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Research Alert: CFRA Upgrades Opinion On Shares Of Mcdonald's Corp To Buy From Hold

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-- CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:

We cut our target by $33 to $317, 24x our 2026 EPS estimate and in line with the shares' ten-year average forward multiple. We lower our 2026 EPS view to $13.21 from $13.44 and 2027's to $14.11 from $14.27. We upgrade MCD from Hold to Buy. Shares trade at a 12% discount to their ten-year forward average, creating an attractive entry point despite near-term margin headwinds from restaurant operating costs, particularly beef costs. We expect margin normalization as traffic gains scale and value messaging matures. Q1 results outperformed on total revenue, global comps, and adjusted EPS, with developed market comps of +3.9%, improving 490 bps sequentially, and developing markets maintaining momentum at +3.4%. In our view, results suggest value positioning is resonating globally and driving traffic recovery. MCD's category expansion into chicken and beverages provides incremental growth optionality, while >80% free cash flow conversion supports continued investment in restaurant development and shareholder returns.

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