On Monday, Citi reaffirmed its Neutral rating on McDonald's Corporation (NYSE:MCD) stock with a steady price target of $280.00. The fast-food giant reported US comparable sales that were slightly better than some investors had anticipated, avoiding a negative low single-digit decline.
However, McDonald's performance in its International Operated Markets (IOM) fell short of expectations, with a 1.1% drop compared to the anticipated increase of 1.5% to 2.1% by Citi and other analysts.
The company's adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) also did not meet the forecasts, coming in 2.1% below Citi's predictions and 2.6% under the consensus estimates. This shortfall was partly attributed to general and administrative expenses, which were a 5% greater burden than Citi had projected.
Citi analysts expect that McDonald's management will express caution regarding the global consumer environment in their upcoming commentary, noting that while value initiatives may boost customer traffic, the product mix could significantly impact profitability.
In other recent news, McDonald's Corporation experienced an unexpected 1% decrease in its second-quarter global sales, marking the first decline in nearly three years. The company's U.S. comparable sales also reported a decline of 0.7% for the quarter ending June 30, while international markets suffered a 1.1% sales drop. McDonald's reported earnings of $2.97 per share on an adjusted basis in the second quarter, lower than the $3.17 earned last year.
In response to recent changes in consumer behavior, McDonald's plans to continue its $5 meal deal into August at most U.S. locations. Analysts from BTIG maintained a neutral rating on McDonald's shares, following an analysis of the company's sales trends and franchise sentiment.
McDonald's also disclosed its financial outcomes for the second quarter and first half of 2024, with specific numbers filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In corporate developments, McDonald's appointed Lauren B. Elting as its new principal accounting officer, effective from October 1, 2024.
Furthermore, McDonald's has been the subject of several analyst adjustments. Citi reduced its price target from $297 to $280 due to the company's underperformance, while BTIG maintained a neutral rating. In legal news, McDonald's lost a trademark dispute in the European Union over the "Big Mac" name for poultry products. These are the recent developments at McDonald's Corporation.
InvestingPro Insights
McDonald's Corporation (NYSE:MCD) has demonstrated resilience with its ability to raise its dividend for 49 consecutive years, reflecting a commitment to returning value to shareholders. This streak is a testament to the company's financial stability and consistent performance over time. As highlighted by InvestingPro Tips, McDonald's trades with low price volatility, which can be an attractive feature for investors seeking stability in their portfolio. Additionally, the company's stock is trading at a low price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio relative to near-term earnings growth, suggesting that it may be undervalued given its growth prospects.
InvestingPro Data provides further insights into McDonald's financial health. The company's market capitalization stands at a robust $181.61 billion, and its P/E ratio is 21.28, adjusting to 20.89 for the last twelve months as of Q1 2024. With a PEG ratio of 0.8, McDonald's growth rate is factored into its valuation at a reasonable level. The revenue growth of 10.04% over the last twelve months indicates a strong top-line expansion, which is a positive sign for the company's future performance.
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