SB
SBUX
Dec 29, 2024
Quarter ended Dec 29, 2024 · FY2025 Q1

Starbucks Corporation stock research

Starbucks (SBUX) Free Cash Flow — Quarter Ended Dec 29, 2024

Free cash flow improved sequentially but weakened compared to the same quarter last year. The cash conversion rate rose from the prior quarter, though it remained below the year-ago level.

Free cash flow takeaway

A quick read on the company's cash generation and what it means for investors.

Free cash flow improved sequentially but weakened compared to the same quarter last year. The cash conversion rate rose from the prior quarter, though it remained below the year-ago level.

  • Revenue was stable versus a year ago and higher than the prior quarter. Operating cash flow increased from the preceding quarter but was lower than the year-ago period. Capital expenditure was higher than a year ago but lower than the prior quarter. Free cash flow and free cash flow margin improved sequentially but declined year over year.
  • Compared to the immediately preceding quarter, free cash flow and free cash flow margin were higher, driven by stronger operating cash flow and lower capital expenditure. Versus the same quarter one year earlier, free cash flow and free cash flow margin were lower, as operating cash flow declined and capital expenditure increased.

FCF snapshot

Quarterly and TTM cash-flow metrics with the minimum valuation context.

TTM free cash flow

$2.9B

Trailing twelve-month free cash flow.

Quarter free cash flow

$1.4B

Free cash flow in the selected fiscal quarter.

Operating cash flow

$2.1B

Cash generated by operations before capital spending.

CapEx

$692.9M

Capital spending and related asset purchases.

FCF margin

14.7%

The share of revenue converted into free cash flow.

Cash flow trend

A short quarterly history shows whether FCF is scaling with revenue or only spiking for one period.

PeriodRevenueOperating CFCapExFCFFCF margin
2024-03-31$8.6B$506.0M$659.1M-$153.1M-1.8%
2024-06-30$9.1B$1.7B$724.3M$945.8M10.4%
2024-09-29$9.1B$1.5B$798.2M$737.4M8.1%
2024-12-29$9.4B$2.1B$692.9M$1.4B14.7%

Cash conversion quality

Checks that separate high-quality free cash flow from accounting noise or working-capital timing.

FCF / net income176.6%Shows whether accounting earnings convert into cash.
CapEx / revenue7.4%Lower capital intensity usually supports FCF margin.
Net cashn/aCash and equivalents minus total debt.

Recent events shaping cash flow

Near-term business events that help explain the free cash flow result.

Supportive

Sequential Free Cash Flow Recovery

Free cash flow and free cash flow margin improved from the prior quarter, supported by higher operating cash flow and reduced capital expenditure.

This sequential improvement reversed the prior quarter's lower free cash flow level.

What the cash flow says

How to interpret the company's free cash flow beyond the headline number.

Revenue was stable versus a year ago and higher than the prior quarter. Operating cash flow increased from the preceding quarter but was lower than the year-ago period. Capital expenditure was higher than a year ago but lower than the prior quarter. Free cash flow and free cash flow margin improved sequentially but declined year over year.

Compared to the immediately preceding quarter, free cash flow and free cash flow margin were higher, driven by stronger operating cash flow and lower capital expenditure. Versus the same quarter one year earlier, free cash flow and free cash flow margin were lower, as operating cash flow declined and capital expenditure increased.

Monitor the trajectory of operating cash flow relative to revenue, as it declined year over year despite stable revenue.