Is Starbucks Stock Halal?
Starbucks Corporation · SBUX · NASDAQ
Starbucks Corporation (SBUX) passes our computed AAOIFI financial-ratio screen (data as of 2026-03-29) — interest-bearing debt 13.0% and cash plus interest-bearing securities 1.5% of market cap, both under the 30% limits — but both major U.S. Shariah-screened ETFs (SPUS and HLAL) exclude it from their holdings as of June 2026, which typically signals a business-activity concern that automated ratio screens cannot see. We report it as conditional until the segment revenue in the latest annual filing is verified.
Financial data as of 2026-03-29 · Screening basis: AAOIFI · Last reviewed 2026-06-14
Our Analysis
Starbucks sells coffee, tea, food, and packaged beverages, which is a permissible business. Its fiscal 2025 revenue of $37.2 billion comes overwhelmingly from company-operated stores (about 83%) and licensed stores (about 12%), with the rest from its Channel Development packaged-products business. The business-activity screen is largely clean, with a couple of minor exceptions worth knowing.
On alcohol, Starbucks once ran a 'Starbucks Evenings' program serving beer and wine, but it was discontinued company-wide around 2017; today only the small number of Starbucks Reserve Roastery locations serve alcohol, and that revenue is immaterial and not separately disclosed. Some breakfast food items contain pork. Neither category is broken out in the filings, and both are a small slice of overall sales, the situation in which AAOIFI-style screens typically allow the stock with dividend purification.
The sticking point for Starbucks is more likely financial than product-based. The company is in the S&P 500 but does not appear in SPUS as of June 11, 2026, and is also absent from HLAL. Starbucks carries negative book equity after years of debt-funded buybacks, and leverage is a frequent reason large consumer names fail Shariah financial screens, but SPUS does not publish a per-stock explanation, so the precise cause cannot be confirmed. A Muslim investor should treat Starbucks as currently outside both major US Shariah funds and check a live screener, paying particular attention to the leverage ratios, before relying on any verdict.
Business Activity Screen
Starbucks Corporation is a roaster, marketer, and retailer of specialty coffee, operating through company-operated and licensed stores across North America and International segments plus a Channel Development business. Per its fiscal 2025 10-K (year ended September 28, 2025), total net revenues were $37,184.4 million; company-operated stores accounted for about 83% of revenue and licensed stores about 12%, with the remainder in other (packaged/single-serve products and royalties).
Selling coffee, tea, food, and related products is permissible. Shariah-relevant notes: (1) Starbucks historically ran a 'Starbucks Evenings' program serving beer and wine, which was discontinued company-wide around 2017; a limited amount of alcohol is still served at Starbucks Reserve Roastery locations, and this alcohol revenue is not separately disclosed and is immaterial. (2) Some food items contain pork (for example certain bacon/sausage breakfast sandwiches), not separately disclosed. (3) Starbucks earns interest income (interest income and other, net was $113.3M in fiscal 2025 per the 10-K) and carries interest expense ($542.6M), reported outside operating revenue. Starbucks is an S&P 500 constituent but is absent from SPUS as of 2026-06-11; the company reports negative shareholders' equity from debt-funded buybacks, a common cause of Shariah leverage-screen failure, but SPUS does not publish the reason.
Financial Ratio Screen
| Screen | Value | AAOIFI limit | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interest-bearing debt / market cap | 13.0% | < 30% | Pass |
| Cash + interest-bearing securities / market cap | 1.5% | < 30% | Pass |
| Impermissible income / total revenueInterest income only — verify other impermissible revenue lines in the 10-K | 0.3% | < 5% | Pass |
Spot market cap at research date (consider trailing average for borderline names). Data as of 2026-03-29 · thresholds per AAOIFI Shariah standards.
