McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) Given New $280.00 Price Target at KeyCorp

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) had its price objective decreased by KeyCorp from $305.00 to $280.00 in a report issued on Tuesday morning, Marketbeat.com reports. KeyCorp currently has an overweight rating on the fast-food giant’s stock.

Several other equities research analysts also recently weighed in on the stock. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on shares of McDonald’s from $308.00 to $297.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, September 28th. UBS Group set a $260.00 price objective on shares of McDonald’s in a research report on Thursday, September 24th. Seaport Research Partners began coverage on shares of McDonald’s in a report on Wednesday, September 16th. They issued a “neutral” rating on the stock. HC Wainwright set a $250.00 price objective on shares of McDonald’s in a research report on Friday, September 25th. Finally, TD Cowen lowered their target price on shares of McDonald’s from $282.00 to $270.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, September 24th. One 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. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $297.76.

McDonald’s Trading Down 0.2%

MCD stock opened at $232.69 on Tuesday. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $257.47 and its 200 day moving average price is $275.87. McDonald’s has a 12-month low of $229.20 and a 12-month high of $341.75. The company has a market capitalization of $164.66 billion, a PE ratio of 18.90, a P/E/G ratio of 2.60 and a beta of 0.44.

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The fast-food giant reported $3.38 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate 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 negative return on equity of 572.06% and a net margin of 31.72%.McDonald’s’s revenue was up 3.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $3.19 EPS. Research analysts predict that McDonald’s will post 12.85 EPS for the current fiscal year.

McDonald’s Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 1st will be given a dividend of $1.93 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 1st. This represents a $7.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.3%. This is a boost from McDonald’s’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.86. McDonald’s’s payout ratio is presently 60.44%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Abound Financial LLC acquired a new position in McDonald’s in the fourth quarter valued at $30,000. Purpose Unlimited Inc. purchased a new position in shares of McDonald’s during the fourth quarter worth about $31,000. GKV Capital Management Co. Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of McDonald’s during the first quarter worth about $33,000. Merkkuri Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of McDonald’s during the first quarter worth about $43,000. Finally, Burkett Financial Services LLC lifted its holdings in shares of McDonald’s by 2,312.5% in the 3rd quarter. Burkett Financial Services LLC now owns 193 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $45,000 after purchasing an additional 185 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 launched its 2026 Monopoly promotion with a $1 million top prize, vehicles, vacations, free food and digital rewards. The campaign could increase customer visits and sales during the important fall promotional period. McDonald’s Monopoly 2026 game launches with $1 million prize
• Positive Sentiment: KeyCorp maintained an “overweight” rating while lowering its price target from $305 to $280, implying substantial potential upside from recent trading levels. The target cut nevertheless reflects more cautious assumptions. McDonald’s Given New $280 Price Target at KeyCorp
• Neutral Sentiment: McDonald’s denied allegations that artificial intelligence sets menu prices, saying franchisees independently determine pricing. The response may limit reputational damage, but the issue remains unresolved. MCD Stock’s Rough Year Gets Worse
• Negative Sentiment: Franchisees are reportedly resisting approximately $800,000 per restaurant in remodeling costs tied to McDonald’s new business initiative. Pushback could slow store upgrades, increase franchisee strain and complicate execution. McDonald’s franchisees push back on remodeling costs
• Negative Sentiment: A proposed class-action lawsuit alleges McDonald’s used an algorithm to coordinate menu prices across restaurants. Although the company disputes the claim, potential litigation, regulatory scrutiny and reputational damage add risk. McDonald’s hit with lawsuit alleging AI-powered menu price-fixing
• Negative Sentiment: Analysts have reduced forecasts and price targets amid weak U.S. sales, softer traffic and intensifying value competition from other quick-service restaurants. Investors remain unconvinced that the U.S. turnaround will happen quickly. McDonald’s Stock Nears 52-Week Low

McDonald’s Company Profile

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.