"The US coffee chain giant made a net profit of $241.5m (£148m) in the three months to the end of December, compared with $64.3m a year earlier. Buoyed by extensive cost-cutting work over the past year, the firm has also won back customers in its home market." - Frankie Warren

Is this a real sign that the recession is ending? - Scoble, Alex Scoble

Not necessarily. The profits were driven by cost cutting and the introduction of coffee at lower price points. I think it's more of a reflection on Howard Schultz who took back over as CEO and illustrates they've been able to adapt to the market. - Frankie Warren