This verdict uses the AAOIFI standard — the most widely used and, at a 30% debt limit, the most conservative mainstream Shariah standard. Interest-bearing debt and interest-bearing securities each stay under 30% of market cap, and impermissible income under 5% of revenue. Other standards (Dow Jones Islamic, S&P Shariah, MSCI Islamic, FTSE Yasaar) use ~33% limits or screen against total assets, so a borderline company can be rated differently by each. How we screen & why screeners disagree →
How Starbucks screens across Shariah standards
The standards disagree on this company. It passes some Shariah screens and fails others — which is exactly why you may see a different answer in different apps. Our headline verdict uses AAOIFI, the strictest and most widely cited mainstream standard.
| Standard | Debt | Cash & interest securities | Limit / basis | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AAOIFI (our standard) | 13.0% | 1.5% | < 30% of market cap | Pass |
| Dow Jones Islamic / S&P Shariah thresholdDow Jones and S&P apply this limit against a trailing 24–36-month average market cap; shown here on the same point-in-time market cap for comparison. | 13.0% | 1.5% | < 33% of market cap | Pass |
| MSCI Islamic / FTSE Yasaar basisTotal-assets denominator. MSCI/FTSE also apply entry/exit buffers and a receivables screen we do not reproduce. | 49.4% | 5.6% | < 33.33% of total assets | Fail |
HalalWallet computation reproducing each standard's threshold and denominator from public filings (balance sheet as of 2026-03-29) — not the providers' licensed index determinations, which can differ. Debt is interest-bearing borrowings (operating leases excluded). The impermissible-income screen (< 5% of revenue) is common to all of these standards and is shown in the ratio table above. Dow Jones and S&P apply their limit against a trailing 24–36-month average market cap; MSCI and FTSE add entry/exit buffers and a receivables screen. Full methodology →
Other stocks where Shariah screeners disagree
These companies pass under some mainstream standards and fail under others — the same pattern as this verdict. That is why two apps can show different answers.
AbbVieABBV
Passes market-cap screens · fails MSCI/FTSE (total assets)
AirbnbABNB
Passes market-cap screens · fails MSCI/FTSE (total assets)
Arista NetworksANET
Passes market-cap screens · fails MSCI/FTSE (total assets)
ArmARM
Passes market-cap screens · fails MSCI/FTSE (total assets)
BlockXYZ
Fails AAOIFI market-cap · passes MSCI/FTSE (total assets)
BroadcomAVGO
Passes market-cap screens · fails MSCI/FTSE (total assets)
Conditions
Our computed AAOIFI financial-ratio screen passes on the latest filing data, but both major U.S. Shariah-screened ETFs — SPUS (S&P Shariah methodology) and HLAL (FTSE Shariah methodology) — exclude Starbucks Corporation from their holdings as of our June 2026 check, even though it is in their parent indices. Professional screens apply filing-level business-activity analysis (alcohol, pork, tobacco, or media revenue share) and different ratio bases that an automated ratio screen cannot replicate. That divergence usually signals an impermissible-revenue question. Treat this as unresolved until the segment revenue in the latest annual filing is verified line by line.
Scholars' & Screeners' Positions
Published positions, cited as stated. Screeners can reach different conclusions on the same company because of ratio timing and methodology differences — we report the disagreement rather than flatten it.
SP Funds S&P 500 Sharia ETF (SPUS)
Not held in SPUS as of 2026-06-11. Absence can reflect screen failure or index scope — verify before citing as a screen outcome.
Source →Wahed FTSE USA Shariah ETF (HLAL)
Not held in HLAL as of 2026-06-11. Absence can reflect screen failure or index scope — verify before citing as a screen outcome.
Source →
What to do instead
You don't have to choose between investing and your values — screened alternatives exist for nearly every position.
Related guides
Consider Consulting an Islamic Scholar
Major whether Starbucks Corporation is halal decisions often involve nuances that vary by scholarly opinion and personal circumstance. While HalalWallet provides educational comparisons and tools, we are not scholars or financial advisors. For personal guidance on Shariah compliance, consider speaking with a qualified Islamic scholar, your local imam, or a Shariah-certified financial advisor familiar with your situation.
Important: HalalWallet is an educational comparison platform. We do not provide financial, legal, or religious advice.
Product structures and Shariah-compliance oversight vary by provider. Before applying:
- Verify halal compliance directly with the provider.
- Review the contract structure (Murabaha, Ijara, Musharakah, etc.) and any disclosed Shariah board opinions.
- Consult a qualified Islamic finance advisor or scholar for guidance on your individual circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources and review process
This page is reviewed against HalalWallet editorial standards and source documentation.
Reviewed by: HalalWallet Editorial Team
Last reviewed: 2026-06-01
How to cite this page
Preferred format:
For time-sensitive claims (rates, fees, state availability), please verify directly with the provider's official documentation and note the retrieval date.
Editorial Team, HalalWallet
Independent halal finance research
Reviewed quarterly and updated for major content changes.