During the third quarter, Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp increased its stake in Starbucks Corporation by 29.8%, acquiring an additional 18,633 shares to bring its total to 81,177 shares. According to the company’s latest SEC filing, the fund’s Starbucks position was valued at approximately $6.87 million at quarter end. This sizable purchase underscores Atlantic Union’s confidence in Starbucks’ long-term growth prospects and contributes to the 72.29% of Starbucks stock held by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Several smaller institutions also adjusted their positions in the period. PFS Partners LLC more than quintupled its holdings to 340 shares, boosting exposure by 457.4%, while REAP Financial Group LLC increased its stake by 119.4% to 362 shares. Meanwhile, Transce3nd LLC expanded its position by 270.3% to 274 shares and MTM Investment Management and Game Plan Financial Advisors each initiated new positions worth roughly $25,000 to $28,000. These moves reflect a mix of cautious accumulation and selective trimming as investors weigh Starbucks’ steady revenue growth against its premium valuation.

Eighteen research firms currently rate Starbucks as a Buy, eight as a Hold and two as a Sell, resulting in a consensus “Moderate Buy” recommendation. Price targets range from the high-80s to $120, with a consensus target of $104.67. Recent revisions include Citigroup’s reduction from $94 to $92 under a neutral rating, BMO Capital Markets’ reaffirmation at $120 under an outperform rating, and TD Cowen’s upgrade of its target to $89 from $84 while maintaining a hold stance. This diversity of outlooks highlights analysts’ debates over Starbucks’ ability to expand margins and sustain traffic growth in key markets.