McDonald's $5 value meal restored low-income traffic but pressured franchisee margins, with the value-versus-margin tension defining 2026 financial outlook. International markets (China, France, Middle East) remain pressured by macro and geopolitical headwinds. Digital and delivery channel growth durable. Real estate moat and royalty-stream business model deserve premium but US traffic trends are key swing factor. Watch franchisee unit profitability.
Thesis reviewed May 29, 2026
McDonald's Corporation is headquartered in United States, which is currently showing moderate signals.
🇺🇸United States67NEUTRALView United States risk detail →🛍Consumer22NEUTRAL| Ticker | Company | Score | Gap | Signal Δ | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LI | Li Auto Inc | 27 | +7% | ↑2% | NEUTRAL |
| PDD | PDD Holdings Inc | 27 | -4% | ↑2% | AVOID |
| NIO | NIO Inc | 27 | -10% | ↑2% | AVOID |
| JD | JD.com Inc | 27 | +13% | ↑2% | EARLY |
| DEO | Diageo PLC | 27 | +8% | ↑2% | NEUTRAL |
| ULVR.L | Unilever | 27 | — | ↑2% | NEUTRAL |
| BTI | British American Tobacco PLC | 27 | +14% | ↑2% | EARLY |
Investors who hold MCD may also have indirect exposure through these country funds.
McDonald's $5 value meal extended through 2026, restoring low-income traffic
Middle East boycott impact on French and German comps persists
Estimates · Yahoo Finance · Not audited figures
| Politician | Party | Type | Amount | Trade Date | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alan Armstrong | Buy | $1k–$15k | Mar 27, 26 | ||
| Jared MoskowitzFL | D | Buy | $1k–$15k | Mar 31, 26 | -4.9% |
| Sheldon Whitehouse | Sell | $15k–$50k | Jan 9, 26 | -13.3% | |
| Julie JohnsonTX | D | Buy | $1k–$15k | Dec 18, 25 | -9.0% |
| Jared MoskowitzFL | D | Buy | $1k–$15k | Nov 8, 24 | -4.7% |
| Thomas H Tuberville | Sell | $15k–$50k | Oct 29, 24 | -1.2% | |
| Kevin HernOK | R | Buy | Unknown amount | Oct 29, 24 | -1.2% |
| Josh GottheimerNJ | D | Buy | $1k–$15k | Sep 10, 24 | -4.7% |
| John JamesMI | R | Buy | $1k–$15k | Sep 4, 24 | -0.2% |
| John JamesMI | R | Buy | Unknown amount | Sep 2, 24 | +0.7% |
| Jared MoskowitzFL | D | Buy | $1k–$15k | Jul 14, 23 | +0.3% |
| Jared MoskowitzFL | D | Buy | $1k–$15k | Dec 28, 23 | +0.3% |
| Sheldon Whitehouse | Sell | $1k–$15k | Jul 3, 24 | +0.3% | |
| C. Scott FranklinFL | R | Buy | $1k–$15k | Aug 7, 24 | +1.8% |
| C. Scott FranklinFL | R | Buy | $1k–$15k | Aug 2, 24 | +1.8% |
| Josh GottheimerNJ | D | Buy | $1k–$15k | Jul 9, 24 | +5.8% |