Redburn Atlantic earlier downgraded the shares of blue-chip fast food giant McDonald's Corp (NYSE:MCD) to "sell" form "buy," and cut its price target to $260 from $319.
Drugs like Ozempic pose one of the most critical threats to the restaurant chain's business, Redburn Atlantic says.
Shares of McDonald's (NYSE: MCD) came under fresh pressure after Redburn Atlantic issued a stark downgrade on Tuesday, slashing its price target by nearly 20%.
The fast-food giant's new chicken strips have less breading and appear smaller than past offerings, an analyst argues.
McDonald's is well-positioned to gain market share through value offerings and new product launches despite tough macroeconomic conditions. The margin outlook is positive, with non-recurrence of E. coli-related costs and benefits from operating leverage as sales improve. The stock trades at a discount to its historical average, making it attractive given strong growth prospects and improving fundamentals.
McDonald's snack wraps will return to U.S. restaurants on July 10. The revival of the beloved menu item comes after McDonald's saw same-store sales decline in the first quarter.
McDonald's remains a resilient, cash-generating compounder with a strong moat, despite recent sales dips and consumer spending concerns. The new McValue platform and menu innovation are strategic moves to win back value-conscious customers and drive future growth. Robust cash flow, high margins, and a secure, growing dividend make McDonald's attractive for patient, long-term investors.
McDonald's remains a defensive play, outperforming premium discretionary peers and holding up well versus other retail defensives during downturns. Current macro headwinds, including weaker consumer spending and US same-store sales softness, are cyclical, not structural threats to MCD's business. Long-term growth is underpinned by digital innovation, Gen Z engagement, menu evolution and automation, with global diversification mitigating tariff and geopolitical risks.
McDonald's robust franchise model, digital investments, and global scale drive stable cash flows and leadership in the QSR sector despite macroeconomic pressures. My DCF-based valuation, using conservative assumptions, shows a fair value of $342 per share, offering about 9% upside from current levels. The company maintains high margins, strong free cash flow, and a shareholder-friendly policy with consistent dividend growth and active buybacks.
McDonald's and Yum! Brands are innovating and expanding.
These dividend stocks have recession-resistant businesses and are generally quite stable.
McDonald's is closing its CosMc's spin-off drink shops. CosMc's, which launched in 2023, drew comparisons to coffee shops like Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts.