Billionaire Bill Gates includes MCD in top stock picks as analysts project 20% upside following new growth strategies.
McDonald’s Corp (MCD) announced McDonald’s NEXT, a growth strategy targeting improved hospitality, automation, food quality, and social media marketing. The plan aims to reverse declining customer value perceptions, with UBS Evidence Labs data showing a drop from 55% in 2020 to 44% in 2024 for U.S. customers rating the chain as good value.
The company’s prior strategy, introduced in 2020, focused on digital sales and marketing. MCD recently declared a $1.86 quarterly dividend, payable June 16, 2026, with an annualized payout of $7.44, reflecting a 2.7% yield.
Analysts see over 20% upside potential for MCD stock, aligning with Gates’ bullish stance on the fast-food giant’s long-term growth prospects.