McDonald's stock sign of consumer feelings?

It is being stated is a sign of the economy -- McDonald's stock position -- from CNN:

Shares of Mickey D's are up 18% this year, putting the company neck and neck with DuPont (DD, Fortune 500) as the best-performing company in the Dow Jones industrial average. The stock is near a 52-week high, having gained nearly 6% just this month.

McDonald's (MCD, Fortune 500) is your classic consumer staples company that typically holds up better than sexier growth stocks during times of economic weakness.

Even if consumers are cutting their spending habits, they're probably a lot more likely to not go on a pricey vacation or buy a new car as opposed to cutting back on Big Macs and Chicken McNuggets.

"When people feel stressed about the economy, they are going with brands that are convenient, they are comfortable with and offer good value. McDonald's fits the bill," said Frank Ingarra, co-manager of the Hennessy Total Return fund in Stamford, Ct., which owns the stock.