McDonald's stock faces US sales pressure after third-quarter beat

McDonald's reported a mixed third quarter on Wednesday, November 4, as international growth supported the business while U.S. comparable sales declined. In its third-quarter results, the company said global comparable sales increased 1.5%, led by a 4.2% gain in international developmental licensed markets and a 1.4% rise in international operated markets. U.S. comparable sales fell 0.2%.

Consolidated revenue increased 1%, while operating income rose 7%. Diluted earnings per share reached 3.51 US dollars, compared with 3.18 US dollars a year earlier. Excluding 0.06 US dollars per share in restructuring charges tied primarily to the Accelerating the Organization program, adjusted diluted earnings per share was 3.57 US dollars, up 11% on the company's comparison.

U.S. strategy faces pressure

The U.S. sales decline keeps customer traffic and value offers at the center of the investment case. McDonald's said performance improved as the quarter progressed after its intervention on value, but the domestic market remained weaker than the international operations that lifted the group result.

The company also declared a 4% increase in its quarterly cash dividend to 1.93 US dollars per share. The higher payout adds a shareholder-return element to a quarter in which earnings growth and U.S. demand developed in different directions.

A second management development emerged on Thursday, November 5. Marketing Dive reported that Alyssa Buetikofer, McDonald's U.S. chief marketing and customer experience officer, will leave next month. Morgan Flatley will serve as interim chief creative officer, while Charlie Newberger will become interim senior vice president for U.S. marketing and commercial operations. Buetikofer is expected to remain through December 18 to support the transition.

The real-time quote of McDonald's stock was 248.05 euros on Lang & Schwarz at 10:53 CET on Saturday, November 7, 2026.

For the wider market backdrop, investors can follow the S&P 500 alongside consumer and restaurant shares.

More news and analyses on McDonald's stock will remain focused on U.S. traffic, value initiatives and the leadership transition.