McDonald's Corp stock (US5801351017): valuation metrics in focus after recent share performance

McDonald's shares on the NYSE remain under scrutiny as investors weigh recent price moves and valuation metrics for the US fast-food heavyweight while the broader S&P 500 trades near record levels.

McDonald's shares on the New York Stock Exchange continue to attract attention from US investors, with the stock remaining a heavyweight component of the S&P 500 while the market reassesses valuation after this year's muted performance compared with prior years, according to recent pricing and return data as of late May 2026 from Slickcharts and other market sources.

The stock has delivered a year-to-date return of about -8.08% for 2026 after a 5.43% gain in 2025 and a -2.23% move in 2024, according to Slickcharts as of 05/28/2026, indicating a more volatile performance path over the past three calendar years compared with the broader index.

With a market capitalization of roughly USD 197.44 billion as of 05/28/2026, McDonald's ranks among the larger US consumer discretionary names, even though its equity value is down from a recent level of about USD 221.43 billion reported in March 2026, according to StockAnalysis as of 05/28/2026.

The stock last traded on the NYSE under the ticker MCD in US dollars, and investors in the United States continue to use the NYSE pricing as the primary reference point when comparing the company with other S&P 500 components in the restaurants and fast-food segment.

In Germany, McDonald's can also be traded via off-exchange venues such as Tradegate in euros, offering retail investors in the DACH region an additional access route to the US-based stock alongside the primary NYSE listing, although liquidity and spreads typically remain most favorable in the United States.

As of: 05/29/2026

By the editorial team - specialized in equity coverage.

At a glance

• Name: McDonald's Corporation
• Sector/industry: Restaurants, quick-service fast food
• Headquarters/country: Chicago, United States
• Core markets: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America
• Key revenue drivers: Franchised restaurants, company-operated restaurants, brand licensing and related fees
• Home exchange/listing venue: New York Stock Exchange (MCD)
• Trading currency: USD

McDonald's Corp: core business model

McDonald's operates a global network of primarily franchised quick-service restaurants, generating most of its revenue from franchise fees, rent income and sales at company-operated locations across its key regional markets.

Valuation metrics and multiples for McDonald's Corp

With a market capitalization of about USD 197.44 billion as of 05/28/2026, based on data from StockAnalysis as of 05/28/2026, McDonald's trades at a valuation that reflects its status as a mature global consumer brand with steady cash flows and high margins compared with many other restaurant operators.

While precise real-time price-to-earnings and enterprise-value-to-EBITDA ratios depend on the live share price and the latest trailing financials, recent market-data snapshots from major US financial platforms show McDonald's valued at a premium to some smaller quick-service peers, which investors typically attribute to the group's strong franchise economics, brand scale and consistent dividend track record.

Conclusion

McDonald's remains a major US-listed fast-food group with a substantial NYSE market capitalization and a mixed pattern of annual share returns over the past three years, including a negative year-to-date move in 2026 after gains in 2025. For investors, the stock's valuation metrics continue to be shaped by its resilient franchise-led cash generation and defensive business profile within the broader S&P 500 consumer universe, even as market pricing fluctuates with macro and sector sentiment.

Disclaimer: This article does not constitute investment advice. The comprehensive scope of this informative article was made possible through the use of a.i.. Stocks are volatile financial instruments.