DEE-ANN DURBIN AP Business Writer
It was a happy holiday at Starbucks, but the company's sales momentum could start to slow due to the coronavirus outbreak in China.
New drinks like the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew were a hit with customers, helping the Seattle-based coffee giant beat Wall Street's forecasts in the October-December period. Starbucks reaffirmed its 2020 profit guidance for now, but said it has already closed more than half of its stores in China.
Starbucks reported Tuesday that its earnings rose 16% to $886 million in its fiscal first quarter. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring items like restructuring charges, were 79 cents per share. That beat Wall Street's forecast of 76 cents.
Starbucks said same-store sales — or sales at stores open at least 13 months — jumped 5% worldwide in the October-December period, ahead of analysts' forecast of 4.4%. Revenue was up 7% to $7.1 billion, in line with analysts' forecasts.
Starbucks said 1.4 million U.S. customers joined its Starbucks Rewards loyalty program during the quarter. The company said demand for mobile ordering and payment is growing in the U.S.
Flights in the UK experienced delays after technical issues.
Robotics company Switchbot is working on a new product that helps vacuum and mop.
Instacart filed for an initial public offering to trade on Nasdaq.
Shein and the owner of Forever 21 struck a strategic partnership that could have an impact on the fast fashion world.
A survey showed that remote workers are feeling more disconnected from their organizations.
Zillow is now offering mortgages where buyers only need to put down 1% on a down payment.
Tech giants will now have to comply with the European Union's new rules to combat hate.
Maui County filed a lawsuit against Hawaiian Electric for allegedly failing to shut off power lines during the wildfires.
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