Core Viewpoint - McDonald's is anticipated to report declining same-store sales for the second consecutive quarter, influenced by an E. coli outbreak and cautious consumer behavior [2][3]. Group 1: Earnings Expectations - Analysts expect McDonald's to report earnings per share of $2.66 and revenue of $6.09 billion for the first quarter [5]. Group 2: Sales Performance - The company has faced rocky sales in recent quarters, particularly in the U.S. market, which is seen as a consumer bellwether [1]. - CFO Ian Borden indicated that the first quarter would likely be the low point for same-store sales, attributing this to a weak start in the U.S. and external factors such as trade conflicts and tariffs [3]. Group 3: Strategic Initiatives - McDonald's plans to focus on value meals and popular menu items, such as the return of snack wraps, to attract customers back to its restaurants [4]. - Despite the challenges, McDonald's shares have increased by 15% this year, raising its market value to nearly $26 billion [4].

McDonald’s Corp MCD will report its first-quarter earnings on Thursday. Wall Street expects $2.66 in EPS and $6.09 billion in revenues as the company reports before market hours.The stock is up 16.11% over the past year, 8.38% year-to-date.Let’s examine the charts for McDonald’s stock and how it currently compares to Wall Street estimates.Read Also: Domino’s Pizza Earnings Miss: 3 ETFs That Could Still Deliver Tasty Returns In 2025MCD Stock Strongly Bullish Ahead Of Q1 EarningsChart created using Benzinga P ...

Parkev Tatevosian, CFA has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Parkev Tatevosian is an affiliate of The Motley Fool and may be compensated for promoting its services. If you choose to subscribe through his link, he will earn some extra money that supports his channel. His opinions remain his own and are unaffected by The Motley Fool. ...

It’s been six months since I last wrote about McDonald's Corporation (NYSE: MCD ). During this time, the company has released its annual results. There are many interesting things to discuss about the fiscal yearQuality Growth Investor. I have the simplest of tastes, I only like the best. Here I will analyze the companies in my investment universe. I am looking for the best businesses in the world in order to create a long term portfolio that can outperform the market.Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stoc ...

McDonald's (MCD) closed at $312.48 in the latest trading session, marking a -1.14% move from the prior day. This move lagged the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.17%. Meanwhile, the Dow experienced a drop of 0.39%, and the technology-dominated Nasdaq saw a decrease of 0.05%.Coming into today, shares of the world's biggest hamburger chain had gained 3.98% in the past month. In that same time, the Retail-Wholesale sector lost 2.42%, while the S&P 500 lost 3.94%.Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close ey ...

Core Viewpoint - McDonald's Corporation (MCD) is experiencing a bullish trend, with stock performance outperforming industry peers and broader market indices, driven by strategic initiatives and global expansion efforts [1][5][20]. Group 1: Stock Performance - MCD's stock closed at $316.07, above its 50-day moving average of $305.19 and 200-day moving average of $288.64, indicating a bullish trend [1]. - Over the past three months, MCD shares have gained 13%, significantly outperforming the Zacks Retail - Restaurants industry's 0.6% rise and the S&P 500 index's 9.3% decline [5]. - MCD has outperformed competitors such as Restaurant Brands International (QSR), Wendy's (WEN), and Chipotle (CMG) during the same period [8]. Group 2: Global Expansion Strategy - McDonald's is focused on expanding its global presence, opening 2,116 restaurants in 2024, up from 2,067 in 2023, as part of its Accelerating the Arches strategy [10]. - The company plans to open 2,200 restaurants globally in 2025, contributing over 4% to new unit growth, and aims for a total of 50,000 restaurants by the end of 2027 [11]. Group 3: Menu Innovation and Customer Engagement - McDonald's is enhancing its core menu offerings and customer experience, launching the McValue platform in January 2025 to provide better value and options [12]. - The company is improving delivery services, with delivery sales mix doubling in Australia, Canada, and the U.S., and aims for 30% of system-wide delivery sales to come from its mobile app by 2027 [13]. Group 4: Loyalty Program and Digital Initiatives - Since launching its loyalty program, McDonald's has seen over 170 million 90-day active users, with sales to loyalty members reaching $30 billion in 2024 [15]. - The company aims to expand its active user base to 250 million and achieve $45 billion in annual sales by 2027, driven by digital adoption [15]. Group 5: Earnings Outlook - Analysts have increased the Zacks Consensus Estimate for McDonald's 2025 EPS from $12.23 to $12.25, indicating a 4.5% year-over-year increase, with further growth anticipated in 2026 [17]. - McDonald's is currently valued at a premium with a forward 12-month P/E ratio of 25.21X, slightly above the industry average of 25.12X, reflecting its strong market position and growth potential [18].

