NEW YORK, Jan 6, 2026, 15:48 EST — Regular session
McDonald’s Corp shares rose about 1% on Tuesday to $302.94, recovering ground after the company pushed back against a proposed class action tied to its McRib sandwich. The stock traded between $298.36 and $304.19 during the session, with about 2.3 million shares changing hands.
The bounce comes after McDonald’s shares fell 1.1% on Monday to $299.86, extending a six-session slide and leaving the stock about 8% below its 52-week high. Rival moves were mixed on Monday, with Starbucks closing higher while Yum Brands slipped.
In the lawsuit, plaintiffs seek to represent U.S. consumers who bought the McRib, arguing the name and rib-shaped patty mislead buyers about the meat’s quality and composition. The filing seeks damages and a court order that would force changes to marketing — a form of relief known as an injunction.
Traders are also watching U.S. data that can shift expectations for interest rates and consumer demand, both key inputs for restaurant stocks. The Labor Department’s employment report for December 2025 is due on Jan. 9, and the December 2025 consumer price index report is scheduled for Jan. 13.
The next Federal Reserve policy decision is expected at the central bank’s Jan. 27-28 meeting, putting fresh focus on how quickly borrowing costs may fall — and on whether spending momentum holds up as 2026 gets underway.
Still, the legal dispute adds a risk layer that can linger even if it does not turn into a major financial hit. If the case advances, it could bring costs and unwanted scrutiny at a time investors remain alert to any sign that price-sensitive customers are pulling back.
Next up, investors will look to McDonald’s quarterly results, expected on Feb. 9, for updates on traffic, pricing and margins — and for any read-through on how consumers are behaving early in the year.
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