McDonald's Corporation (MCD - Free Report) reported fourth-quarter 2021 results, wherein both earnings and revenues missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Both the metrics lagged the consensus mark after beating the same in the trailing three quarters. However, both top and bottom lines improved year over year. Following the results, the company’s shares are down 2.2% in pre-market trading session.
Robust drive-thru presence, and its investments in delivery and digitization over the past few years have aided the company amid the pandemic. Robust digitalization will continue to help it in driving long-term growth and capturing market share.
McDonald's president and CEO, Chris Kempczinski, said, “We enter this new year with a clear focus on creating seamless and memorable customer experiences and harnessing our momentum to drive long-term, sustainable growth for all of our stakeholders.”
The company reported adjusted earnings of $2.23 per share, which lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.31. However, the bottom line improved 31% year over year.
Revenues & Comps Discussio
For the fourth quarter, revenues amounted to $6,009.1 million, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6,032 million. The figure advanced 13% year over year. The top line benefited from an increase in global comparable sales.
At company-operated restaurants, sales were $2,538.8 million, up 14% year over year. The same at franchise-operated restaurants were $3,391.6 million, up 14% year over year.
For the quarter under review, global comps advanced 12.3% against a decline of 1.3% in the prior-year quarter. This marks the fourth consecutive quarter of comps growth, after reporting a decline in the preceding four quarters.
Solid Comps Across Segments
U.S.: Comps at this segment rose 7.5% for the fourth quarter compared with a gain of 5.5% in the prior-year period. The company’s comps for the quarter benefited from robust average check growth.
International Operated Markets: Comps at this segment surged 16.8% year over year against a decline of 7.4% in the year-ago quarter.
International Developmental Licensed Segment: The segment’s comparable sales increased 14.2% for the fourth quarter. In the prior-year quarter, the segment’s comps declined 1.3%.
Other Information
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of 2021 was $4,709.2 million, compared with $3,449.1 million at the end of 2020. Long-term debt as of Dec 31, 2021 was $35,622.7 million, compared with $35,196.8 million at the end of 2020.
Zacks Rank & Key Picks
McDonald's carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Some better-ranked stocks in the same space include Chuy's Holdings, Inc. (CHUY - Free Report) , Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc. (ARCO - Free Report) and First Watch Restaurant Group, Inc. (FWRG - Free Report) .
Chuy's Holdings currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). CHUY reported better-than-expected earnings in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 52.7%. Shares of CHUY have gained 4.9% in the past month.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Chuy's Holdings current financial-year sales and EPS suggests growth of 23.8% and 115.5%, respectively, from the year-ago period’s levels. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Arcos Dorados sports a Zacks Rank #1. ARCO has long-term earnings growth of 42.9%. Shares of the company have increased 13.2% in the past three months.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Arcos Dorados’ current financial-year sales and EPS suggests growth of 31% and 112.5%, respectively, from the year-ago period’s levels.
First Watch Restaurant Group carries a Zacks Rank #2. FWRG has long-term earnings growth of 15%. Shares of the company have fallen 15.3% in the past month.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for First Watch Restaurant Group next financial-year sales and EPS suggests growth of 13.1% and 437.5%, respectively, from the year-ago period’s levels.
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McDonald's Corporation (MCD - Free Report) reported fourth-quarter 2021 results, wherein both earnings and revenues missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Both the metrics lagged the consensus mark after beating the same in the trailing three quarters. However, both top and bottom lines improved year over year. Following the results, the company’s shares are down 2.2% in pre-market trading session.
Robust drive-thru presence, and its investments in delivery and digitization over the past few years have aided the company amid the pandemic. Robust digitalization will continue to help it in driving long-term growth and capturing market share.
McDonald's president and CEO, Chris Kempczinski, said, “We enter this new year with a clear focus on creating seamless and memorable customer experiences and harnessing our momentum to drive long-term, sustainable growth for all of our stakeholders.”
The company reported adjusted earnings of $2.23 per share, which lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.31. However, the bottom line improved 31% year over year.
Revenues & Comps Discussio
For the fourth quarter, revenues amounted to $6,009.1 million, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6,032 million. The figure advanced 13% year over year. The top line benefited from an increase in global comparable sales.
At company-operated restaurants, sales were $2,538.8 million, up 14% year over year. The same at franchise-operated restaurants were $3,391.6 million, up 14% year over year.
For the quarter under review, global comps advanced 12.3% against a decline of 1.3% in the prior-year quarter. This marks the fourth consecutive quarter of comps growth, after reporting a decline in the preceding four quarters.
Solid Comps Across Segments
U.S.: Comps at this segment rose 7.5% for the fourth quarter compared with a gain of 5.5% in the prior-year period. The company’s comps for the quarter benefited from robust average check growth.
International Operated Markets: Comps at this segment surged 16.8% year over year against a decline of 7.4% in the year-ago quarter.
International Developmental Licensed Segment: The segment’s comparable sales increased 14.2% for the fourth quarter. In the prior-year quarter, the segment’s comps declined 1.3%.
Other Information
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of 2021 was $4,709.2 million, compared with $3,449.1 million at the end of 2020. Long-term debt as of Dec 31, 2021 was $35,622.7 million, compared with $35,196.8 million at the end of 2020.
Zacks Rank & Key Picks
McDonald's carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Some better-ranked stocks in the same space include Chuy's Holdings, Inc. (CHUY - Free Report) , Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc. (ARCO - Free Report) and First Watch Restaurant Group, Inc. (FWRG - Free Report) .
Chuy's Holdings currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). CHUY reported better-than-expected earnings in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 52.7%. Shares of CHUY have gained 4.9% in the past month.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Chuy's Holdings current financial-year sales and EPS suggests growth of 23.8% and 115.5%, respectively, from the year-ago period’s levels. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Arcos Dorados sports a Zacks Rank #1. ARCO has long-term earnings growth of 42.9%. Shares of the company have increased 13.2% in the past three months.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Arcos Dorados’ current financial-year sales and EPS suggests growth of 31% and 112.5%, respectively, from the year-ago period’s levels.
First Watch Restaurant Group carries a Zacks Rank #2. FWRG has long-term earnings growth of 15%. Shares of the company have fallen 15.3% in the past month.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for First Watch Restaurant Group next financial-year sales and EPS suggests growth of 13.1% and 437.5%, respectively, from the year-ago period’s levels.
Zacks Names "Single Best Pick to Double"
From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.
It’s a little-known chemical company that’s up 65% over last year, yet still dirt cheap. With unrelenting demand, soaring 2022 earnings estimates, and $1.5 billion for repurchasing shares, retail investors could jump in at any time.
This company could rival or surpass other recent Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Boston Beer Company which shot up +143.0% in little more than 9 months and NVIDIA which boomed +175.9% in one year.
Free: See Our Top Stock and 4 Runners Up >>
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