Wedbush Securities Inc. grew its holdings in shares of McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD – Free Report) by 10.0% in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 33,214 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock after purchasing an additional 3,018 shares during the period. Wedbush Securities Inc.’s holdings in McDonald’s were worth $7,670,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.
Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in MCD. Sound Income Strategies LLC lifted its stake in McDonald’s by 0.6% during the first quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 5,590 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $1,718,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares during the last quarter. Jacobsen Capital Management boosted its holdings in McDonald’s by 2.9% during the first quarter. Jacobsen Capital Management now owns 1,267 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $394,000 after buying an additional 36 shares in the last quarter. Legacy Wealth Managment LLC ID boosted its holdings in McDonald’s by 11.0% during the first quarter. Legacy Wealth Managment LLC ID now owns 372 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $116,000 after buying an additional 37 shares in the last quarter. Millstone Evans Group LLC boosted its holdings in McDonald’s by 2.5% during the first quarter. Millstone Evans Group LLC now owns 1,532 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $476,000 after buying an additional 38 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Signature Equity Partners LLC grew its position in McDonald’s by 3.6% in the first quarter. Signature Equity Partners LLC now owns 1,087 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $338,000 after buying an additional 38 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.29% of the company’s stock.
Key Headlines Impacting McDonald’s
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
McDonald’s Price Performance
MCD traded down $4.14 on Friday, reaching $248.49. 4,157,792 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,846,266. The company has a market cap of $175.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.19, a PEG ratio of 2.83 and a beta of 0.44. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $249.43 and its 200-day moving average price is $269.96. McDonald’s Corporation has a 52-week low of $229.20 and a 52-week high of $341.75.
McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD – Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The fast-food giant reported $3.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.32 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $7.10 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.13 billion. McDonald’s had a net margin of 31.72% and a negative return on equity of 572.06%. The company’s revenue was up 3.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $3.19 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that McDonald’s Corporation will post 12.84 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
McDonald’s Increases Dividend
The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 1st will be paid a $1.93 dividend. This represents a $7.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.1%. This is a boost from McDonald’s’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.86. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 1st. McDonald’s’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 60.44%.
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In
MCD has been the topic of several research reports. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price target on McDonald’s from $260.00 to $250.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, September 29th. Piper Sandler set a $286.00 price objective on McDonald’s in a research report on Tuesday, August 4th. KeyCorp reduced their price objective on McDonald’s from $305.00 to $280.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 6th. Mizuho decreased their target price on McDonald’s from $300.00 to $290.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, July 31st. Finally, DZ Bank restated a “buy” rating on shares of McDonald’s in a report on Thursday, September 24th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have given a Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, McDonald’s currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $295.64.
Get Our Latest Report on McDonald’s
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.
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