McDonald's(US:MCD) ZACKS·2025-02-27 15:50Valuation and Performance - McDonald's current valuation is attractive, trading at a discount compared to Retail-Restaurant industry peers, with a forward 12-month P/E ratio of 24.51X, below the industry average of 27.05X and the broader Retail-Wholesale sector's 24.95X [1] - In the past three months, McDonald's stock gained 3.1%, underperforming the sector's 5.4% growth but surpassing the industry's 1.4% growth and the S&P 500 index's 0.4% decline [4] Impact of E. coli Outbreak - The E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald's Quarter Pounder burgers led to 10 hospitalizations and one fatality, significantly impacting consumer confidence [6][8] - U.S. comparable sales in Q4 2024 declined by 1.4%, contrasting with a 4.3% growth in the same quarter the previous year, while global comp sales increased by only 0.4% compared to a 3.4% rise in the year-ago quarter [8] Strategic Initiatives and Recovery - McDonald's is focusing on food safety and has taken prompt action by removing the implicated supplier from its supply chain, which is expected to help regain consumer trust [7][14] - The company anticipates recovering from the negative impacts of the outbreak by Q2 2025, driven by strategic initiatives and a focus on customer engagement [14][19] Growth Prospects - Despite inflationary pressures, McDonald's earnings estimate for 2025 indicates a 4.4% year-over-year growth, reflecting a positive sentiment among investors [10] - The launch of the McValue platform and the loyalty program, which has over 170 million active users, is expected to enhance customer engagement and drive sales growth [15][19] Market Position and Competitive Edge - McDonald's is the world's largest fast-food chain, with a presence in over 100 countries, benefiting from strong brand recognition and successful product innovation [13] - The company operates more than 27,000 drive-thru locations globally, which are a primary sales driver, and is enhancing the delivery experience through digital initiatives [16][17]