McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) EVP Jonathan Banner Sells 6,201 Shares

McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) EVP Jonathan Banner sold 6,201 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $333.29, for a total transaction of $2,066,731.29. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 2,291 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $763,567.39. The trade was a 73.02% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link.

McDonald’s Stock Up 0.6%

NYSE MCD traded up $1.97 on Thursday, reaching $334.98. The stock had a trading volume of 259,649 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,338,282. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $315.63 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $309.77. McDonald’s Corporation has a 12-month low of $283.47 and a 12-month high of $336.94. The firm has a market capitalization of $238.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.05, a P/E/G ratio of 2.96 and a beta of 0.52.

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 11th. The fast-food giant reported $3.12 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.05 by $0.07. McDonald’s had a negative return on equity of 343.90% and a net margin of 31.85%.The firm had revenue of $7.01 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.81 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.83 EPS. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 9.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts forecast that McDonald’s Corporation will post 12.25 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

McDonald’s Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 17th. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 3rd will be issued a $1.86 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 3rd. This represents a $7.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.2%. McDonald’s’s payout ratio is 62.26%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Guggenheim reduced their price objective on McDonald’s from $325.00 to $320.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 13th. Piper Sandler lifted their price objective on McDonald’s from $323.00 to $325.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 12th. Barclays upped their target price on shares of McDonald’s from $372.00 to $380.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 12th. Argus upgraded shares of McDonald’s from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $380.00 price target for the company in a research note on Friday, February 13th. Finally, Mizuho increased their price objective on shares of McDonald’s from $300.00 to $325.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, February 6th. Sixteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, McDonald’s currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $337.57.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Decker Retirement Planning Inc. lifted 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 valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 50 shares during the period. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC purchased a new stake in shares of McDonald’s during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Evergreen Private Wealth LLC grew its holdings in shares of McDonald’s by 162.5% in the 3rd quarter. Evergreen Private Wealth LLC now owns 84 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 52 shares during the period. Your Advocates Ltd. LLP purchased a new position in McDonald’s in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Finally, Park Place Capital Corp raised its holdings 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 last quarter. 70.29% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Trending Headlines about McDonald’s

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

About McDonald’s

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.