McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) Insider Joseph Erlinger Sells 2,626 Shares

McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) insider Joseph Erlinger sold 2,626 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $325.25, for a total transaction of $854,106.50. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 5,398 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,755,699.50. The trade was a 32.73% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website.

McDonald’s Price Performance

Shares of MCD stock traded down $2.64 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $323.33. The company had a trading volume of 4,431,353 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,256,912. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $311.90 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $307.79. The company has a market capitalization of $230.26 billion, a PE ratio of 27.59, a PEG ratio of 3.29 and a beta of 0.52. McDonald’s Corporation has a one year low of $283.47 and a one year high of $328.06.

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 11th. The fast-food giant reported $3.12 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.00 by $0.12. McDonald’s had a negative return on equity of 280.89% and a net margin of 32.04%. Analysts forecast that McDonald’s Corporation will post 12.25 earnings per share for the current year.

McDonald’s Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 3rd will be issued a dividend of $1.86 per share. This represents a $7.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 3rd. McDonald’s’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 63.48%.

McDonald’s News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Viral promotion — McNugget Caviar kits sold out quickly, briefly crashing McDonald’s sites and generating nationwide buzz that can boost brand visibility and short‑term traffic. McNugget Caviar website crash: What to know
• Positive Sentiment: Value strategy may drive same‑store sales — McDonald’s Extra Value Meals and Snack Wraps are meant to attract price‑sensitive and higher‑income customers, which could support comp growth in the quarter. Value is the key to McDonald’s growth plans, but it’s creating tensions with some franchisees
• Positive Sentiment: Board addition adds experience — Appointment of James D. Farley Jr. to the board is a governance positive that may be viewed favorably by investors. James D. Farley, Jr. Elected to McDonald’s Board of Directors
• Neutral Sentiment: Earnings expectations are high — Prediction markets and previews suggest strong visitor growth could be priced in, so results that meet expectations may produce muted moves while a beat could push shares higher. McDonald’s Q4 Earnings Preview
• Neutral Sentiment: International growth opportunities are longer‑term — Debates over competitiveness in markets like India vs. Yum! Brands are strategic and unlikely to swing the stock intraday. McDonald’s vs. Yum! Brands: Which Wins the Battle for India as US Growth Slows?
• Negative Sentiment: Franchisee tensions — Some franchisees are resisting centralized value pricing, which could limit rollout effectiveness and margin management if disputes persist. Value is the key to McDonald’s growth plans, but it’s creating tensions with some franchisees
• Negative Sentiment: Macro and health‑trend risks — Investors remain concerned about broader consumer weakness and the potential impact of GLP‑1 drugs on discretionary food spending, which has capped MCD’s year‑over‑year gains. McDonald’s is about to report earnings. Here’s what to expect
• Negative Sentiment: Short‑term caution ahead of results — The stock is trading lower today as traders reduce risk going into the Q4 print; results and guidance will likely determine the next directional move. McDonald’s Stock Edges Lower Ahead Of Q4 Earnings

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have recently commented on MCD. Morgan Stanley set a $335.00 target price on McDonald’s in a report on Friday, October 17th. BMO Capital Markets reissued an “outperform” rating on shares of McDonald’s in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Mizuho lifted their target price on McDonald’s from $300.00 to $325.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, February 6th. Citigroup decreased their price objective on McDonald’s from $381.00 to $375.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. Finally, UBS Group reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $350.00 price objective on shares of McDonald’s in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. Fourteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $332.38.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On McDonald’s

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Decker Retirement Planning Inc. raised its stake in shares of McDonald’s by 142.9% in the second quarter. Decker Retirement Planning Inc. now owns 85 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 50 shares during the last quarter. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC purchased a new stake in McDonald’s in the second quarter worth $25,000. Evergreen Private Wealth LLC raised its stake in McDonald’s by 162.5% in the 3rd quarter. Evergreen Private Wealth LLC now owns 84 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 52 shares during the period. Your Advocates Ltd. LLP purchased a new stake in McDonald’s during the fourth quarter valued at about $27,000. Finally, Park Place Capital Corp boosted its position in McDonald’s by 95.7% during the fourth quarter. Park Place Capital Corp now owns 92 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 45 shares during the period. 70.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

McDonald’s Company 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.