Over the past year, several Wall Street companies have come under fire, characterized by consumer pushback over their stance on controversial global issues.
Notably, these issues revolved around international conflicts and ethical debates, igniting boycotts that sent sales tumbling and stock price volatility.
However, in 2025, some of the affected firms are making progress, showing signs of rebounding, and, in the process, offering an ideal investment opportunity.
Picks for you
To this end, Finbold has identified the following two boycott stocks from 2024 that are worth buying now.
Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX)
The American coffeehouse chain was caught up in the backlash from its stance on the Middle East conflict between Israel and Hamas. Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) felt the heat after its workers’ union voiced support for Palestine.
The company’s attempt to distance itself via a lawsuit against the union failed to stop a boycott from pro-Palestinian activists, who criticized Starbucks’ American ties as implicit support for Israel.
As a result, the company’s sales slid 2% in North America and 7% internationally in 2024, with Middle Eastern outlets closing and over 2,000 jobs cut by a regional franchisee.
In 2025, however, Starbucks is regaining traction; shares are up over 7% year-to-date, boosted by new products and a $3 million Gaza relief pledge. As of press time, SBUX was trading at $98.11, ending the last session up over 2%.
Regarding the stock’s fundamentals, Starbucks’ P/E ratio as of March 14 stands at 36.51, making the stock fairly overvalued but still presenting a possible buying opportunity. Starbucks’ strong brand, pricing power, and expected 47% earnings growth could justify its premium valuation.
For the last quarter, Starbucks reported $9.4 billion in revenue, slightly beating expectations, though net income fell to $780.8 million ($0.69 per share) from $1.02 billion ($0.90 per share) a year ago. Due to pricing competition, same-store sales declined 4%, with U.S. traffic down 8% and China sales falling 6%.
CEO Brian Niccol is leading a turnaround plan focused on streamlining operations, improving service speed, and refocusing marketing on coffee rather than discounts. The company is also cutting menu items, reducing near-term store openings, and restructuring leadership.
McDonald’s (NYSE: MCD)
McDonald’s (NYSE: MCD) was hit with controversy when its Israeli franchisee offered free meals to Israeli soldiers in late 2023, sparking a boycott from pro-Palestinian advocates, particularly in Muslim-majority regions.
Notably, the fallout saw McDonald’s miss its first quarterly sales target in four years in 2024, citing the Israel- Gaza war as a key factor. CEO Chris Kempczinski stated that the conflict had hurt sales in Muslim-majority countries, with growth in the Middle East, China, and India at just 0.7%, far below the expected 5.5%.
At the close of the last trading session, MCD was valued at $299.83, ending the day up a modest 0.7%. Year-to-date, the stock has rallied 3.4%.
Overall, McDonald’s presents a compelling opportunity for long-term investors. Besides the boycott, the company’s sales decline also stemmed from temporary headwinds, such as inflation, geopolitical tensions, and an E. coli outbreak, rather than fundamental weaknesses.
The company is actively addressing challenges by expanding value menus, launching new offerings, and rebuilding consumer confidence.
Additionally, McDonald’s 150 million loyalty members and ongoing automation efforts support long-term growth, while its franchise-heavy model ensures steady profitability.
With 48 consecutive years of dividend hikes, a 2.4% yield, and a reasonable 25.74 forward P/E ratio, McDonald’s has strong fundamentals likely to trigger growth.
In summary, while Starbucks and McDonald’s are rebounding, their growth will depend on strategic execution, consumer sentiment, and broader economic conditions.
Featured image via Shutterstock
