Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. Reduces Stake in McDonald’s Corporation $MCD

Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. lowered its stake in McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) by 8.7% during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 104,889 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock after selling 10,036 shares during the quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co.’s holdings in McDonald’s were worth $28,352,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. IFC & Insurance Marketing Inc. acquired a new position in shares of McDonald’s during the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. Abound Financial LLC acquired a new position in McDonald’s in the fourth quarter valued at $30,000. Entrust Financial LLC purchased a new position in McDonald’s during the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. Purpose Unlimited Inc. purchased a new position in shares of McDonald’s during the fourth quarter worth approximately $31,000. Finally, GKV Capital Management Co. Inc. purchased a new position in McDonald’s during the 1st quarter worth $33,000. 70.29% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity at McDonald’s

In related news, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 5,252 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $284.32, for a total value of $1,493,248.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 7,734 shares in the company, valued at $2,198,930.88. This trade represents a 40.44% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.26% of the company’s stock.

Key Stories Impacting McDonald’s

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

• Positive Sentiment: International operated markets delivered 1.5% comparable-sales growth in the second quarter of 2026, led by Germany, Australia and the United Kingdom. Value offers, menu innovation and loyalty programs could help McDonald’s offset softer demand in some regions. Can MCD’s International Markets Drive Growth Amid Consumer Pressure?
• Positive Sentiment: A SpongeBob and One Piece-themed Happy Meal is scheduled to launch September 15. The high-profile collaboration may support traffic, family demand and promotional engagement, although its financial impact is likely limited. McDonald’s Announces SpongeBob/One Piece Collab Happy Meal
• Neutral Sentiment: McDonald’s and Burger King introduced chicken-nugget offerings on the same day, highlighting continued menu competition. The launch could generate traffic but also underscores the crowded quick-service restaurant market. Chicken nuggets land on menus at Burger King, McDonald’s on same day
• Negative Sentiment: McDonald’s has lagged the S&P 500 over the past year, and its shares are near a 12-month low. Analysts remain moderately optimistic, but the relative weakness suggests investors are concerned about growth and valuation amid a challenging consumer environment. Is McDonald’s Stock Underperforming the S&P 500?

McDonald’s Trading Down 0.9%

Shares of NYSE MCD opened at $261.11 on Wednesday. McDonald’s Corporation has a twelve month low of $259.85 and a twelve month high of $341.75. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $270.33 and a 200-day simple moving average of $290.60. The company has a market capitalization of $184.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.21, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.95 and a beta of 0.41.

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The fast-food giant reported $3.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.32 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $7.10 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.13 billion. McDonald’s had a negative return on equity of 572.06% and a net margin of 31.72%.The business’s revenue was up 3.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $3.19 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that McDonald’s Corporation will post 12.87 earnings per share for the current year.

McDonald’s Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 16th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 1st will be issued a $1.86 dividend. This represents a $7.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.8%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 1st. McDonald’s’s payout ratio is presently 60.44%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have commented on MCD shares. Royal Bank Of Canada cut their price objective on shares of McDonald’s from $305.00 to $295.00 and set a “sector perform” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, August 5th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on McDonald’s from $325.00 to $305.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, May 11th. Cfra raised shares of McDonald’s to a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, May 8th. Freedom Capital raised shares of McDonald’s from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 5th. Finally, Weiss Ratings downgraded McDonald’s from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 23rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have given a Buy rating and eleven have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $322.96.

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.