Starbucks (SBUX) Brewing a Breakout? Don’t Miss This $100 BattleStarbucks (SBUX) 2-Hour Chart Breakdown
Hey traders, let’s dive into Starbucks (SBUX) on the 2-hour chart and see what’s cooking. The price is sitting at $99.65 right now, up a tiny 0.01%, but don’t let that small move fool you—this chart has been a wild ride lately, and I think we’re at a really interesting spot for a potential trade.
What’s Been Happening with the Price?
If you look at the chart, you’ll see Starbucks hit a high of $112.38 back on March 17th. That was the peak, and man, did it come crashing down after that! The price tanked all the way to $97.34 by early April, a pretty steep drop. Since then, though, things have calmed down a bit, and we’ve been stuck in this tight range between $97.34 and $100.00. Lately, the price has been pushing toward the upper end of that range, and it’s got my attention.
Let’s Talk Trends
From mid-March to early April, we were in a clear downtrend. You can see it on the chart—lower highs, lower lows, and a descending trendline that kept the price in check as it slid down. It was a bear’s paradise, and there’s even a sell signal marked on the chart from that $112.38 peak that caught a massive 27.96% profit on the way down. Not bad at all!
But now, things are starting to shift. After hitting that $97.34 low, the price has been consolidating, and just recently, it broke above that descending trendline. That’s a big deal because it tells me the bears might be losing their grip. We’re not in a full-on uptrend yet, but the momentum feels like it’s tilting toward the bulls, especially with the price testing that $100.00 level.
Key Levels to Watch
Let’s zoom in on the levels that matter here. On the downside, $97.34 has been a rock-solid support. The price has bounced off that level a couple of times in early April, so it’s a spot I’m keeping an eye on. If we drop back down, that’s where I’d expect buyers to step in again.
On the upside, $100.00 is the big resistance we’re testing right now. The price has struggled to break through here before, so it’s a critical level. If we can get a clean break above it, I think we could see a nice move higher. The next big resistance after that would be around $107.00, which was a swing high from late March, and then up toward $111.00 or even that $112.38 peak if things really get going.
What the Past Signals Tell Us
The chart has a couple of trade signals marked, which give us some context. That sell signal at $112.38 was a home run, as I mentioned—27.96% profit as the price collapsed. Then there’s a buy signal at the $97.34 low on April 5th, but that one only managed a peak profit of 0.27%. Not exactly a big win, and it makes sense because the price has been stuck in this range since then. It’s like the market’s been taking a breather, trying to figure out its next move.
Digging into the Technicals
Alright, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of what’s happening on the chart. That break above the descending trendline is a bullish sign for me. It’s like the price is saying, “I’m done with this downtrend, let’s try something new.” We’re also in this consolidation range between $97.34 and $100.00, and when I see a range like that, I know a breakout is usually coming. The question is, which way?
One thing that’s catching my eye is the potential for a double bottom pattern. We’ve got two tests of that $97.34 support, and if we can break above $100.00, that would confirm the pattern. If that happens, I’d measure the height of the pattern and project it upward, which could take us toward $107.00 as a first target. That’s something to watch for.
I’d love to see volume on this chart to confirm the breakout, but from the price action alone, it feels like there’s some buying interest building as we push toward $100.00. If we get a strong candle closing above that level, I’ll be a lot more confident in the bulls.
How I’d Trade This Setup
So, what’s the play here? I see a few ways to approach this, depending on what the price does next.
First, let’s talk about the bullish case. If we get a solid break above $100.00—ideally with a strong 2-hour candle and some good volume—I’d be looking to go long. My first target would be $107.00, and if we get some momentum, maybe even $111.00 or $112.38. I’d set my stop loss just below the recent swing low around $98.00 to protect myself in case this breakout fails. That trendline break and the potential double bottom make me think the bulls have a shot here.
On the flip side, if the price gets rejected at $100.00—and I’ll be watching for something like a shooting star or a bearish engulfing candle—I’d consider a short. If we drop back down, $97.34 is the first target, and if that support breaks, we could even see $94.00, which is a psychological level and a spot where I’d expect some buyers to show up. For a short, I’d set my stop loss just above $100.65 to give it a little room.
If you’re more of a scalper, you could play the range while we’re stuck in it. Buy near $97.34, sell near $100.00, and use tight stops outside the range—say, below $97.00 for longs and above $100.65 for shorts. It’s a decent way to grab some quick profits while we wait for the bigger move.
A Word on Risk
One thing I always remind myself is to keep risk in check. Starbucks has been volatile—look at that 27.96% drop from the peak! So, I’d be careful with my position size and aim for at least a 1:2 risk-reward ratio on any breakout trade. Also, keep an eye out for any news that might shake things up, like earnings reports or big economic data releases. Starbucks is in the consumer discretionary sector, so things like consumer spending trends or even coffee prices could move the stock.
The Bigger Picture
Speaking of the broader market, Starbucks can be influenced by how the NASDAQ 100 is doing, since it’s listed there. If the overall market is feeling optimistic, that could help push SBUX higher. On the other hand, if there’s a risk-off vibe, we might see that $100.00 resistance hold strong. It’s always good to check the bigger picture before jumping into a trade.
Wrapping It Up
So, where does that leave us? Starbucks is at a really interesting spot right now, testing that $100.00 resistance after breaking above the descending trendline. I’m leaning toward a bullish breakout, especially with that potential double bottom pattern, but I’ll be watching closely to see if we get confirmation above $100.00. If we do, I think $107.00 is a realistic target, with $111.00 or higher in play if the bulls really take control. But if we get rejected here, $97.34 is the level to watch on the downside.
For now, I’d say be patient and wait for the price to show its hand. Whether you’re looking for a breakout or playing the range, there’s definitely an opportunity here. Just make sure to manage your risk and stay on top of any news that might move the stock. Let’s see how this plays out I’ll be watching this one closely!
