Diversify Advisory Services LLC Lowers Holdings in McDonald’s Corporation $MCD

Diversify Advisory Services LLC reduced its stake in shares of McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) by 12.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 10,993 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock after selling 1,533 shares during the period. Diversify Advisory Services LLC’s holdings in McDonald’s were worth $3,258,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Evergreen Private Wealth LLC grew its holdings in McDonald’s by 162.5% during the third quarter. Evergreen Private Wealth LLC now owns 84 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 52 shares during the period. Financial Gravity Companies Inc. purchased a new position in shares of McDonald’s during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Traub Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of McDonald’s in the 2nd quarter valued at $29,000. Davis Capital Management purchased a new stake in McDonald’s during the third quarter worth $37,000. Finally, Miller Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in McDonald’s during the third quarter worth $38,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.29% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the stock. TD Cowen reiterated a “hold” rating and issued a $320.00 price objective on shares of McDonald’s in a research report on Thursday, February 12th. Sanford C. Bernstein reaffirmed a “market perform” rating and issued a $340.00 price target on shares of McDonald’s in a report on Thursday, February 12th. Argus upgraded McDonald’s from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $380.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 13th. Citigroup raised their price objective on McDonald’s from $371.00 to $375.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, February 12th. Finally, KeyCorp upped their target price on McDonald’s from $340.00 to $354.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 3rd. Seventeen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $339.69.

Key Headlines Impacting McDonald’s

Here are the key news stories impacting McDonald’s this week:

• Positive Sentiment: New product momentum — McDonald’s Big Arch burger is being heavily promoted (CEO appearances, social campaigns such as “First Job Confessional”) and is generating strong online buzz that can lift traffic and brand engagement. McDonald’s Big Arch Burger Tests Brand Power And Rich Valuation
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst upgrade — At least one outlet reports a raised price target to $385, signaling increased analyst confidence in MCD’s outlook and valuation support. McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) Price Target Raised to $385.00
• Positive Sentiment: Viral CEO marketing — A widely viewed video of McDonald’s CEO sampling the new product has driven free publicity and conversations that amplify the Big Arch campaign. Increased organic attention can translate into short-term traffic gains. Viral video of McDonald’s CEO eating new ‘product’ draws response from Columbus Metropolitan Library
• Neutral Sentiment: Pricing variability — A study shows Big Arch prices vary widely across U.S. markets; this affects local comps and customer perception but is not a company-wide earnings surprise. McDonald’s Big Arch Burger Prices Swing Wildly Across U.S., New Study Shows
• Neutral Sentiment: Ongoing product initiatives — New Happy Meal offerings and Filet‑O‑Fish tips/PR continue to support menu innovation and value perception, which can aid transaction growth over time. McDonald’s announces new happy meal
• Negative Sentiment: Competitive and reputational noise — Rival chains (notably Burger King) and their agencies have produced social jabs that highlight brand rivalry; while largely promotional theatre, sustained negative narratives can dent sentiment. Burger King names 2 new agencies following viral Whopper bite moment
• Negative Sentiment: Macro/logistics risk — Analysis flags meaningful exposure to very high oil prices (fuel for delivery/drive‑thru, packaging, logistics) that could suppress demand or raise operating risk if energy spikes materially. McDonald’s Real Risk From $150 Oil Has Nothing to Do With Costs

Insider Activity

In other McDonald’s news, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 333 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $330.43, for a total value of $110,033.19. Following the transaction, the insider owned 8,733 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,885,645.19. This trade represents a 3.67% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Jonathan Banner sold 6,201 shares of McDonald’s stock in a transaction on Monday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $333.29, for a total transaction of $2,066,731.29. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 2,291 shares in the company, valued at approximately $763,567.39. This trade represents a 73.02% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 71,517 shares of company stock valued at $23,655,503 in the last three months. Company insiders own 0.25% of the company’s stock.

McDonald’s Stock Up 0.9%

MCD opened at $331.03 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $235.17 billion, a PE ratio of 27.70, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.92 and a beta of 0.51. McDonald’s Corporation has a twelve month low of $283.47 and a twelve month high of $341.75. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $318.66 and a 200 day moving average price of $311.15.

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 11th. The fast-food giant reported $3.12 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.05 by $0.07. McDonald’s had a negative return on equity of 343.90% and a net margin of 31.85%.The company had revenue of $7.01 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.81 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.83 EPS. McDonald’s’s revenue was up 9.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that McDonald’s Corporation will post 12.25 earnings per share for the current year.

McDonald’s Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 17th. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 3rd will be given a dividend of $1.86 per share. This represents a $7.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 3rd. McDonald’s’s payout ratio is presently 62.26%.

About McDonald’s

McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE: MCD) is a global quick-service restaurant company best known for its hamburgers, French fries and breakfast offerings. The company develops, operates and franchises a system of restaurants that sell a range of food and beverage items, including signature products such as the Big Mac, Quarter Pounder, Chicken McNuggets, McCafé coffee beverages and a variety of salads, desserts and seasonal menu items. McDonald’s serves customers through company-operated restaurants and franchised locations, and it supports sales via dine-in, drive-thru, digital ordering platforms and third-party delivery partnerships.

Founded in 1940 by brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald as a single San Bernardino, California restaurant, the business was transformed into a franchising model after Ray Kroc joined in the mid-1950s and led the brand’s national and international expansion.