Why don't we start off with the action that we're seeing uh in the futures, a lot of it being driven by the Broadcom earnings. We had a guest earlier said it's another moment of doubt for the AI trade. Do you agree with that sentiment.And then how do you play this. We have so many moments of doubt even after strong reports. >> Yeah, there's a lot of moments of doubt and it's not just today.It's been over the last couple of weeks and I think that's why we've seen this kind of rethinking around the AI theme. ...

Jim Cramer has built his reputation around energized analysis of growth stocks and whatever is trending at the moment, mostly because that's what his audience wants to know about the most. However, there are some rare cases where he discusses stocks that are more on the "boring†end, like McDonald's (NYSE:MCD). Cramer has not implied that the tech rally is ending, but he does believe that the AI trade is "breaking up†as investors think more critically. Put another way, if you are doubting some AI stocks and ...

Core Insights - McDonald's is addressing the issue of price discrepancies across its franchise locations, particularly in high-cost areas like airports and sports arenas, where prices can be significantly higher than average [1][2][3] Pricing Strategy - The current price for a 10-piece Chicken McNugget Value meal at a local McDonald's is approximately $8, with a regular price around $10, contrasting sharply with airport prices that can exceed $20 [2][3] - McDonald's operates on a franchised model, allowing franchise owners to set their own prices, which can lead to significant variations in meal costs [3] New Franchising Standards - Starting January 1, 2026, McDonald's will enhance its global franchising standards to ensure franchise operators maintain accountability for providing value [5][6] - The company will not adopt a uniform pricing strategy but will assess pricing decisions holistically to ensure value delivery across all locations [6] Market Responsiveness - Franchise operators will have the opportunity to provide local market insights to McDonald's, enabling the corporate team to better evaluate the value proposition at individual restaurants [7] - McDonald's CEO has emphasized the importance of value in the current market, noting that consumers are increasingly price-sensitive and seeking good value for their money [8][9]

Key Takeaways McDonald's is relaunching $5 and $8 Extra Value Meals to repair value perception and lift traffic.McDonald's sees early gains in value scores but notes lower-income visits remain under pressure.McDonald's enters 2026 with stronger value signals, digital tools and menu updates to support traffic.McDonald's Corporation (MCD) is betting big that a comprehensive value reset, centered on revamped Extra Value Meals (EVMs) and a more disciplined national value architecture, can help reverse two years ...

David Ellison, chairman and chief executive officer of Paramount Skydance Corp., center, outside the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, US, on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025.Michael Nagle | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesThis is CNBC's Morning Squawk newsletter. Subscribe here to receive future editions in your inbox.Here are five key things investors need to know to start the trading day:1. One battle after another2. DC's AI movesNvidia H200 chips in an eight-GPU Nvidia HGX system.NvidiaTrump announced yesterday t ...

Core Insights - McDonald's is revising its franchising standards to evaluate franchisees on their pricing effectiveness, starting January 1, 2026, in response to cost-conscious consumer behavior [1][2][3] Group 1: Franchising Standards - The new standards aim to enhance accountability for value leadership across all segments, ensuring consistent value delivery in customer experience [2][3] - Franchisees currently set their own menu prices, with input from external pricing consultants, but will now be assessed on how well they deliver value [2][3] Group 2: Consumer Behavior - There has been a noted decline in spending among lower-income diners, leading to less frequent visits since late 2023 [3][4] - McDonald's has introduced value-led offers in key markets, including the US, France, and Germany, to address this issue [3] Group 3: Financial Performance - For the quarter ending September 30, 2025, McDonald's reported a 3.6% increase in global comparable sales, indicating some resilience despite consumer financial strain [3] Group 4: Franchisee Relations - CEO Chris Kempczinski expressed caution regarding consumer health in the US and major international markets, anticipating continued financial pressures into 2026 [4] - Tensions exist between some franchisees and McDonald's corporate leadership, particularly regarding the new franchising standards [4][5] Group 5: Support for Franchisees - An independent advocacy group has called for McDonald's to help fund discounts to ensure franchisees can remain financially viable [5] - The company is investing in tools to assist franchisees in structuring their value propositions effectively in local markets [6][7]

You can find original article here Nrn. Subscribe to our free daily Nrn newsletters. McDonald’s is “enhancing its global franchising standards” across the entire system to ensure the chain maintains its leadership position on value. The new standards are effective Jan. 1, 2026, and will provide clarity to “ensure every restaurant delivers consistent, reliable value across the full customer experience,” according to an internal memo issued Monday and reported by various news outlets, including the Wall Str ...

麦当劳(MCD.N)：自2026年1月1日起，麦当劳将全面提升在全球所有业务板块的特许经营标准。 本文源自：金融界AI电报 ...

Core Insights - McDonald's is implementing new value deals, such as the McValue Menu, to attract budget-conscious customers amid economic challenges and shifting consumer trends [1] - The company is enhancing its global franchising standards to ensure accountability for value leadership, effective January 1, 2026 [2] - Franchisees, who operate about 95% of McDonald's restaurants, will be assessed on their pricing decisions to ensure they deliver value [3] Franchising Standards - The updated franchising standards aim to provide clarity and ensure consistent value across all restaurants [2] - Noncompliance with these standards could lead to penalties, including restrictions on opening new restaurants or termination of the franchise [2] - The new approach allows franchisees to incorporate local insights into their pricing strategies [3] Market Response - McDonald's has been focusing on value offerings to attract cash-strapped customers, as the restaurant industry shifts towards value-driven deals [4] - The company has successfully reversed same-store sales declines and attracted higher-income diners trading down to fast food [5] - CEO Chris Kempczinski expressed caution regarding ongoing consumer pressure, expecting it to persist into 2026 [6] Franchisee Relations - The changes in standards may create tension with U.S. franchisees, who have previously expressed concerns about the company's policies [7] - An advocacy group of McDonald's operators has called for financial support from the company to sustain discounts for franchisees [7] - McDonald's is also investing in tools to assist franchisees in addressing value in their local markets [8] Support for Franchisees - The company is providing approved pricing consultants and tools to help franchisees make informed pricing decisions [9] - This initiative aims to enhance the overall guest experience while maintaining local market relevance [9]

Core Viewpoint - Analysts have been increasing their price targets for McDonald's stock (MCD), indicating a potential upside of nearly 20% from its current price [1][4]. Price Target Analysis - The current price target for MCD is set at $371 per share, which is 19% higher than its recent closing price of $311.23 [1][4]. - The average price target from 37 analysts is $331.20, up from $330.10, while Barchart's mean survey price target is now $337.53, an increase from $336.43 [4][5]. Financial Performance - McDonald's free cash flow (FCF) is projected to rise to $9 billion next year, reflecting a 22% increase from the trailing 12-month FCF of $7.392 billion [3]. - Using a 29.4x multiple, McDonald's market cap could reach $265 billion over the next 12 months, which is 19.3% higher than its current market cap of $222 billion [4]. Investment Strategies - One suggested strategy is to short out-of-the-money (OTM) puts to generate extra income while setting a lower buy-in point [5][6]. - A specific recommendation includes selling short the $290.00 strike price put option expiring on December 12, 2025, when MCD was trading at $301.47 [7].