September 22, 2025 a 05:01 pm
MCD: Analysts Ratings - McDonald's Corporation
McDonald's Corporation, a global leader in the fast-food industry, has been under analysts' scrutiny with varying market sentiments. Recent trends indicate a shift towards a more cautious stance, reflected in the distribution of analyst ratings over time. Observing these trends offers insights into market confidence and future stock performance potential for investors.
Historical Stock Grades
In September 2025, the distribution of analyst ratings for McDonald's Corporation suggests a moderately optimistic sentiment. Here are the latest figures:
| Rating | Count | Score Visualization |
|---|---|---|
| Strong Buy | 3 | |
| Buy | 14 | |
| Hold | 16 | |
| Sell | 2 | |
| Strong Sell | 0 |
Description: Historical trend of analyst ratings for McDonald's Corporation.
Description: Stock performance chart for McDonald's Corporation.
Sentiment Development
Over recent months, there's been a noticeable transition in analyst ratings for McDonald's Corporation, indicating a shift towards caution:
- There is a decrease in 'Strong Buy' recommendations from 10 in mid-2024 to 3 in September 2025.
- The number of 'Hold' recommendations has gradually increased, suggesting growing caution among analysts.
- The total number of recommendations has remained relatively stable, though there is a visible increase in 'Hold' ratings.
Percentage Trends
Analyzing the percentage distribution of analyst ratings reveals significant trends:
- 'Strong Buy' ratings reduced from representing around 28% in July 2024 to about 10% by September 2025.
- 'Hold' ratings increased, indicating a shift towards more conservative assessments of the stock.
- The balance between 'Buy' and 'Hold' ratings suggests a balanced, albeit cautious, market view.
- Reduction in aggressive ratings ('Strong Buy') indicates possible market uncertainty or recalibration of growth expectations.
Latest Analyst Recommendations
The latest analyst recommendations provide insights into the current sentiment towards McDonald's stock:
| Date | New Recommendation | Last Recommendation | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-09-17 | Buy | Buy | Citigroup |
| 2025-09-04 | Outperform | Outperform | BMO Capital |
| 2025-08-22 | Hold | Hold | Stifel |
| 2025-08-08 | Outperform | Outperform | Evercore ISI Group |
| 2025-08-07 | Overweight | Overweight | Keybanc |
Analyst Recommendations with Change of Opinion
Recent changes in analyst opinions reveal market dynamics:
| Date | New Recommendation | Last Recommendation | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-07-10 | Buy | Neutral | Goldman Sachs |
| 2025-06-13 | Hold | Buy | Argus Research |
| 2025-06-10 | Sell | Buy | Redburn Atlantic |
| 2025-06-09 | Equal Weight | Overweight | Morgan Stanley |
| 2025-06-06 | Hold | Buy | Loop Capital |
Interpretation
The recent analyst ratings suggest a cautious view of McDonald's stock, likely driven by shifting market expectations or external factors influencing the sector. The notable drop in 'Strong Buy' ratings and the increased preference for 'Hold' recommendations indicate a stabilizing sentiment. While this might reflect some uncertainty, the continued presence of 'Buy' ratings highlights resilience within market confidence. Analysts appear to remain optimistic about the company's core business but are mindful of potential economic pressures or competitive challenges.
Conclusion
In summary, McDonald's Corporation faces a nuanced analyst landscape. The decline in aggressive buy ratings and an increase in more conservative positions indicate an evolving market sentiment. Potential risks include market fluctuations or competitive dynamics affecting performance. Nevertheless, McDonald's stable business model and global presence continue to anchor its position as a resilient investment opportunity despite the current conservative shift in sentiment.