The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite are in record territory, which might lead investors to think there aren't any solid buying opportunities.
However, some well-known businesses haven't benefited from the broader market's rally. Coffeehouse giant Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) is one of them. Its shares are currently 38% below their all-time high.
Starbucks really disappointed its shareholders when it reported fiscal 2024 second-quarter financials on April 30.
Revenue came in just shy of $8.6 billion, while diluted earnings per share totaled $0.68. Not only were both of these key headline figures below Wall Street analysts' expectations
The struggles weren't specific to any single region. Same-store sales dropped 3% and 11% in the two key markets of the U.S. and China, respectively. Customer traffic was down
It's so easy to get caught up in the short term. But I urge investors to maintain their focus on the next three to five years. Viewed in this light, it's not hard to be a little optimistic about Starbucks' prospects.
The restaurant sector more broadly -- and the retail coffee niche more specifically -- are incredibly competitive. Consumers have a seemingly unlimited number of choices. And barriers to entry in the industry are nonexistent.