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McDonald's Corporation

MCD · NYSE

Market open$267.36$-6.10 (-2.23%)

Key statistics

Previous close$273.46
Open$275.32
Day high$276.36
Day low$267.19
52-week high$341.75
52-week low$264.09
Market cap189.96B
Volume2.60M
Average volume4.45M
P/E ratio21.63
Forward P/E15.98
EPS12.36
Dividend yield+2.75%

Market context

Why it moved

McDonald's stock edged higher amid a bullish analyst consensus, with a "Moderate Buy" rating and an average price target implying roughly 20% upside, while upcoming earnings expectations and the company's value-focused strategy continue to attract investor confidence.

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What is happening

Recent company-specific developments and publisher coverage.

July 17, 2026McDonald's shares are declining toward their 52-week low of $264.09, pressured by a wave of analyst downgrades and growing structural concerns. Redburn Atlantic's rare double-downgrade to Sell — citing GLP-1 weight-loss drugs potentially costing the chain up to 28 million annual visits (~$482M in lost revenue) — sparked the latest leg down, compounded by target cuts from Citigroup ($375→$335), Morgan Stanley ($331→$322), and KeyBanc lowering Q2 same-store sales estimates below consensus ahead of August 4 earnings. The broader market is also selling off on AI sentiment concerns and U.S.-Iran tensions.

-2.1941

July 17, 2026McDonald's shares surged roughly 3.2%, recovering sharply from a two-year low hit the prior session after Redburn Atlantic's sell downgrade — citing GLP-1 drug risks to customer traffic — compounded price target cuts from Citigroup ($375 to $335), Wells Fargo ($320 to $300), and Morgan Stanley. The rebound comes as investors may be viewing the selloff as overdone given the stock's ~20% discount to its 52-week high, an attractive forward P/E near 19.5x below the industry average, and upcoming Q2 earnings that will test whether value-focused menu innovation and global comparable sales momentum can offset traffic headwinds.

3.2119

July 16, 2026McDonald's shares closed down nearly 1.5%, brushing against their 52-week low, as Q2 earnings anxiety mounts ahead of the upcoming report. KeyBanc warned the company may fall slightly short of consensus Q2 estimates amid broad fast-food sector pressures, while Deutsche Bank previously flagged that U.S. comparable sales likely hit a new low in Q2. Adding to the pressure, Citigroup trimmed its price target to $335 from $375 (maintaining Buy), and the stock has now shed about 9% year-to-date — sharply lagging the restaurant industry's modest gains — as investors weigh traffic weakness and inflation headwinds against a resilient brand and a ~2.8% dividend yield.

-1.4836

July 15, 2026McDonald's shares closed modestly lower, underperforming the broader market as a Deutsche Bank note flagged that U.S. comparable sales likely hit a new low in Q2, deepening concerns about traffic weakness. The stock is now down roughly 9% year-to-date, lagging the restaurant industry's 3.5% gain, as inflation pressure on lower- and middle-income consumers strains the value-seeking customer base McDonald's relies on. Despite beating Q1 estimates ($2.83 EPS vs. $2.74 consensus) and launching traffic-driving initiatives including custom beverages and BT21 Happy Meals, analysts hold a cautious "Moderate Buy" consensus with a $338 average target—well above current levels—while recent insider selling and the stock trading near its 52-week low of $264.53 keep sentiment mixed.

-1.3462

July 14, 2026McDonald's closed modestly lower, underperforming the broader restaurant sector as a challenging mix of macro headwinds and company-specific concerns weighed on sentiment. A renewed U.S.-Iran military escalation sent oil prices surging over 4%, rattling equity markets broadly, while a Deutsche Bank note warning that McDonald's U.S. comparable sales likely hit a new low in Q2 added pressure. The stock is now down roughly 9% year-to-date, trading well below its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, and the consensus analyst rating remains a cautious 'Hold' with recent insider selling adding to skepticism despite a Q1 earnings beat.

