McDonald's (MCD) has received quite a bit of attention from Zacks.com users lately. Therefore, it is wise to be aware of the facts that can impact the stock's prospects.
The restaurant sector has often been at the forefront of the debate on the K-shaped economy. While consumer sentiment continues to diverge from actual consumer behavior (especially in the retail sector), the food service industry is a setting in which divergent trends become apparent quickly.
McDonald's saw its same-store sales climb in Q4 and it's off to a good start in 2026. The company has long thrived in periods where value and promotions have reigned.
McDonald's NYSE: MCD share price uptrend is intact, at least that's what the Q4 earnings report indicates. The company reported significant strengths, underpinned by accelerated comp-store growth, driven by its value proposition and store count increases.
Budget-conscious Americans are returning to McDonald's as the fast-food giant doubles down on value meals, discounted bundles and limited-time promotions aimed at stretching diners' dollars.
MCD posts Q4 EPS and revenue beat as global comps rise year over year on strong U.S. and international momentum.
Paycom (PAYC) barely beat on earnings as shares tumbled on guidance that underwhelmed investors. McDonald's (MCD) managed to show it can make profits off its value meal.
McDonald's Corp (NYSE:MCD, XETRA:MDO) reported fourth-quarter revenue and comparable sales that exceeded analysts' expectations, driven by its US traffic and the continued popularity of value meals. Revenue rose 10% year-on-year to $7.01 billion, surpassing the $6.81 billion forecast, while earnings per share matched estimates at $3.03, up from $2.80 a year earlier.
McDonald's comps accelerated to 5.7% in Q4 (U.S. +6.8%), confirming regained momentum — but price and promotions remain key drivers. Margins held near 45–46%, despite heavier marketing and value programs in H2. The model remains resilient. Valuation reflects 3–5% growth, implying limited upside unless MCD becomes a defensive capital magnet in a risk-off market.
While the top- and bottom-line numbers for McDonald's (MCD) give a sense of how the business performed in the quarter ended December 2025, it could be worth looking at how some of its key metrics compare to Wall Street estimates and year-ago values.
McDonald's Corporation (MCD) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
McDonald's (MCD) came out with quarterly earnings of $3.12 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.05 per share. This compares to earnings of $2.83 per share a year ago.