McDonald’s Corporation $MCD Shares Sold by Capital Research Global Investors

Capital Research Global Investors reduced its holdings in McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) by 0.4% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 6,222,275 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock after selling 25,591 shares during the period. Capital Research Global Investors’ holdings in McDonald’s were worth $1,901,719,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of McDonald’s by 1.0% in the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 72,351,127 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $22,112,675,000 after acquiring an additional 703,458 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its position in shares of McDonald’s by 0.6% in the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 35,024,857 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $10,643,704,000 after acquiring an additional 196,505 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of McDonald’s by 0.4% in the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 17,038,519 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $5,195,965,000 after acquiring an additional 76,090 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of McDonald’s in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $2,890,438,000. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its position in shares of McDonald’s by 0.8% in the fourth quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 5,283,655 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $1,614,843,000 after acquiring an additional 40,506 shares in the last quarter. 70.29% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

More McDonald’s News

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

• Positive Sentiment: McDonald’s launched a high-profile FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with collectible cups, toys, and themed meals, which could lift same-store sales and create a short-term traffic boost. McDonald’s launches global FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with collectible cups, Squishmallows
• Positive Sentiment: The company’s “McDonald’s > NEXT” menu and experience overhaul signals management is actively addressing consumer value concerns and trying to improve food quality, which investors may view as supportive for longer-term demand. McDonald’s Is Upgrading Its Menu. Should Investors Bite?
• Positive Sentiment: Multiple reports say the World Cup promotion is designed as McDonald’s biggest global campaign in years, potentially strengthening brand relevance with younger consumers and families. McDonald’s Is Launching Its Biggest-Ever Global Campaign. The Secret Weapon Is a Paper Cup.
• Neutral Sentiment: Media coverage highlighting McDonald’s appeal to Gen Z and its collectible marketing strategy may support brand momentum, but it is not yet a direct financial catalyst. Gen Z Trends Make These 3 Stocks Worth Watching (MCD)
• Neutral Sentiment: Some articles noted that McDonald’s shares have lagged this year, which frames the new campaign as a potential turnaround effort rather than proof of immediate earnings acceleration. McDonald’s Is Upgrading Its Menu. Should Investors Bite?
• Negative Sentiment: One consumer-focused report said only 40% of customers view McDonald’s as a good value, underscoring the affordability and perception challenges the company is trying to fix. Only 40% of customers think McDonald’s is a good value

McDonald’s Stock Performance

NYSE:MCD opened at $279.73 on Friday. McDonald’s Corporation has a one year low of $271.85 and a one year high of $341.75. The stock has a market cap of $198.75 billion, a PE ratio of 23.06, a P/E/G ratio of 2.79 and a beta of 0.41. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $291.97 and a 200 day moving average price of $307.54.

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 7th. The fast-food giant reported $2.83 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.74 by $0.09. McDonald’s had a negative return on equity of 442.10% and a net margin of 31.62%.The firm had revenue of $6.52 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.47 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.67 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 9.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts predict that McDonald’s Corporation will post 12.93 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

McDonald’s Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 16th. Investors of record on Tuesday, June 2nd will be issued a $1.86 dividend. This represents a $7.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, June 2nd. McDonald’s’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 61.34%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have recently weighed in on MCD. Barclays decreased their target price on McDonald’s from $380.00 to $350.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, May 8th. Tigress Financial raised their target price on McDonald’s from $360.00 to $385.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, March 6th. Sanford C. Bernstein restated a “market perform” rating and issued a $340.00 target price on shares of McDonald’s in a research report on Thursday, February 12th. Rothschild & Co Redburn upgraded McDonald’s from a “sell” rating to a “neutral” rating and raised their target price for the company from $260.00 to $306.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 23rd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group raised their target price on McDonald’s from $360.00 to $375.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 12th. Sixteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $336.26.

Insider Activity at McDonald’s

In related news, EVP Desiree Ralls-Morrison sold 2,763 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $278.36, for a total value of $769,108.68. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 6,268 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,744,760.48. This trade represents a 30.59% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 333 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $280.11, for a total value of $93,276.63. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 7,734 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,166,370.74. This represents a 4.13% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 8,681 shares of company stock valued at $2,631,594. Insiders own 0.26% of the company’s stock.

McDonald’s 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.