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.
Chipotle filed a lawsuit in California federal court against Sweetgreen over the salad chain's chicken burrito bowl, claiming infringement for using the word "chipotle" in the name.
The head of UBS has voiced confidence that the Swiss bank will succeed in a government-engineered takeover of hobbled rival Credit Suisse.
Jeep unveiled its 2024 Wrangler SUV, with more capabilities and updated technology.
Major crypto tokens, including Bitcoin, are trading higher.
Bed Bath & Beyond struck a deal with an investment management firm to get more product on the shelves in an effort to avoid bankruptcy.
Google revealed details of its new artificial intelligence supercomputer on Wednesday.
Demand for mortgages was down last week, even though rates inched lower for potential homebuyers.
Walmart told shareholders Wednesday that inflation is impacting the business. Now it is looking to add automation to offset hiring.
Bob Lee, a technology executive who created Cash App and was currently chief product officer of MobileCoin, has been fatally stabbed in San Francisco.
The Food and Drug Administration has announced that the maker of a brand of eye drops linked to an outbreak of fatal bacterial infections failed to follow safety protocols.
