ab 27 January 2026 Global Research MIXUE Group Current valuation appears fair with likely near- term negative catalysts; downgrade to Neutral [Erratum] Downgrade to Neutral due to near-term risks We cut MIXUE's 2026-27E NP by 7% (11-13% below consensus), mainly reflecting near-term GPM pressure, driven by store-level deleveraging due to rising raw material costs, a higher delivery mix, and intensifying competition. We now expect MIXUE's 2026 GPM to compress to 29.7%, 1-2ppts lower than 2025 and 2.1ppts belo ...

The S&P 500 briefly hit 7,000 on Wednesday, marking a new intraday milestone, before closing slightly down at 6,978.03, the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 12.19 points, or 0.02%, finishing at 49,015.60, while the Nasdaq Composite outperformed with a 0.17% gain, ending the session at 23,857.45, as per a report.US Stock Market Today Ends Mixed After Fed Holds Interest Rates SteadyInvestors were digesting the Federal Reserve’s latest decision to keep interest rates unchanged at a target range of 3.5% to 3 ...

Wednesday morning, Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) posted a quarterly earnings report that beat analyst revenue expectations. That wasn't enough to lift its shares into positive territory, though they only dipped by 0.6% in price on the day. Lukewarm performance? Before market open, Starbucks served up its first quarter of fiscal 2026 results. For the period, its net revenue rose 6% year over year to $9.9 billion. That was on the back of 4% growth in global comparable store sales. Where to invest $1,000 right n ...

Core Viewpoint - Steak 'n Shake is contributing $1,000 to "Trump Accounts" for the children of its employees, aligning with the Trump administration's investment initiative aimed at supporting newborns and promoting wealth-building from birth [1][7]. Company Initiatives - The fast-food chain will match $1,000 to Trump Accounts for every child born between 2025 and 2028, emphasizing its commitment to community support and employee welfare [1][4]. - The initiative reflects the personal philosophy of Chairman Sardar Biglari, who has a history of creating opportunities for franchisees and is now extending this vision to employees' families [4][7]. Industry Context - The Trump Accounts initiative, launched under the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," aims to provide a $1,000 federally funded investment account to every U.S. citizen born between 2025 and 2028, with an estimated 25 million families qualifying [8][9]. - Major companies like JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America have also announced plans to match government contributions to these accounts, indicating a broader industry support for the initiative [10].

Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol must now use the coffee giant's private aircraft for all travel to enhance his security, a company spokesperson confirmed to FOX Business.  The Seattle-based company said an independent security review identified "credible" risks to Niccol that warrant enhanced protection, pointing to his high-profile position, increased media exposure and the broader threat environment, according to a Monday regulatory filing."Given Mr. Niccol’s CEO role, the enhanced media attention to which Mr. ...

Core Insights - Starbucks Corporation is a leading global coffeehouse chain known for premium coffee and customer experience, competing with major brands like Dunkin' and McDonald's [1] - Wells Fargo analyst Zachary Fadem has set a new price target of $110 for Starbucks, indicating a potential 12.27% increase from the current price of $97.98 [1][5] Financial Performance - In the first quarter of fiscal 2026, Starbucks reported a 5.5% year-over-year revenue increase, reaching $9.91 billion, despite missing earnings estimates with an EPS of 56 cents [2][5] - The revenue growth was supported by a 4% rise in global comparable sales, attributed to increased transactions and modest ticket gains [2] Challenges and Strategies - Starbucks is facing margin contraction due to rising labor and coffee costs, yet management remains optimistic about the company's future [3][5] - The "Back to Starbucks" strategy is showing early success, helping to boost sales as more customers return and visit more frequently, which is expected to lead to sustainable growth [3][5] Stock Performance - Currently, Starbucks' stock is trading at approximately $97.92, reflecting a 2.29% increase, with fluctuations between a low of $97.27 and a high of $104.80 on the same day [4] - Over the past year, the stock has reached a high of $117.46 and a low of $75.50, with a market capitalization of about $111.34 billion [4]

