Analysts Set McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) PT at $325.88

McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) has been given a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” by the twenty-seven analysts that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Eleven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, fifteen have assigned a buy recommendation and one has assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $322.9583.

Several research firms have recently weighed in on MCD. Evercore set a $320.00 price target on McDonald’s in a research note on Thursday, July 23rd. Sanford C. Bernstein reiterated a “market perform” rating and issued a $295.00 price objective on shares of McDonald’s in a report on Wednesday, August 5th. Argus decreased their target price on McDonald’s from $320.00 to $310.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their target price on shares of McDonald’s from $305.00 to $295.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, August 5th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price target on shares of McDonald’s from $335.00 to $345.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 5th.

Insider Transactions at McDonald’s

In related news, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 5,252 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $284.32, for a total value of $1,493,248.64. Following the sale, the insider owned 7,734 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,198,930.88. This trade represents a 40.44% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.26% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On McDonald’s

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of MCD. Hamilton Point Investment Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of McDonald’s by 1.8% during the 4th quarter. Hamilton Point Investment Advisors LLC now owns 1,750 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $535,000 after purchasing an additional 31 shares during the period. Encompass More Asset Management lifted its stake in shares of McDonald’s by 1.5% in the 4th quarter. Encompass More Asset Management now owns 2,120 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $648,000 after purchasing an additional 32 shares during the period. Richmond Investment Services LLC lifted its stake in shares of McDonald’s by 1.4% in the 4th quarter. Richmond Investment Services LLC now owns 2,278 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $696,000 after purchasing an additional 32 shares during the period. Papamarkou Wellner Asset Management inc. boosted its holdings in shares of McDonald’s by 0.4% in the fourth quarter. Papamarkou Wellner Asset Management inc. now owns 8,809 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $2,692,000 after buying an additional 32 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of McDonald’s by 1.6% in the fourth quarter. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 2,102 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $642,000 after buying an additional 33 shares during the last quarter. 70.29% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

McDonald’s Stock Up 1.9%

MCD opened at $265.05 on Monday. McDonald’s has a 52 week low of $259.85 and a 52 week high of $341.75. The stock has a market cap of $187.56 billion, a PE ratio of 21.53, a PEG ratio of 2.91 and a beta of 0.41. The business has a 50 day moving average of $270.67 and a 200-day moving average of $291.72.

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 4th. The fast-food giant reported $3.38 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.32 by $0.06. McDonald’s had a net margin of 31.72% and a negative return on equity of 572.06%. The business had revenue of $7.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.13 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $3.19 earnings per share. McDonald’s’s quarterly revenue was up 3.7% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts anticipate that McDonald’s will post 12.87 EPS for the current year.

McDonald’s Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 16th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 1st will be given a dividend of $1.86 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 1st. This represents a $7.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.8%. McDonald’s’s dividend payout ratio is 60.44%.

McDonald’s News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Investors purchased 34,703 MCD call options, approximately 34% above typical volume. The activity may indicate increased bullish speculation, though options flow alone does not confirm a sustained rally.
• Positive Sentiment: McDonald’s benefited from a modest rebound in burger stocks as traders considered whether elevated short interest could contribute to a short squeeze. Wendy’s Climbs 4%, McDonald’s Ticks Up: Is Short Interest Setting Up a Squeeze in the Burger Trade?
• Positive Sentiment: The company is bringing back Spicy McNuggets on September 1 after a two-year absence, alongside other limited-time menu items and seasonal coffee promotions. These launches could support traffic and customer engagement, although their financial impact is likely modest. McDonald’s to Bring Back Spicy McNuggets
• Positive Sentiment: A consumer survey again ranked McDonald’s fries ahead of major competitors, reinforcing the brand’s strong customer recognition. A Hello Kitty and Godzilla Happy Meal promotion may provide additional promotional appeal.
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst comparisons with Domino’s highlight McDonald’s global expansion, digital initiatives and customer-engagement efforts, but do not represent a new company-specific catalyst. McDonald’s vs. Domino’s: Which Stock Has Better Growth Prospects?
• Neutral Sentiment: Reports about a fake McDonald’s support bot promising free premium AI tools appear to be a scam warning rather than an operating or earnings development.
• Negative Sentiment: Argus lowered its McDonald’s price target to $310, signaling more limited near-term upside despite the target remaining above the current market level. Argus Lowers McDonald’s Price Target
• Negative Sentiment: McDonald’s slipped with other burger stocks after takeover speculation surrounding Wendy’s faded, removing a sector-wide catalyst. Separately, commentary pointing to weakening consumer conditions raises concerns about pressure on traffic and value-focused spending, though the claim is not a formal company forecast.

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.