McDonaldsMCDTOP PICKJul 15, 2024Stock price when the opinion was issued
As of Jun 04, 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.
Was on her watchlist for a while. Pulled back, down 15% YTD, so she added to client portfolios about a week and a half ago. Global, 100 countries, 41K units. Very profitable business model of 94% franchised. So franchisees pay a royalty percentage of topline sales plus, uniquely, rent for the buildings and land (39% of total revenue). Cashflows are visible and defensible. Yield is 2.63%, dividend increases for 45 consecutive years.
(Analysts’ price target is $305.87)Quick service has lagged due to higher unemployment, diminishing savings, price increases. Renewed focus on value, scale helps them accomplish this.