McDonald's Stock Fell to Lowest Level Since 2022

Shares of the fast-food giant dropped by 4.62% as the company led losses across the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Public Companies

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a fractured stone pillar on a navy background, symbolizing corporate market decline. — McDonald's shares dropped 4.62% to $238.79 per share on Tuesday, marking the fast-food chain's lowest closing price since October 2022. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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McDonald's Corporation stock declined to $238.79 per share, marking its lowest closing price since October 2022. The stock fell 4.62% during the session, making it the worst performer in the Dow Jones Industrial Average for the day.

Why it matters

The sharp decline contributes to a broader slump for the company, which has seen its share price fall 21.87% year-to-date. Investors are tracking the stock's significant drop, as it remains nearly 30% below its all-time high achieved in February 2026.

The stock hit an intraday low of $238.67 and subtracted 68.71 points from the Dow Jones Industrial Average. It also ranked as the fifth worst performer in the S&P 500 for the day.

The players

McDonald's Corporation

This global fast-food company is a major component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and operates thousands of restaurants worldwide.

The details

Shares of the restaurant chain fell for the sixth time in the past seven trading days. The stock is currently on pace for its largest monthly percentage decrease since March 2020.

March 2020 marked the company's worst monthly decline of 14.84%.
October 12, 2022, was the previous closing low of $237.06.
April 4, 2025, served as the date of the previous largest percent decrease.
February 27, 2026, saw the stock reach an all-time closing high of $341.06.
September 23, 2026, was the day the stock fell to its new intraday low.

Market Landscape

This decline reflects a period of significant pressure on the company's valuation, echoing the market volatility seen during the March 2020 stock market downturn. The company is currently struggling to maintain its position within the competitive Dow Jones Industrial Average index.

While the stock's performance on the New York Stock Exchange reflects corporate value, it generally does not result in immediate changes to menu pricing or daily restaurant operations for customers. Retail investors holding shares may see shifts in their portfolio valuations based on the current market downturn.

The takeaway

The recent slide in stock price underscores the challenges the company faces in maintaining its market valuation during turbulent economic periods. Investors often view such drops as a signal to reassess their holdings in major blue-chip equities.