quarterly revenues totaled 10.2 billion yuan ($1.4 billion), exceeding the 10 billion yuan mark for the first time in the three months to September, up 41.4% year-on-year. While impressive, the growth lagged the company&rsquo;s store expansion over the same period, which rose 61% to 21,343 outlets.
Luckin&rsquo;s operating expenses also remained high due to the rapid pace of new store openings, at 84.7% of total revenue. These expenses grew 38.2% from the same period last year, roughly in line with its revenue growth.
The impact of the price wars and rapid expansion were most evident in the company&rsquo;s same-store sales, which fell 13.1% in the third quarter. While that looks bad, it was actually an improvement from the last two quarters, which both saw drops of over 20%. Same-store sales grew 19.9% in the same period last year.
Starbucks&rsquo; same-store sales in China also suffered, dropping 14% in its latest quarter through September.
In a positive sign, Luckin&rsquo;s store-level margins showed signs of stabilizing in the third quarter, and its operating margin even improved to 15.3% for the period from 13.4% a year earlier. That helped the company to report net income of 1.3 billion yuan for the quarter, up from 988 million yuan a year earlier.
Following its publication of the results, Luckin&rsquo;s shares, which are still traded over-the-counter in New York, rallied for two days before giving back some of their gains on Friday. Despite a recent bull run for Chinese stocks, Luckin is still down about 25% over the last year. The company&rsquo;s stock trades at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 24, behind the 30 for Starbucks but ahead of the 22 for fast food operator&nbsp;Yum China&nbsp;(NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/yumc#NYSE">YUMC</a>), which is also expanding aggressively into the coffee space.
Luckin&rsquo;s overseas foray dates back to March 2023 when it opened its first two stores in Singapore. Cotti showed up in the market just nine months later, offering coffee at its first Singaporean store for about S$3.99 ($3) per cup, roughly 20% less than Luckin&rsquo;s average price of S$5, according to media reports.
Luckin said that it had opened 45 stores in Singapore by the end of the third quarter and recorded a loss of about 76.3 million yuan there for the first nine months of this year.
Cotti beat Luckin to the U.S. by opening its first store in Hawaii last year and a second one in Los Angeles early this year, offering Americanos for $2.99.
Luckin said it is not expecting near-term profitability from its international push and will instead aim to reach significant scale first, following its China strategy. Recognizing the stiff competition it will meet in the U.S. from established players, the company said, &ldquo;we intend to approach our expansion strategy there with careful consideration and a disciplined execution plan.&rdquo;
&ldquo;It indeed requires patience, time and continuous investment,&rdquo; said Chairman Guo.
This article is from an unpaid external contributor. It does not represent Benzinga&#39;s reporting and has not been edited for content or accuracy.

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