Starbucks' Profit Jumps 25% on Holiday Menu Items and Lower Costs

Shares of Starbucks are rising on Friday after reporting better-than-expected first quarter profit but sales that missed expectations. After the close on Thursday, the coffeehouse chain reported fiscal first-quarter profit of $540.7 million, or 71 cents a share -- a 25% rise from the same period last year and above analyst expectations of 69 cents a share, according to Thomson Reuters. Starbucks attributed the higher profit to improved global sales and lower coffee costs, while CEO Howard Schultz attributed improved performance in the Americas' to seasonal beverage and menu items around the holidays.

Brittany joined TheStreet.com TV in November 2006 after completing a degree in Journalism and Media Studies at Rutgers College. Previously, Brittany interned at the local ABC affiliate in New York City WABC-TV 7 where she helped research and produce On Your Side, a popular consumer advocacy segment.