McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) shares advance ahead of earnings as profit forecasts ease

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) shares increased by 2.2% last week, outperforming the S&P 500 and Dow Jones, despite declining profit forecasts for Q2, Q3, and the full year 2026. The company is set to release its quarterly report on Tuesday, with early estimates predicting $7.14 billion in revenue and $3.32 adjusted earnings per share. Investors are focused on transaction volumes and management's guidance to assess potential future downgrades, as current gains are largely driven by increased average check sizes rather than traffic.