KeyBanc Sees Strong U.S. Quarter for McDonald’s (MCD) Amid Choppy Industry Backdrop

On January 9, KeyBanc expert Eric Gonzalez raised McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) terms people to $340 from $335 and maintained an Overweight standing connected the stock. KeyBanc said Q4 2025 looked similar a beardown 4th for McDonald’s US. The steadfast believes the institution executed good connected its worth strategy and utilized its selling strengths to basal retired during what it described arsenic a choppy play for the broader fast-food industry.

Based connected its proprietary information and caller conversations crossed the industry, KeyBanc expects McDonald’s US apt delivered same-store income maturation supra statement estimates. The steadfast besides noted that Extra Value Meal subsidies look to beryllium coming successful little than expected, which could make upside to EPS.

In a abstracted January 7 CNBC report, Oppenheimer said McDonald’s shares person been stagnant for an extended period, creating what it sees arsenic an charismatic introduction constituent for investors. The steadfast upgraded the banal to Outperform from Perform.

Analyst Brian Bittner besides acceptable a $355 terms target, which implies astir 17% upside from existent levels. He described the setup arsenic a “golden opportunity,” noting that the upgrade comes aft helium stayed connected the sidelines for astir 2 years. Bittner added that McDonald’s portion maturation is being underestimated. He said the institution has stayed connected gait with its 4% maturation people portion galore peers person fallen short. He besides argued that statement expectations bash not afloat bespeak the spot of McDonald’s innovation pipeline. That includes the rollout of an updated beverage platform. Bittner further said the Street appears to beryllium overlooking immoderate stabilization oregon betterment successful the low-end consumer.

McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) is simply a planetary foodservice retailer operating crossed the US, International Operated Markets, and International Developmental Licensed Markets & Corporate segments.

While we admit the imaginable of MCD arsenic an investment, we judge definite AI stocks connection greater upside imaginable and transportation little downside risk. If you’re looking for an highly undervalued AI banal that besides stands to payment importantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, spot our escaped study connected the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: Dividend Contenders List: Top 20 Stocks and 12 Most Profitable Dividend Stocks to Buy successful 2026

Disclosure: None.