# McDonald’s earnings, US sales slowdown, leadership shift > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/mcdonalds-earnings-report-stock-scrutiny > Updated: 2026-08-27T19:20:39.000Z. Sources: 26. Developments: 5. Following the Aug. 4 earnings report, McDonald’s (MCD) continues to face market volatility. The company reported U.S. comparable-sales growth of just 0.8% YoY, missing Wall Street expectations. CEO Christopher Kempczinski and CFO Ian Borden attributed the shortfall to execution lapses, specifically an overload of simultaneous value-deal promotions and the removal of digital discounts, which slowed service. Only about 65% of outlets applied the recommended under-$3 pricing, and management estimated that two-thirds of the missed sales target resulted from these promotional issues. In response to the slowdown, Skye Anderson, a 26-year veteran, was appointed to lead the U.S. business, replacing Joe Erlinger. Anderson is tasked with correcting the “cheap-menu flop” and simplifying promotional strategies. While the stock initially saw a modest pre-market gain and a period of stabilization near $274, technical indicators remained bearish as the price stayed below its 200-day exponential moving average. By late August, the stock hit new two-year lows, trading between approximately $259.85 and $260.93. This decline followed an analyst downgrade from Argus, which lowered its price target from $320.00 to $310.00. Despite the downward trend, some valuation models suggest the stock may be trading below its fair value as the company navigates broader consumer spending pressures. ## Claims - McDonald’s US comparable sales grew 0.8 % in the second quarter of 2026. (corroborated by 8 sources) - CEO Christopher Kempczinski said the slowdown was due to execution lapses and too many simultaneous promotional offers. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Two‑thirds of the missed sales target were attributed to the flawed promotion strategy. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Joe Erlinger, U.S. president since 2019, left his role immediately. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Skye Anderson, a 26‑year McDonald’s veteran and former U.S. COO, became the new head of the U.S. business. (corroborated by 5 sources) - CFO Ian Borden said only about 65 % of restaurants used the recommended pricing architecture for the under‑$3 menu. (corroborated by 2 sources) - McDonald’s reported global Q2 revenue of $7.1 billion and profit of $2.4 billion. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-27: McDonald's stock hits new two-year low following analyst downgrade McDonald's stock has hit new 52-week and two-year lows on the NYSE following analyst downgrades and shifting market sentiment. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mcdonalds-stock-hits-new-two-year-low-following-analyst-downgrade ### 2026-08-09: McDonald's stock shows neutral trend amid bearish medium-term outlook McDonald's stock is stabilizing but remains in a medium-term downtrend, trading below its 200-day EMA despite improved short-term momentum. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mcdonalds-stock-shows-neutral-trend-amid-bearish-medium-term-outlook ### 2026-08-04: McDonald’s US sales slowdown leads to new US chief McDonald’s US comparable sales rose only 0.8% in Q2, missing expectations due to execution lapses and overloaded promotions; CEO cites value‑deal fatigue and the firm appoints Skye Anderson as new US head, oust 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mcdonalds-us-sales-growth-stalls-at-08-in-second-quarter ### 2026-07-30: McDonald's stock hits 52‑week low ahead of earnings report McDonald’s shares slid to a 52‑week low near $261 ahead of its Aug. 4 earnings, with analysts warning of slowing sales and consumer‑spending pressure despite a solid dividend. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mcdonalds-stock-hits-52week-low-ahead-of-earnings-report ### 2026-07-27: McDonald’s stock faces investor scrutiny ahead of earnings report Investors eye McDonald’s operating margin, comparable sales and cost pressures as the chain nears its quarterly earnings, gauging how the results will affect its stock. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mcdonalds-stock-faces-investor-scrutiny-ahead-of-earnings-report --- Cite as: McDonald’s earnings, US sales slowdown, leadership shift. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/mcdonalds-earnings-report-stock-scrutiny