NEW YORK (AP) — Starbucks Corp. should give a sense of how it is faring in its efforts to improve results in economically hard-hit regions of the world and its push to expand beyond its cafes when it reports its fiscal third-quarter results Thursday.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: As Starbucks faces increasing competition from fast food chains that serve specialty coffees, the company has been moving into a variety of new businesses. Earlier this month, for example, Starbucks announced the opening of three new Evolution Fresh Inc. juice stores. That’s in addition to the Tazo tea shop it says will open this fall.