Flputnam Investment Management Co. Has $7.84 Million Stake in McDonald’s Corporation $MCD

Flputnam Investment Management Co. cut its holdings in shares of McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) by 17.7% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 29,023 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock after selling 6,225 shares during the period. Flputnam Investment Management Co.’s holdings in McDonald’s were worth $7,845,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. IFC & Insurance Marketing Inc. bought a new stake in shares of McDonald’s during the fourth quarter worth $29,000. Abound Financial LLC acquired a new position in McDonald’s during the 4th quarter worth about $30,000. Purpose Unlimited Inc. bought a new stake in McDonald’s during the 4th quarter worth about $31,000. Entrust Financial LLC acquired a new stake in McDonald’s in the 4th quarter valued at about $31,000. Finally, GKV Capital Management Co. Inc. bought a new position in shares of McDonald’s in the first quarter worth about $33,000. Institutional investors own 70.29% of the company’s stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 5,252 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $284.32, for a total transaction of $1,493,248.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 7,734 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,198,930.88. The trade was a 40.44% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 0.26% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MCD has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price target on shares of McDonald’s from $335.00 to $345.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 5th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on McDonald’s from $322.00 to $319.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, August 5th. Barclays dropped their target price on McDonald’s from $380.00 to $350.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, May 8th. BTIG Research reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $350.00 price target on shares of McDonald’s in a report on Wednesday, August 5th. Finally, Citigroup boosted their price objective on McDonald’s from $335.00 to $345.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 5th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Buy rating and eleven have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $322.96.

McDonald’s Stock Up 1.9%

Shares of McDonald’s stock opened at $265.05 on Friday. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $270.67 and a 200 day simple moving average of $291.72. The stock has a market cap of $187.56 billion, a PE ratio of 21.53, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.97 and a beta of 0.41. McDonald’s Corporation has a 12 month low of $259.85 and a 12 month high of $341.75.

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The fast-food giant reported $3.38 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.32 by $0.06. The firm had revenue of $7.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.13 billion. McDonald’s had a negative return on equity of 572.06% and a net margin of 31.72%.The company’s quarterly revenue was up 3.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $3.19 earnings per share. Analysts expect that McDonald’s Corporation will post 12.87 EPS for the current fiscal year.

McDonald’s Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 16th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 1st will be paid a dividend of $1.86 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 1st. This represents a $7.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.8%. McDonald’s’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 60.44%.

Trending Headlines about McDonald’s

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

• Positive Sentiment: Investors purchased 34,703 MCD call options, approximately 34% above typical volume. The activity may indicate increased bullish speculation, though options flow alone does not confirm a sustained rally.
• Positive Sentiment: McDonald’s benefited from a modest rebound in burger stocks as traders considered whether elevated short interest could contribute to a short squeeze. Wendy’s Climbs 4%, McDonald’s Ticks Up: Is Short Interest Setting Up a Squeeze in the Burger Trade?
• Positive Sentiment: The company is bringing back Spicy McNuggets on September 1 after a two-year absence, alongside other limited-time menu items and seasonal coffee promotions. These launches could support traffic and customer engagement, although their financial impact is likely modest. McDonald’s to Bring Back Spicy McNuggets
• Positive Sentiment: A consumer survey again ranked McDonald’s fries ahead of major competitors, reinforcing the brand’s strong customer recognition. A Hello Kitty and Godzilla Happy Meal promotion may provide additional promotional appeal.
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst comparisons with Domino’s highlight McDonald’s global expansion, digital initiatives and customer-engagement efforts, but do not represent a new company-specific catalyst. McDonald’s vs. Domino’s: Which Stock Has Better Growth Prospects?
• Neutral Sentiment: Reports about a fake McDonald’s support bot promising free premium AI tools appear to be a scam warning rather than an operating or earnings development.
• Negative Sentiment: Argus lowered its McDonald’s price target to $310, signaling more limited near-term upside despite the target remaining above the current market level. Argus Lowers McDonald’s Price Target
• Negative Sentiment: McDonald’s slipped with other burger stocks after takeover speculation surrounding Wendy’s faded, removing a sector-wide catalyst. Separately, commentary pointing to weakening consumer conditions raises concerns about pressure on traffic and value-focused spending, though the claim is not a formal company forecast.

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.