McDonaldsMCDBUYJun 05, 2017Stock price when the opinion was issued
As of Jun 23, 2026. Market Open.
Half its business is NA, half international. Not a huge amount of growth, perhaps 5-6%. EPS growth of 7-8%. Opens a few new stores a year. More of a landlord, with over 90% franchised. Very high ROIC.
Only 20x PE today, down from historically high 20s. In his world, it's a staple not discretionary :) Yield is 2.65%.
Was downgraded last Friday and today over fears they won't meet expectations this quarter, including disappointment over MCD's new chicken strips dish, that it won't turn things around. Rather, customer prefer heavily breaded chicken and the find these strips ugly. However, history says it has never paid to downgrade MCD. It's the king, offering good value and is highly well-run. The CEO will figure it out.
It is one of the few fast food companies that continue to do well. They are growing their bottom line earnings pretty quickly for what they are doing. This management knows how to adapt to the changing demographics. It is one of the few that will continue to do well and it is global.