** McDonald's MCD.N topped Wall Street estimates for fourth-quarter global comparable sales and profit on Wednesday, as meal deals and strong marketing promotions pulled in budget-strapped U.S. diners and demand held firm in Australia and Britain

** Shares of fast-food chain brand rise nearly 1% to $325.31 premarket

FLIPPING SCRIPT LIKE HOT PATTY

** J.P. Morgan ("overweight," PT: $305) says menu discussion stood out, particularly MCD’s acknowledgment of the heightened need and opportunity to improve taste and quality across its three core categories, chicken, beef and beverages

** Stifel ("hold," PT: $315) says while management ties better value perception to Extra Value Menu items and argues current growth supports lower franchisee pricing, it's hard to separate that from short‑term lifts like the Grinch Meal and lapping the E. coli (foodborne‑illness outbreak) impact

** Gordon Haskett ("buy," PT: $360) says, despite a tough U.S. and international QSR (quick‑service restaurant) backdrop through 2026, and still like MCD's risk/reward, supported by a shift to a more aggressive value platform and renewed focus on limited-time offers and menu innovation

** TD Cowen ("hold," PT: $320) says MCD says to continue predictable value in what is anticipated to be a challenged low-income consumer backdrop, and "we believe this will be aided by digital, where mgmt emphasized the increased frequency of loyalty members"

(Reporting by Akrit Shah in Bengaluru)

((akriti.shah@thomsonreuters.com))