18% profits rise perks up Starbucks

Starbucks perked up its net income by 18% in the second quarter, as more customers visited its cafes around the world.

The Seattle-based coffee chain said it earned 309.9 million US dollars (£192 million), or 40 cents (25p) per share, for the three months ended April 1, compared with a profit of 261.6 million dollars (£162.1 million), or 34 cents (21p) per share in the same quarter last year.