3 Surprising Stocks That Hit Fresh Highs Last Week

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Last week was rough for most investors, but there were some pockets of strength. Oil and gas companies raced higher as fuel costs soared. Defense contractors were enlisted in bullish action amid geopolitical tensions. Several companies in those industries hit fresh 52-week highs this past week. However, even in the economically sensitive and vulnerable consumer discretionary sector, a few names rose to the challenge. Coca-Cola Consolidated, McDonald's, and Restaurant Brands International - three stocks that need folks feeling good enough about their finances to keep buying their products - managed to notch fresh highs last week.

Why it matters

The fact that these consumer discretionary stocks hit fresh highs despite broader market weakness suggests that some companies are finding ways to thrive even in challenging economic conditions. This could indicate resilience in certain sectors and provide insights for investors looking to identify potential opportunities.

The details

Coca-Cola Consolidated, the largest stateside bottler for Coca-Cola, has been on a tear, surging 51% over the past year and more than tripling in the past three years. McDonald's, the country's largest restaurant operator, closed out 2025 with strong quarterly comps and generated a record net margin of 27% that year. Restaurant Brands International, the parent company of Burger King, Tim Hortons, Popeyes, and Firehouse Subs, saw 12% revenue growth in 2025 and offers the highest dividend yield among the three stocks at 3.5%.

• Last week was rough for most investors.
• Coca-Cola Consolidated has delivered 16 consecutive years of positive revenue growth.
• McDonald's is expected to boost its dividend later this year, stretching its streak of annual increases to 50 years.