Options Corner: SBUX Upgrade & Price Target Hikes

Core Viewpoint - Starbucks is experiencing renewed optimism following an upgrade to outperform by William Blair, with expectations for its first domestic comparable sales gain in two years, potentially leading to a positive full-year outlook for comparable sales [1] Financial Performance - Starbucks is set to report earnings on Wednesday, with analysts anticipating a turnaround in performance based on recent positive metrics from both China and domestic markets [11] - The company has seen a 14% increase in stock price in January, indicating a potential recovery after a prolonged decline [10] Market Position - Starbucks has underperformed compared to its consumer discretionary sector and broader markets, with a decline of over 2% year-to-date [3] - The stock is currently trading around $96, with notable trading levels identified at $90, $94, and $97, which may serve as key resistance or support levels [4][5] Technical Analysis - Short-term moving averages are diverging from longer-term averages, suggesting potential improvement in momentum, although caution is advised due to the sensitivity of these indicators [7] - The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is just above 70, indicating a potential risk of a pullback if the stock does not maintain its upward momentum [8] Options Strategy - A covered call strategy is suggested for investors looking to capitalize on the stock's dividend yield of approximately 2.5%, allowing for income generation while holding shares [12] - The strategy involves selling out-of-the-money calls against owned shares, with a specific example of selling a January 30th 100 strike call, which could provide additional premium income [13][14]