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Upturn AI Summary - About
McDonald’s Corporation(MCD)
Advisory History & Simulated Performance *
*as per simulation (see disclosures)- ALL
- 1Y
- 1M
- 1W
- BUY Advisory
- SELL Advisory (Profit)
- SELL Advisory (Loss)
- Profit
- Loss
- PASS (Skip)
Stock price based on last close Advisory Performance History (Simulated)
Upturn Advisory & Investor View for MCD
10/30/2026: MCD (1-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.
McDonald’s Corporation is a global quick-service restaurant company known for its high-margin, franchise-heavy business model. The company maintains a leading position in the industry by leveraging its massive scale, brand recognition, and a strong commitment to digital and delivery innovation. Its primary investment story centers on consistent, moderate growth supported by global unit expansion and efficient operational strategies. Key risks include intense competitive pressures, sensitivity to labor and food cost inflation, and the complexities of managing a decentralized franchise network. The stock may best suit dividend-focused or value-oriented investors, and market participants should monitor digital sales progress and global economic trends affecting consumer spending.
How to Read the Upturn Advisory
The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.
Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.
Investor Fit
| Investor style | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth investor | Mixed fit | McDonald's is a mature company with steady growth rather than the rapid, aggressive expansion typical of growth-focused stocks. |
| Momentum investor | Mixed fit | Momentum potential is conditional on positive market sentiment and sustained earnings beats, which vary with broader economic cycles. |
| Value investor | Strong fit | The company's strong brand, stable cash flows, and consistent dividend history often appeal to value-oriented investors. |
| Dividend investor | Strong fit | With a long track record of annual dividend increases, the stock is a cornerstone for many dividend-focused portfolios. |
| Low-risk investor | Strong fit | McDonald's is generally perceived as a stable, blue-chip stock with lower volatility compared to the broader, more cyclical market. |
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Price volatility | Low | The stock is generally less volatile than the broader market due to its stable, defensive business model. |
| Valuation risk | Medium | High investor demand for stable dividend payers can occasionally drive valuation multiples above historical averages. |
| Competition risk (fast food/QSR) | Medium / high | Intense competition from other QSR and fast-casual brands requires constant innovation and effective marketing to maintain share. |
| Business quality | Strong | The company's massive scale and highly effective franchised business model underpin its strong structural quality. |
| Dividend income | Strong | A long-standing commitment to dividend growth provides high reliability for income-focused investors. |
| Execution risk | Medium | Managing a massive global franchise network requires precise execution to ensure brand consistency and service quality. |
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit 8.62% | Avg. Invested days 42 | Today’s Advisory Consider higher Upturn Star rating |
Upturn Advisory Rating  | Upturn Advisory Performance  3.0 | Stock Returns Performance  2.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 10/30/2026 |
Upturn Scorecard
Upturn Star Rating 
Company Fundamentals
Financial Health Rating
Growth Momentum Score
Ownership
Top 5 Institutional Investors
Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)
Economic Dimensions
Quantitative Style Profile
Style Classification
Quality Focused
Key Highlights
Company Size Large-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 182.66B USD | Price to earnings Ratio 20.97 | 1Y Target Price 291.69 |
Price to earnings Ratio 20.97 | 1Y Target Price 291.69 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 6.0M shares | Beta 0.45 | 52 Weeks Range 229.20 - 335.18 | Updated Date 10/30/2026 |
52 Weeks Range 229.20 - 335.18 | Updated Date 10/30/2026 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) 2.86% | Basic EPS (TTM) 12.31 |
How Company Makes Money
| Business area | What it includes | Retail investor read |
|---|---|---|
| Franchise Revenue | Rent, royalties, and initial fees from franchised restaurants. | This is the primary driver of high margins as franchisees bear the bulk of operating costs. |
| Company-Operated Restaurants | Direct sales of food and beverages at company-owned locations. | These locations provide control and testing ground for new menu items and operational improvements. |
| Global Geography | Operations split into U.S., International Operated Markets, and International Developmental Licensed Markets. | Global diversification helps insulate the company from localized economic downturns in specific regions. |
Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth
Revenue by Products
Product revenue - Year on Year
Revenue by Geography
Geography revenue - Year on Year
Earnings Date
Report Date 2026-11-04 | When Before Market | Estimate 3.36 | Actual - |
Profitability
Profit Margin 31.72% | Operating Margin (TTM) 46.49% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) 13.25% | Return on Equity (TTM) - |
Valuation
Trailing PE 20.97 | Forward PE 18.66 | Enterprise Value 235.90B | Price to Sales(TTM) 6.59 |
Enterprise Value 235.90B | Price to Sales(TTM) 6.59 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 8.52 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 15.65 | Shares Outstanding 707.64M | Shares Floating 706.58M |
Shares Outstanding 707.64M | Shares Floating 706.58M | ||
Percent Insiders 0.26 | Percent Institutions 76.53 |
Financial Metrics
🧭 Investment Snapshot
Total Revenue (Scale)
Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.
Net Income (Profit)
Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.
Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)
Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.
📈 Growth & Strength
Operating Income (Core Profit)
Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.
EBITDA (Cash Earnings)
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.
Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)
Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.
🛡️ Financial Safety
Cash (Liquidity Buffer)
Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.
Total Debt (Leverage Risk)
Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.
Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)
Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.
🧱 Balance Sheet Strength
Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)
Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.
Total Assets (Asset Base)
The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.
Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)
Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.
⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors
Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)
Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.
Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)
Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.
Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)
Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.
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