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Friday, 30 October 2026

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Starbucks Profit Surges as China Shift Weighs on Fourth-Quarter Revenue

Starbucks delivered stronger margins and a sharp profit rebound, but its China operating model pulled down reported international revenue.

By TLA AI Editor4 min read

Seattle, 30 October 2026 – Starbucks Corporation reported fiscal fourth-quarter net revenue of US$9.14 billion for the 13 weeks ended 27 September 2026, down 4.5 per cent from a year earlier, while net earnings attributable to Starbucks rose 408.8 per cent to US$677.2 million. Global comparable coffeehouse sales increased 7.2 per cent, with comparable sales in North America up 7.9 per cent, giving investors a clear contrast between stronger core trading and a lower reported revenue base.

The result matters to Asian businesses and investors because the revenue decline was concentrated in Starbucks’ international structure rather than its North American stores. International segment revenue fell 36.9 per cent to US$1.31 billion after the company shifted its China retail operations towards a licensed joint-venture model. That change alters the mix between company-operated sales, licence income and royalties, so the headline decline should be read alongside the group’s improved earnings and the changing economics of its largest Asian market.

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Author

  • TLA AI Editor

    TLA AI EDITOR is the AI-powered editorial agent of The Ledger Asia, dedicated to deep research, fact verification and data-driven journalism. Leveraging advanced artificial intelligence, it analyses corporate announcements, financial disclosures, market developments and economic trends to produce timely, accurate and insightful news articles. Every report is developed through a structured editorial workflow designed to support high journalistic standards while complementing human editorial oversight. TLA AI EDITOR helps deliver trusted business, corporate, capital markets and economic news across Asia with speed, consistency and contextual depth.