Key Points
- Insider selling: EVP Jonathan Banner sold 6,201 shares at an average of $333.29 for $2,066,731.29, reducing his stake by 73.02%; President Joe Erlinger also sold 333 shares, according to SEC filings.
- McDonald's beat expectations with Q4 EPS of $3.12 (vs. $3.05) and revenue of $7.01 billion (up 9.7% YoY), and the stock traded around $334.98, near its 52-week high.
- The company announced a quarterly dividend of $1.86 ($7.44 annualized, ~2.2% yield) payable March 17, while analysts' consensus is a "Hold" with an average price target of $337.57 amid several raised targets.
McDonald's Corporation (NYSE:MCD - Get Free Report) EVP Jonathan Banner sold 6,201 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $333.29, for a total transaction of $2,066,731.29. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 2,291 shares of the company's stock, valued at $763,567.39. This trade represents a 73.02% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website.
McDonald's Trading Up 0.6%
Shares of NYSE:MCD traded up $1.97 on Thursday, hitting $334.98. The company had a trading volume of 259,649 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,338,282. The company has a market cap of $238.55 billion, a PE ratio of 28.05, a PEG ratio of 2.96 and a beta of 0.52. McDonald's Corporation has a 52-week low of $283.47 and a 52-week high of $336.94. The business has a 50 day moving average of $315.63 and a 200 day moving average of $309.77.
McDonald's (NYSE:MCD - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 11th. The fast-food giant reported $3.12 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.05 by $0.07. McDonald's had a net margin of 31.85% and a negative return on equity of 343.90%. The firm had revenue of $7.01 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.81 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.83 EPS. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 9.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts predict that McDonald's Corporation will post 12.25 EPS 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. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 3rd. This represents a $7.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.2%. McDonald's's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 62.26%.
Institutional Trading of McDonald's
Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Sit Investment Associates Inc. raised its holdings in shares of McDonald's by 2.2% during the 4th quarter. Sit Investment Associates Inc. now owns 54,129 shares of the fast-food giant's stock valued at $16,543,000 after buying an additional 1,164 shares during the period. Mariner Investment Group LLC purchased a new position in McDonald's in the 4th quarter worth approximately $49,818,000. MidFirst Bank acquired a new stake in McDonald's in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $4,546,000. DGS Capital Management LLC grew its position in McDonald's by 45.9% in the fourth quarter. DGS Capital Management LLC now owns 1,475 shares of the fast-food giant's stock valued at $451,000 after acquiring an additional 464 shares in the last quarter. Finally, SG Trading Solutions LLC purchased a new stake in shares of McDonald's during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $1,041,000. 70.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
McDonald's News Summary
Here are the key news stories impacting McDonald's this week:
- Positive Sentiment: JPMorgan raised its price target to $325 and kept an "overweight" rating, signaling analyst confidence in MCD's growth and reinforcing buy-side interest. JPMorgan Boosts McDonald's Price Target
- Positive Sentiment: National promotions: McDonald's is promoting $1 McMuffins (one‑day/local deals and broader giveaways), a low-price traffic driver that can boost morning-store visits and app usage. McDonald’s Is Giving Away $1 McMuffins Next Week
- Positive Sentiment: Big Arch Burger LTO: McDonald's is rolling out a supersized "Big Arch" burger in the U.S., generating strong social buzz and free publicity — likely to lift short‑term sales and drive incremental visits during the promotion. McDonald’s launches supersized Big Arch Burger in US
- Positive Sentiment: Repeat business tailwinds: Coverage highlights loyalty and rewards programs (Starbucks, McDonald's, Chipotle) that are improving frequency and ticket — a structural benefit for McDonald's margins and digital sales mix. Starbucks, McDonald's, and Chipotle Reward Loyal Customers
- Neutral Sentiment: Limited-time international items: McDonald's is bringing a best‑selling international burger to U.S. menus for a limited run — positive for novelty and visits but uncertain lift vs. cost. McDonald's bringing international burger to the US
- Neutral Sentiment: Relative performance note: Analysis shows MCD has outperformed the consumer discretionary sector over the past year — supportive context for longer-term investors but not an immediate catalyst. McDonald’s Stock: Is MCD Outperforming the Consumer Discretionary Sector?
- Negative Sentiment: Insider selling: EVP Jonathan Banner sold 6,201 shares (~$2.07M) and President Joe Erlinger sold 333 shares; meaningful executives trimming positions can spook some investors even if sales are routine. Jonathan Banner Form 4 Joseph Erlinger Form 4
- Negative Sentiment: Ad controversy in Germany: A new campaign showing empty boxes during Ramadan drew criticism — a reputational risk that could attract negative headlines in certain markets, though impact on sales likely limited. Why New McDonald’s Ad Campaign Will Show Empty Boxes
Analyst Ratings Changes
MCD has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on shares of McDonald's from $345.00 to $355.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 12th. BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed an "outperform" rating on shares of McDonald's in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. BTIG Research boosted their price objective on shares of McDonald's from $360.00 to $370.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 12th. Robert W. Baird set a $335.00 price objective on McDonald's in a report on Thursday, February 12th. Finally, Guggenheim cut their target price on McDonald's from $325.00 to $320.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 13th. Sixteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $337.57.
Read Our Latest Analysis on McDonald's
McDonald's Company Profile
(
Get Free Report)
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.
Read More
This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from InsiderTrades.com in order to provide readers with the fastest and most accurate reporting. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].
