McDonald’s Corporation $MCD Stock: Rahlfs Capital LLC Lowers Holdings

Rahlfs Capital LLC lessened its holdings in McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) by 40.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 5,145 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock after selling 3,465 shares during the quarter. Rahlfs Capital LLC’s holdings in McDonald’s were worth $1,188,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Baypointe Partners LLC increased its stake in McDonald’s by 5.0% in the third quarter. Baypointe Partners LLC now owns 7,500 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $1,732,000 after purchasing an additional 358 shares during the last quarter. Wedbush Securities Inc. lifted its position in shares of McDonald’s by 10.0% during the 3rd quarter. Wedbush Securities Inc. now owns 33,214 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $7,670,000 after buying an additional 3,018 shares during the last quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of McDonald’s by 1.0% during the 3rd quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 14,197 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $3,279,000 after buying an additional 143 shares during the last quarter. Kennebec Savings Bank boosted its holdings in shares of McDonald’s by 7.9% in the 3rd quarter. Kennebec Savings Bank now owns 5,428 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $1,254,000 after buying an additional 399 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Christensen King & Associates Investment Services Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of McDonald’s by 10.6% in the 3rd quarter. Christensen King & Associates Investment Services Inc. now owns 1,073 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $248,000 after buying an additional 103 shares in the last quarter. 70.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

McDonald’s Trading Down 1.6%

Shares of NYSE MCD traded down $4.14 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $248.49. 4,157,792 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,846,266. McDonald’s Corporation has a 1 year low of $229.20 and a 1 year high of $341.75. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $249.43 and a 200 day simple moving average of $269.96. The stock has a market cap of $175.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.19, a PEG ratio of 2.83 and a beta of 0.44.

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The fast-food giant reported $3.38 earnings per share (EPS) 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 analysts’ expectations of $7.13 billion. McDonald’s had a negative return on equity of 572.06% and a net margin of 31.72%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 3.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $3.19 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that McDonald’s Corporation will post 12.84 earnings per share for the current year.

McDonald’s Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 1st will be issued a $1.93 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 1st. This is an increase from McDonald’s’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.86. This represents a $7.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.1%. McDonald’s’s dividend payout ratio is presently 60.44%.

McDonald’s News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: McDonald’s is bringing back popular limited-time offerings, including the McRib and a cult-favorite BBQ sandwich. The promotions could help improve traffic and comparable sales, although their impact is likely temporary. McDonald’s Is Bringing Back a Hugely Popular Menu Item Next Week
• Positive Sentiment: The stock’s sell-off has lifted its dividend yield to roughly 3%–3.2%, while McDonald’s has continued raising its payout and has earned “Dividend King” status. The higher yield may attract income-focused investors and provide valuation support. McDonald’s Is Crowned a Dividend King
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts expect a single-digit increase in third-quarter earnings, and management is relying on chicken launches and limited-time menu items to counter weaker U.S. traffic. McDonald’s Q3 2026 Earnings: What to Expect
• Neutral Sentiment: McDonald’s is challenging tokenized trading of its shares on the OKX-ICE venue, citing investor-protection and regulatory-oversight concerns. The dispute is unlikely to materially affect restaurant operations or near-term earnings. Why Is McDonald’s Challenging Tokenized Trading of Its Shares?
• Negative Sentiment: Competitive pricing is a concern as Taco Bell promotes a $2 item while McDonald’s works to balance affordability with margins. Slower traffic and economic pressure could weigh on comparable-store sales. Taco Bell Rolls Out $2 Item as McDonald’s Wrestles With Pricing
• Negative Sentiment: A federal lawsuit accuses McDonald’s of AI-fueled price fixing; the company says the allegations contain inaccuracies. Even if ultimately dismissed, the litigation creates reputational and regulatory overhang. McDonald’s Accused of AI-Fueled Price Fixing
• Negative Sentiment: Erste Group trimmed its FY2027 EPS forecast slightly to $13.78 from $13.80. Although the reduction is minor, it reinforces concerns that growth may remain subdued. McDonald’s Analyst Estimates

Analyst Ratings Changes

MCD has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Mizuho dropped their target price on shares of McDonald’s from $300.00 to $290.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, July 31st. Needham & Company LLC restated a “buy” rating on shares of McDonald’s in a research note on Monday, September 21st. Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their price objective on McDonald’s from $290.00 to $285.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, September 24th. HC Wainwright set a $250.00 target price on McDonald’s in a research report on Friday, September 25th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on McDonald’s from $300.00 to $270.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, October 5th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have assigned a Buy rating, thirteen have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $295.64.

About McDonald’s

McDonald’s Corporation is a global quick-service restaurant company that operates and franchises restaurants under the McDonald’s brand. Its restaurants serve a menu that includes hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches, French fries, breakfast items, desserts, salads, beverages and coffee. Offerings vary by market, and many locations provide drive-thru service, delivery and digital ordering through the McDonald’s mobile app.

The company operates through a heavily franchised business model, with restaurants owned and operated by independent franchisees, affiliates and the company itself.