-0.7247

July 11, 2026McDonald's shares edged down on Friday, underperforming the broader market as Deutsche Bank warned that U.S. comparable sales likely hit a new low in Q2, citing a weak macro backdrop, elevated energy costs from the Iran conflict, and pressure on low-income consumers. While Deutsche Bank maintained its Buy rating and $325 target — noting that much negativity is already priced in and international trends remain relatively stable — sentiment stays cautious ahead of Q2 earnings, with the stock down roughly 9.6% year-to-date and trading near its 52-week low. Near-term marketing catalysts like the BT21 Happy Meal launch and National French Fry Day promotions offer traffic support, but competitive pressure from resurgent rivals like Chili's adds to the challenging backdrop.

-0.6836

July 10, 2026McDonald's shares closed modestly lower, pressured by a confluence of macro headwinds and company-specific concerns. Deutsche Bank cut its price target to $325 from $350 (maintaining Buy) while flagging that U.S. comparable sales likely hit a new low in Q2, weighed down by surging crude and gasoline prices from the renewed U.S.-Iran conflict that dented consumer sentiment. The geopolitical escalation — with Trump declaring the Iran ceasefire "over" — sent oil prices sharply higher, directly weighing on discretionary spending stocks including McDonald's. Looking ahead, Deutsche Bank sees Q2 as a potential trough, with a recovery likely as macro conditions improve and value/marketing initiatives gain traction; the consensus remains "Moderate Buy" with an average target of $335.70.

-0.6325

July 9, 2026McDonald's shares closed modestly lower, pressured by a broad market risk-off sell-off after President Trump declared the U.S.-Iran ceasefire 'over,' sending oil prices surging more than 5% and stoking fresh inflation fears. The macro headwind hit consumer cyclical stocks particularly hard, with the XLY sector ETF also declining. The geopolitical escalation compounds existing headwinds for McDonald's, including franchisee margin pressure, softer U.S. foot traffic, and competition from rivals like Burger King and Popeyes — which have reportedly been gaining U.S. traffic share. Despite the near-term pressure, analysts maintain a consensus 'Moderate Buy' with an average price target of $335.70, citing Q1 EPS of $2.83 that beat estimates, 9.4% revenue growth year-over-year, and a resilient 2.7% dividend yield as reasons for longer-term optimism.

-1.4032

MarketBeat · July 16, 2026Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. Acquires 5,960 Shares of McDonald's Corporation $MCDTradingView · July 15, 2026McDonald's Falls Into Bear Market, Heads For Fifth Straight Monthly Loss Amid Turnaround ConcernsAd Hoc News · July 15, 2026McDonald’s stock holds steady as investors watch growth24/7 Wall St. · June 16, 2026Got $10,000? Starbucks vs. McDonald’s: The Winner for Long-Term InvestorsBarchart.com · June 9, 2026McDonald’s Stock Could Be Bottoming, Creating a Contrarian Bet for Long-Term InvestorsSeeking Alpha · May 15, 2026McDonald's: Buy For Long-Term Investors As Shares Could Re-Rate Due To Accelerating Store GrowthInvesting.com · May 13, 2026Earnings call transcript: McDonald’s Q1 2026 beats EPS forecast, stock dipsStock Titan · May 7, 2026McDonald's passes $34B in quarterly sales, loyalty spending tops $9B
Benzinga · July 17, 2026Tigress Financial Maintains Buy on McDonald's, Raises Price Target to $390
Benzinga · July 16, 2026Wells Fargo Maintains Overweight on McDonald's, Lowers Price Target to $300
Mt Newswire · July 16, 2026Wells Fargo Adjusts Price Target on McDonald's to $300 From $320, Maintains Overweight Rating
Benzinga · July 15, 2026Citigroup Maintains Buy on McDonald's, Lowers Price Target to $335
Mt Newswire · July 15, 2026Citigroup Adjusts Price Target on McDonald's to $335 From $375, Maintains Buy Rating
Benzinga · July 14, 2026Olive Garden Follows McDonald’s Bet on Value: Will Never Ending Pasta Pass Strategy Work?
Mt Newswire · July 9, 2026McDonald's US Sales Likely Hit New Low in Second Quarter, Deutsche Bank Says
Mt Newswire · July 9, 2026Deutsche Bank Adjusts McDonald's Price Target to $325 From $350, Maintains Buy Rating

Peers

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