Starbucks’ first publicly traded stock exchange was Nasdaq.
Starbucks began trading publicly in 1992, shortly before its initial public offering. The company trades under the ticker symbol SBUX, which remains associated with Starbucks Corporation. Nasdaq is a major U.S. electronic stock market and is home to many technology, consumer, and growth-oriented companies.
The company’s public listing helped provide capital for expansion as Starbucks grew beyond its original Seattle base. Public ownership also made Starbucks’ financial performance subject to regular reporting and market valuation.
A common mix-up is confusing the exchange with the ticker symbol. Nasdaq is the market on which the shares trade; SBUX is the company’s stock ticker. Starbucks’ listing history is also separate from Howard Schultz’s 1987 acquisition of the company.