SB
SBUX
Latest · Mar 29, 2026
Quarter ended Mar 29, 2026 · FY2026 Q2

Starbucks Corporation stock research

Starbucks (SBUX) Free Cash Flow — Quarter Ended Mar 29, 2026

Free cash flow turned positive compared to the same quarter last year, but declined sharply from the preceding quarter. Operating cash flow was markedly lower than the prior quarter, partially offset by a reduction in capital expenditure.

Free cash flow takeaway

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

Free cash flow turned positive compared to the same quarter last year, but declined sharply from the preceding quarter. Operating cash flow was markedly lower than the prior quarter, partially offset by a reduction in capital expenditure.

  • Revenue was slightly lower than the prior quarter but higher than a year ago. Operating cash flow fell significantly from the preceding quarter, leading to a low free cash flow margin. Capital expenditure decreased versus both comparable periods.
  • Compared to the immediately preceding quarter, all cash flow metrics and margins weakened. Versus the same quarter last year, free cash flow and margin improved from a negative position, while revenue was higher.

FCF snapshot

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

TTM free cash flow

$2.7B

Trailing twelve-month free cash flow.

Quarter free cash flow

$91.8M

Free cash flow in the selected fiscal quarter.

Operating cash flow

$364.5M

Cash generated by operations before capital spending.

CapEx

$272.7M

Capital spending and related asset purchases.

FCF margin

1.0%

The share of revenue converted into free cash flow.

TTM FCF yield

2.3%

TTM FCF divided by market capitalization.

Cash flow trend

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

PeriodRevenueOperating CFCapExFCFFCF margin
2025-06-29$9.5B$1.0B$567.4M$434.3M4.6%
2025-09-28$9.6B$1.4B$456.0M$925.8M9.7%
2025-12-28$9.9B$1.6B$323.7M$1.3B12.8%
2026-03-29$9.5B$364.5M$272.7M$91.8M1.0%

Cash conversion quality

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

FCF / net income18.0%Shows whether accounting earnings convert into cash.
CapEx / revenue2.9%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.

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Operating cash flow decline

Operating cash flow decreased substantially from the immediately preceding quarter, which was the strongest observable driver of the free cash flow reduction. This occurred even though revenue was only modestly lower.

The lower operating cash flow directly compressed free cash flow, despite a reduction in capital spending.

What the cash flow says

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

Revenue was slightly lower than the prior quarter but higher than a year ago. Operating cash flow fell significantly from the preceding quarter, leading to a low free cash flow margin. Capital expenditure decreased versus both comparable periods.

Compared to the immediately preceding quarter, all cash flow metrics and margins weakened. Versus the same quarter last year, free cash flow and margin improved from a negative position, while revenue was higher.

Monitor operating cash flow stability after a sharp decline from the prior quarter.

Valuation context

A cash-flow page should show how much investors are paying for the cash stream, without turning into a full DCF.

Market capitalization$119.8BUsed as the denominator for FCF yield.
TTM FCF yield2.3%TTM free cash flow divided by market capitalization.
EV / TTM FCFn/aA quick valuation bridge, not a full DCF.

Peer context

Free cash flow quality is easier to read against related public companies.

SB
SBUX

Starbucks Corporation

FCF margin

1.0%

FCF yield

2.3%