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On Tuesday, KeyBanc Capital Markets maintained its positive stance on McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) shares, reiterating an Overweight rating and a price target of $340.00. The stock, currently trading at $316.07, sits near its 52-week high of $326.32, reflecting strong market confidence. According to InvestingPro data, McDonald’s maintains a "GOOD" financial health score, supported by consistent dividend payments for 50 consecutive years. This affirmation comes despite the projection that McDonald’s USA might not meet consensus same-store sales (SSS) estimates for the first quarter of 2025. KeyBanc’s own estimates suggest a 2.0% decline compared to the consensus of a 0.7% drop. The company has demonstrated resilience with a revenue growth of 1.67% over the last twelve months, maintaining a healthy gross profit margin of 56.75%.
Eric Gonzalez from KeyBanc expressed continued confidence in the fast-food giant’s performance, particularly looking ahead to the second quarter of 2025, where he anticipates a 3.5% growth in SSS. This optimism is partly based on the successful introduction of the "Minecraft Movie Meal," which, according to Gonzalez, has shown promising results in generating customer trade-ups.
KeyBanc’s recent data, derived from credit and debit card transactions, indicates that McDonald’s had a robust first week following the launch of the themed meal. Reports from industry contacts also suggest that the meal quickly sold out in numerous locations. Gonzalez noted that this momentum is expected to carry on into the spring, bolstered by the planned introduction of new chicken strips to the menu.
The analyst’s remarks underscore the company’s ability to provide superior everyday value while also offering appealing premium products, a strategy that seems to be resonating well with consumers. Despite the anticipated shortfall in the first quarter, the analyst’s outlook for McDonald’s remains positive, with expectations for continued growth in the coming months. Based on InvestingPro analysis, the stock appears slightly overvalued at current levels, though analysts maintain an optimistic consensus with price targets ranging from $280 to $360. Discover more insights and 6 additional ProTips about McDonald’s in the comprehensive Pro Research Report, available exclusively on InvestingPro.
In other recent news, McDonald’s Corporation reported robust first-quarter sales in Japan, with a 3.5% increase in comparable sales, driven by a 2.6% rise in traffic. The growth was supported by a new value campaign and strategic menu price adjustments. KeyBanc Capital Markets adjusted its price target for McDonald’s to $340, maintaining an Overweight rating due to anticipated market share gains and sales recovery in the second quarter of 2025. Meanwhile, Erste Group upgraded McDonald’s stock rating from Hold to Buy, citing the company’s stable operating margin and growth potential. In another development, McDonald’s announced significant executive leadership changes, with Gillian McDonald set to become the Executive Vice President – Global Chief Restaurant Experience Officer, while Manuel JM Steijaert will assume her previous role. Additionally, McDonald’s issued $1.5 billion in medium-term notes to support its financing strategy, a move that reflects its approach to managing capital structure and funding corporate activities. These recent developments highlight McDonald’s strategic maneuvers in both operational and financial domains.
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