1 Wall Street Analyst Thinks McDonald's Stock Is Going to $349. Is It a Buy Around $310?

Core Viewpoint - McDonald's reported a miss on both revenue and profitability for Q4 2024, yet analysts, including Jefferies' Andy Barish, have become more optimistic about the company's future prospects [1][3]. Group 1: Analyst Reactions - Following the earnings report, Barish raised his price target for McDonald's shares by $4, setting a new target of$349, which is 13% above the stock's closing price at that time [2]. - Despite the company's underperformance against analyst consensus estimates, Barish maintained a buy recommendation on McDonald's shares [2][3]. Group 2: Performance Insights - The decline in U.S. same-restaurant sales was largely anticipated by investors, which may have mitigated negative sentiment [4]. - McDonald's exceeded average estimates for same-restaurant international revenue, indicating strong potential for growth in key metrics [4]. Group 3: Growth Initiatives - The company has effectively executed several long-term growth initiatives, including the rollout of a labor- and time-saving kiosk ordering system [5]. - McDonald's remains a leader in its niche, suggesting continued success and growth opportunities in the future [5].