Starbucks (SBUX 0.33%) plans to repurchase up to 40 million shares of the company's stock. That number does not include 16 million shares its board of directors had already authorized the coffee chain to repurchase.
Share buybacks are a way to return capital to shareholders while giving the company a bigger share of its own stock. In theory, it could use that stock down the road to fund an acquisition or reissue it to raise money for a new project.
Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson sometimes works shifts in the chain's stores. Image source: Starbucks.
What is Starbucks doing?
Last year, Starbucks returned $12 billion in capital to shareholders via dividends and stock buybacks of roughly 140 million shares. Offering up a new plan for 2020 -- a year the company has suffered massive disruption due to coronavirus in its two biggest markets as well as much of the world -- shows just how strong the chain's business has become.
"Starbucks has the financial strength and resilience to manage through this extraordinary time, guided by our Mission and Values," said CEO Kevin Johnson in a press release. "The increase in our share repurchase program reflects our confidence and optimism about the long-term growth opportunity for our business."
A vote of confidence
Share buybacks generally bolster a company's stock price. That's a good move for the chain, which can buy back shares at somewhat of a discount while keeping prices from falling as far as they might. This move is also Johnson showing confidence that normal will return and Starbucks will get back to growth.
