In the fourth quarter, Starbucks ground out its first increase in US same-store sales in two years. Bean CountingNiccol, who was hired by the Starbucks board as the company’s share price dwindled, suspended financial guidance after taking over. On Wednesday, the company reported US same-store sales climbed 4% year-over-year in the quarter, besting Wall Street’s expectations (global same-store sales also rose 4%). Foot traffic at US stores ticked up by 3%, and the amount of money spent per customer ticked up by 1%. Starbucks closed hundreds of underperforming locations in the fall, which many analysts reasoned would contribute to better same-store sales figures.