---
title: "Starbucks Stock (NASDAQ:SBUX) Slips Despite Turnaround Narrative Mounting"
type: "News"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/296939431.md"
description: "Starbucks (SBUX) stock slipped 1.5% despite a mounting turnaround narrative under new CEO Brian Niccol, who is focusing on customer experience and employee compensation. While the stock has rallied 24% over the past year, investor skepticism persists. Meanwhile, Starbucks launched its fall menu, including the Pumpkin Spice Latte. Analysts maintain a Moderate Buy consensus with an average price target of $119, implying 12.38% upside potential."
datetime: "2026-08-25T16:12:07.000Z"
locales:
  - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/296939431.md)
  - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/296939431.md)
  - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/296939431.md)
generator: "portal-rs"
---

# Starbucks Stock (NASDAQ:SBUX) Slips Despite Turnaround Narrative Mounting

Coffee giant Starbucks (SBUX) has been working to turn around its fortunes, starting with bringing in new CEO Brian Niccol. That led to a string of improvements that are starting to take hold and give Starbucks a compelling turnaround narrative. Investors were a bit skeptical, however, and sent Starbucks shares down around 1.5% in Tuesday morning's trading. Starbucks stock has seen a 24.08% rally in its share price over the past year.

## **New Stores, New Policies, New Gains**

Brian Niccol rapidly took a page from previous CEO Howard Schultz's book, and stuck to the idea that Starbucks required "…a maniacal focus on the customer experience." Niccol put quite a bit into improving that customer experience. Not all of it has worked, but enough of it has to make the idea that Starbucks is turning things around make sense.

Improvements in employee compensation, new bonuses for satisfied customers, and a commitment to promoting from within have given baristas the idea that their jobs are no longer dead-end. The recent short arrival of Unicorn Frappuccinos that propelled Starbucks to its best weekend ever demonstrates that this idea may have paid off bigger than some might expect.

## **New Menu Is Up**

If you have been feeling the hint of a chill in the air, you know that summer's days are numbered and fall is about to kick off in earnest. This means the return of Pumpkin Spice latte, which launches today, and includes a range of non-latte Pumpkin Spice drinks including Pumpkin Spice chai, iced pumpkin cream shaken espresso, and more. Those not interested in pumpkin can find pecan and banana bread options and the iced chaider—a combination of chai and cider—as options as well.

## **Is Starbucks Stock a Good Buy?**

Turning to Wall Street, analysts have a Moderate Buy consensus rating on SBUX stock based on 12 Buys and eight Holds assigned in the past three months, as indicated by the graphic below. The average SBUX price target of $119 per share implies 12.38% upside potential.

### Related Stocks

- [SBUX.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/SBUX.US.md)

## Related News & Research

- [Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC Makes New Investment in Starbucks Corporation $SBUX](https://longbridge.com/en/news/297629646.md)
- [Hollencrest Capital Management Cuts Stake in Starbucks Corporation $SBUX](https://longbridge.com/en/news/297422817.md)
- [Does Starbucks’ Fiber Snack Partnership With Floura Fiber Reframe Its Turnaround Menu Strategy (SBUX)?](https://longbridge.com/en/news/297558106.md)
- [Assetmark Inc. Cuts Holdings in Starbucks Corporation $SBUX](https://longbridge.com/en/news/296315102.md)
- [Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. Purchases Shares of 260,110 Starbucks Corporation $SBUX](https://longbridge.com/en/news/296591535.md)

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> **Disclaimer: This article is for reference only and does not constitute any investment advice.**