McDonald's Q3 Earnings Beat, but U.S. Traffic Still Pressures Growth

McDonald's reported Q3 adjusted EPS of $3.57, beating consensus by 6.3%, driven by strong franchised margins and other operating income. However, revenue missed expectations at $7.16B, revealing weak U.S. comparable sales (-0.2%) offset by international strength, particularly in Japan, Germany, and Australia. The company plans 2,500 gross restaurant openings in 2026, but softer U.S. traffic and inflation pressures temper near-term growth prospects.