McDonald's (NYSE:MCD) Stock Price Expected to Rise, JPMorgan Chase & Co. Analyst Says

Key Points

• JPMorgan raised McDonald’s price target from $250 to $270 and maintained an Overweight rating, though the new target was about 2.9% below the stock’s then-current price.
• McDonald’s quarterly EPS of $3.57 beat estimates of $3.38, but revenue of $7.16 billion missed forecasts; U.S. comparable sales declined 0.2%, tempering the earnings result.
• Analysts overall remained positive, with a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and an average price target of $297.52.

McDonald's (NYSE:MCD - Get Free Report) had its price target hoisted by equities research analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $250.00 to $270.00 in a note issued to investors on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The firm presently has an "overweight" rating on the fast-food giant's stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co.'s price objective would suggest a potential downside of 2.90% from the stock's current price.

Several other equities analysts have also weighed in on MCD. Evercore cut their target price on McDonald's from $320.00 to $300.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, September 24th. UBS Group restated a "buy" rating on shares of McDonald's in a research report on Monday, October 19th. Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on McDonald's from $308.00 to $297.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, September 28th. Daiwa Securities Group cut their price target on shares of McDonald's from $309.00 to $293.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, August 6th. Finally, Freedom Capital raised shares of McDonald's from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 5th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have assigned a Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $297.52.

McDonald's Price Performance

Shares of McDonald's stock traded down $2.16 on Thursday, hitting $278.06. 7,298,837 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,358,852. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $248.20 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $282.85. The stock has a market capitalization of $196.77 billion, a PE ratio of 22.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.01 and a beta of 0.42. McDonald's has a one year low of $229.20 and a one year high of $341.75.

McDonald's (NYSE:MCD - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 4th. The fast-food giant reported $3.57 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.38 by $0.19. McDonald's had a negative return on equity of 572.06% and a net margin of 31.72%. The business had revenue of $7.16 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.28 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $3.22 EPS. The firm's revenue was up 1.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts forecast that McDonald's will post 12.82 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On McDonald's

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of MCD. GKV Capital Management Co. Inc. bought a new position in shares of McDonald's during the first quarter valued at $33,000. POM Investment Strategies LLC boosted its stake in McDonald's by 46.2% in the 2nd quarter. POM Investment Strategies LLC now owns 174 shares of the fast-food giant's stock worth $47,000 after purchasing an additional 55 shares in the last quarter. Westfuller Advisors LLC grew its position in McDonald's by 140.0% during the 2nd quarter. Westfuller Advisors LLC now owns 180 shares of the fast-food giant's stock valued at $49,000 after purchasing an additional 105 shares during the last quarter. Burkett Financial Services LLC grew its position in McDonald's by 2,312.5% during the 3rd quarter. Burkett Financial Services LLC now owns 193 shares of the fast-food giant's stock valued at $45,000 after purchasing an additional 185 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Main Street Group LTD bought a new stake in McDonald's during the 1st quarter valued at about $64,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.29% of the company's stock.

Key Stories Impacting McDonald's

Here are the key news stories impacting McDonald's this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Third-quarter adjusted EPS of $3.57 beat expectations, supported by stronger franchised margins and international growth. The profit beat helped drive the recent rally, although revenue of $7.16 billion missed forecasts. Article: McDonald's Q3 Earnings Beat, but U.S. Traffic Still Pressures Growth
• Positive Sentiment: Citigroup raised its price target to $315 with a Buy rating; KeyCorp and Wells Fargo also lifted targets and maintained favorable ratings, signaling continued analyst optimism. Citigroup analyst recommendations
• Neutral Sentiment: McDonald’s is testing new value-menu options at 1,900 U.S. restaurants, with a possible national rollout in early 2027. The affordability push could help attract diners, but its sales impact remains unproven. Article: McDonald's plans new value menu offerings next year to boost sluggish sales
• Negative Sentiment: U.S. comparable sales fell 0.2%—the first decline in six quarters—as customers remain pressured by living costs. That domestic weakness and the revenue miss temper the earnings beat. Article: McDonald's US sales decline for first time in six quarters despite value push
• Negative Sentiment: Oppenheimer warned that technical indicators look stretched after MCD surged more than 20% in a month, raising the risk of a near-term pause or pullback. Article: McDonald's Stock Rally Runs Into Wall Street Warning
• Negative Sentiment: The U.S. chief marketing officer is stepping down as sales decline; two executives will share the role on an interim basis while the company searches for a replacement. Article: McDonald’s US CMO steps down as sales decline

McDonald's Company Profile

McDonald’s Corporation is a global quick-service restaurant company that operates and franchises restaurants under the McDonald’s brand. Its restaurants serve a menu that includes hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches, French fries, breakfast items, desserts, salads, beverages and coffee. Offerings vary by market, and many locations provide drive-thru service, delivery and digital ordering through the McDonald’s mobile app.

The company operates through a heavily franchised business model, with restaurants owned and operated by independent franchisees, affiliates and the company itself.

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