Core Insights - Digital platforms are crucial for Starbucks' turnaround strategy, as stated by Chairman and CEO Brian Niccol during the quarterly earnings call [1] - The "Back to Starbucks" strategy is ahead of schedule, with global comparable store sales increasing by 4% in the quarter ended December 28, 2025 [2] - U.S. comparable transactions rose by 3%, marking the first growth in this metric in eight quarters, indicating a return of customers and increased engagement [3] Financial Performance - Global comparable store sales increased by 4%, with North America and U.S. comparable sales also up by 4%, while international sales rose by 5% [2] - The increase in U.S. comparable transactions by 3% reflects a significant turnaround in customer engagement [3] Strategic Initiatives - Niccol emphasized the importance of turning around the top line first, which will lead to earnings growth [4] - The company is focusing on technology solutions to gain efficiencies in coffeehouses and support centers globally [4] - Starbucks has appointed Anand Varadarajan as the new chief technology officer, expected to enhance technology platforms significantly [5] Technological Advancements - Starbucks launched a generative AI-powered virtual assistant called Green Dot Assist in November 2025, which aids in operational tasks [6] - The AI tool is designed to reduce friction for partners and enhance customer connection, supporting the company's innovation pipeline [7]

Core Insights - The 2026 Black Pearl Restaurant Guide marks the first inclusion of restaurants from Northeast China, with ONE FULL B&C and the main branch of Lumingchun being the first to be recognized, filling a gap in the region [4][5] - The recognition of these restaurants is seen as a direct acknowledgment of the efforts in integrating cultural tourism and dining in Shenyang, enhancing the city's culinary reputation [4][6] Group 1: Restaurant Recognition - The Black Pearl Restaurant Guide has expanded to include 263 restaurants across 32 cities in China, covering 45 different cuisines, with Liao cuisine making its debut on the list [5] - Lumingchun, established in 1929, is recognized for its traditional Liao cuisine, which has been designated as a national intangible cultural heritage, highlighting its historical significance [5][6] - ONE FULL B&C, a newer establishment founded in 2017, represents the emerging trend of Western cuisine in Shenyang, emphasizing the rigorous evaluation standards of the Black Pearl Guide [5][6] Group 2: Cultural and Economic Impact - The inclusion of Liao cuisine in the Black Pearl Guide is seen as a milestone that challenges stereotypes about Northeast cuisine and sets a quality benchmark for local dining [6][8] - The trend of "refined dining" is gaining traction, with a shift in consumer behavior towards quality and experience rather than just quantity, indicating a broader cultural shift in dining preferences [6][7] - The integration of dining with cultural tourism in Shenyang is being actively promoted, with local specialties being incorporated into tourism routes and the establishment of food landmarks [7][8] Group 3: Broader Trends in Dining - The Black Pearl Guide is not just a ranking but also a catalyst for local culinary development, encouraging the use of regional ingredients and enhancing the overall dining experience [8] - The dining market in Shenyang is evolving towards diversification, youthfulness, and health consciousness, aligning with the growing demand for high-quality dining experiences [7][8]

The turnaround plans are starting to really take a whole take a hold right now and results really improved, rising, you know, 4% systemwide, same store sales, U.S. as well. China was up 7%. You know, here in the U.S., it's, you know, mainly about better operations.Right. They rolled out new operating standards late last year and that they seem to be really boosting the speed of service, which is creating happier customers that come back more frequently. Right.Some food innovation, including protein, cold fo ...

Company Performance - The turnaround plans for the company are showing positive results, with systemwide same-store sales rising by 4% and U.S. same-store sales increasing by 4%, while China saw a 7% increase [1] - Improved operations, including the rollout of new operating standards, have boosted service speed and customer satisfaction, leading to increased customer return rates [1] Cost Management - The company has identified $2 billion in annual costs to target over the next 1 to 2 years, as margins have been impacted despite increased same-store sales and traffic [4] - The strategy of reallocating labor into stores has been effective in driving customer traffic but has also led to margin compression [5] Competitive Landscape - The competitive environment is described as being tougher than ever, with younger chains like Dutch Bros and Seven Brew gaining popularity among Gen Z [6] - High-end coffee shops are also increasing competition by offering quality coffee and elevated food experiences, prompting the company to make strategic changes [7] Innovation and Marketing - The company is focusing on food innovation, including new protein and cold foam offerings, which have positively impacted same-store sales [2] - There is an emphasis on improving food quality and introducing innovative drink offerings to enhance the customer experience throughout the day [8]