Starbucks beats profit estimates despite hit to China business

Despite record inflation in the United States that ate in to Starbucks' operating margin, the chain is "not currently seeing any measurable reduction in customer spending or any evidence of customers trading down," interim Chief Executive Officer Howard Schultz told investors on a conference call.

The Seattle-based chain earned 84 cents per share on an adjusted basis, beating estimates of 75 cents. The company's stock rose nearly 2 percent in extended trading.

However, global comparable sales rose 3 percent in the fiscal third quarter ended July 3, compared with analysts' average estimate for a 3.76 percent rise, according to Refinitiv IBES.

U.S. sales were boosted by Starbucks' ability to raise prices without pushback from its wealthier customers and its booming sales of cold beverages, which now make up about 75 percent of total beverage sales in U.S. company-operated cafes.

Its U.S. active membership in its rewards program also grew 13 percent to 27.4 million members.

Higher costs for ingredients and enhanced benefits for some U.S. employees affected operating margins, which fell by 400 basis points to 15.9 percent. Same-store sales grew 9 percent in North America.

As it fends off an organizing drive that has prompted workers at 200 stores to vote to unionize since last year, Schultz said in April that the company would boost benefits and wages - but only for workers in nonunionized stores - starting this week.

China was hit by the "most severe Covid disruption since the pandemic began," with comparable sales in the company's fastest-growing market slumping 44 percent in the quarter, Belinda Wong, chairman of Starbucks China, said during the call.