LPL Financial LLC lifted its position in shares of McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD – Free Report) by 4.2% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,574,007 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock after purchasing an additional 62,944 shares during the period. LPL Financial LLC’s holdings in McDonald’s were worth $481,064,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.
Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MCD. Norges Bank acquired a new position in McDonald’s during the 4th quarter worth $2,890,438,000. Viking Global Investors LP grew its stake in McDonald’s by 171.7% in the second quarter. Viking Global Investors LP now owns 3,125,432 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $913,157,000 after purchasing an additional 1,974,998 shares in the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. grew its stake in McDonald’s by 36.6% in the third quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 4,396,837 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $1,336,155,000 after purchasing an additional 1,179,244 shares in the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership grew its stake in McDonald’s by 111.3% in the third quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 2,071,296 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $629,446,000 after purchasing an additional 1,090,849 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP grew its stake in McDonald’s by 927.5% in the third quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 827,547 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $251,483,000 after purchasing an additional 927,547 shares in the last quarter. 70.29% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
McDonald’s Trading Down 0.8%
NYSE:MCD opened at $277.58 on Tuesday. McDonald’s Corporation has a twelve month low of $271.85 and a twelve month high of $341.75. The company has a 50-day moving average of $291.34 and a 200-day moving average of $307.36. The firm has a market cap of $197.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.88, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.79 and a beta of 0.41.
McDonald’s Announces Dividend
The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 16th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, June 2nd will be given a dividend of $1.86 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, June 2nd. This represents a $7.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.7%. McDonald’s’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 61.34%.
Insider Activity
In other news, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 2,626 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $307.00, for a total transaction of $806,182.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 8,400 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,578,800. This trade represents a 23.82% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, EVP Desiree Ralls-Morrison sold 2,763 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $278.36, for a total transaction of $769,108.68. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 6,268 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,744,760.48. This trade represents a 30.59% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 6,055 shares of company stock valued at $1,769,373. Insiders own 0.26% of the company’s stock.
Analyst Ratings Changes
MCD has been the subject of a number of research reports. Barclays decreased their price target on McDonald’s from $380.00 to $350.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, May 8th. Rothschild & Co Redburn upgraded McDonald’s from a “sell” rating to a “neutral” rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $260.00 to $306.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 23rd. Argus upgraded McDonald’s from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $380.00 price target for the company in a research note on Friday, February 13th. Guggenheim decreased their price target on McDonald’s from $325.00 to $320.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, February 13th. Finally, TD Cowen dropped their target price on shares of McDonald’s from $330.00 to $300.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, May 7th. Sixteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $336.26.
Check Out Our Latest Analysis on MCD
Key Headlines Impacting McDonald’s
Here are the key news stories impacting McDonald’s this week:
- Positive Sentiment: McDonald’s is testing AI-powered drive-thru ordering, and early reports say the Google-based system is already reaching about 90% accuracy. That could support faster service, lower labor costs, and better margins if it scales successfully. McDonald’s Google AI Drive-Thru Ordering Hits 90% Accuracy
- Positive Sentiment: Analysts and market commentary continue to point to McDonald’s as a potential long-term winner, with one note highlighting upside tied to its recent growth strategy and another citing beverage innovation—new McCafé and energy drinks—as a way to boost traffic and ticket size in 2026. Can Beverage Innovation Fuel the Next Leg of Growth for MCD Stock?
- Positive Sentiment: McDonald’s is also promoting limited-time offerings tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which could help drive short-term customer traffic and sales. McDonald’s Celebrates 2026 FIFA World Cup With Limited-Time Meals
- Neutral Sentiment: Several articles are focused on McDonald’s broader brand and menu appeal, including long-running popular orders and comparisons with competitors, but these are unlikely to materially move the stock on their own. McDonald’s And Burger King Use The Same Potatoes For Fries — But One Chain Still Dominates
- Neutral Sentiment: News about a restaurant worker injury in Yuba City appears operationally isolated and does not yet suggest a companywide financial impact, though it may add some reputational noise. McDonald’s Employee in ICU After Coworker Allegedly Throws Hot Oil in Yuba City Attack
- Negative Sentiment: Some coverage questions whether customers actually want AI ordering, and those concerns could temper enthusiasm around the technology rollout if service quality or customer satisfaction suffers. McDonald’s is testing AI ordering at drive-thrus — but customers don’t want it
- Negative Sentiment: Another article says McDonald’s is officially replacing drive-thru workers with AI, which could raise labor and execution concerns, even if it supports efficiency over time. McDonalds Orders People Over 55 Still Swear By After Decades
McDonald’s Profile
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.
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