Core Viewpoint - McDonald's is currently facing investor reassessment due to mixed financial performance and pressures impacting sales, yet it remains a key stock with significant strengths and growth opportunities [2][3][18]. Financial Performance - For FY 2024, McDonald's consolidated revenues reached $25.9 billion, a 2% increase year-over-year, while global comparable sales saw a slight decline of 0.1% [6]. - The U.S. market experienced a 0.2% increase for the year but a 1.4% decline in Q4, primarily due to a decrease in average check amounts [4]. - International Operated Markets (IOM) decreased by 0.2% for the year, remaining flat in Q4, while International Developmental Licensed Markets (IDL) saw a 0.3% decline for the year but a 4.1% increase in Q4 [5]. - Full-year diluted earnings per share (EPS) was $11.39, a 1% decrease, while adjusted diluted EPS was $11.72, down 2% [6]. Digital Strategy - McDonald's has been building a strong digital ecosystem, with the MyMcDonald's Rewards program achieving over 175 million active users and a 15% increase in user engagement year-over-year [7]. - The loyalty program generated $30 billion in systemwide sales in 2024, a 30% increase from the previous year, with $8 billion in sales in Q4 alone [8]. Shareholder Returns - McDonald's has a dividend yield of 2.29%, with an annual dividend of $7.08 and a track record of 49 consecutive years of dividend increases [10]. - The company produced $6.67 billion in free cash flow in FY 2024, supporting dividends and share buybacks, with approximately $2.82 billion worth of stock repurchased [11]. Competitive Advantages - McDonald's brand is globally recognized, and its operational scale allows for increased efficiency and a dominant market presence [14]. - The company operates a heavily franchised model (around 95%), generating consistent high-margin royalty and rent income [15]. Growth Opportunities - Continued expansion and improvements in digital and loyalty platforms are expected to increase customer engagement and sales [16]. - Ongoing menu innovations and tactical value offerings aim to drive traffic and address affordability concerns among consumers [16]. Market Position - McDonald's currently trades at a trailing P/E ratio of around 26.7 and a forward P/E ratio near 24.8, indicating market expectations for continued earnings growth [12]. - Analysts generally rate the stock as a moderate buy, with an average 12-month price target of $322.87, suggesting modest upside potential from the current price [12].

