McDonald's Stock Sees Longest Losing Streak Since Dot-Com Boom
McDonald's stock is experiencing its longest losing streak since the dot-com boom, with eight consecutive weekly declines. The fast-food giant's shares traded near $232 on Thursday morning, down about 24% in 2026 and roughly 5% over the past five years.
The company's recently announced NEXT strategy, which includes $8.5 billion in franchisee support through 2036, is putting pressure on investors. The initiative aims to strengthen restaurant economics and support long-term growth but requires significant near-term cash commitments while pushing anticipated margin targets further out to 2030.
CEO Chris Kempczinski has maintained a cautious tone on the operating environment, citing weak U.S. comparable sales as a major concern. Investors are waiting for evidence that McDonald's can convert its value strategy and franchise support into sustainable traffic growth.