Core Viewpoint - McDonald's Corporation (MCD) has shown strong stock performance, gaining 7.8% year-to-date, outperforming its industry peers and broader market indices [1][4]. Company Performance - Following a significant E. coli outbreak, McDonald's has regained consumer confidence by prioritizing food safety and removing the problematic supplier from its supply chain [3]. - The company has effectively implemented its "Accelerating the Arches" strategy, menu innovations, and value offerings, contributing to its positive performance [3][10]. - McDonald's has outperformed competitors like Restaurant Brands International (5.5% gain), Wendy's (7.9% decline), and Chipotle (15.5% decline) year-to-date [4]. Earnings Estimates - The 2025 earnings estimate for McDonald's has increased by 0.1% over the past 30 days, with a projected year-over-year growth of 4.5% [5]. - Current earnings estimates for 2025 are $12.25 per share, with a slight upward revision from previous estimates [6]. Growth Strategies - McDonald's aims to enhance guest counts by focusing on food quality, convenience, and value, with initiatives like the McValue platform launched in January 2025 [8][10]. - The company plans to open approximately 2,200 new restaurants globally in 2025, targeting a total of 50,000 by 2027, emphasizing global expansion as a key growth strategy [11]. - Increased focus on delivery services and digital engagement is expected to drive sales, with a goal of achieving 30% of system-wide delivery sales through its mobile app by 2027 [12]. Valuation - McDonald's stock is currently trading at a discount compared to industry peers based on a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, making it an attractive option for investors [13]. Analyst Sentiment - Analysts are optimistic about McDonald's, with 22 out of 37 recommendations rated as Strong Buy, leading to an Average Brokerage Recommendation (ABR) of 1.74 [17]. - The average price target for McDonald's stock is $331.1 per share, indicating a potential upside of 5.9% from current levels [17].

Group 1: Market Overview - U.S. stocks are currently experiencing volatility, with the S&P 500 down 3.6% year to date despite optimistic forecasts for 2025 [1] - High-performing tech stocks, particularly those involved in the AI sector, have faced significant struggles in the first quarter of the year [1] Group 2: Dividend Stocks as a Strategy - Dividend stocks can provide stability in uncertain market conditions, offering regular distributions to shareholders regardless of broader market performance [2] Group 3: PepsiCo (PEP) - PepsiCo offers a 3.7% dividend yield and trades at 17.5 times forward earnings, which is a discount compared to the S&P 500's 19.7 multiple [4] - The company has raised its dividend for 53 consecutive years, with a five-year dividend growth rate of 7.2%, surpassing the elite growth rate benchmark of 6% [5] - PepsiCo's diversified portfolio in beverages and snacks helps mitigate risks from changing consumer preferences and supports consistent dividend growth [6][7] - The company's global distribution network and strategic acquisitions enhance its competitive position and relevance in evolving markets [8] Group 4: McDonald's (MCD) - McDonald's is recognized as a major real estate company that operates a fast-food chain, justifying its premium valuation of 24.8 times forward earnings [9] - The company has a current yield of 2.3%, but its dividend growth rate has been 7.4% annually over the past five years, potentially doubling the yield on original investment within a decade [10] - McDonald's unique business model, owning approximately 70% of its restaurant locations, provides a stable income stream through rent paid by franchisees, contributing to a moderate payout ratio of 59.5% [11][12] - The brand's global expansion and technology investments position it well for future growth while maintaining dividend security [13]

Core Concept - McDonald's is launching a limited-time collaboration with the upcoming film "A Minecraft Movie," featuring special meals and collectibles that enhance the gaming experience for fans [1][2][8]. Product Offerings - The "A Minecraft Movie Meal" includes a choice of a Big Mac or 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, medium fries, a drink, and a limited-edition collectible [4][6]. - The "A Minecraft Movie Happy Meal" features one of 12 film-inspired figurines or Block World toys, along with a scannable code for an exclusive digital game [5][6]. Digital and In-Game Experiences - Each "A Minecraft Movie Meal" comes with one of six collectibles inspired by McDonald's characters and menu items, which can unlock exclusive skins in the Minecraft Marketplace [6][7]. - Purchasing through the McDonald's App provides a one-time redeemable code for the McDonald's Add-On pack in Minecraft, enhancing gameplay with additional characters and tools [7]. Marketing Strategy - The campaign aims to create an immersive experience that resonates with both McDonald's and Minecraft fan bases, leveraging existing fan creativity within the game [8]. - The promotion is set to begin on April 1, 2025, coinciding with the film's release on April 4, 2025 [2][10]. Company Background - McDonald's operates over 40,000 locations in more than 100 countries, with approximately 95% of its restaurants owned by independent local business owners [9].