McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) Given Average Rating of “Hold” by Brokerages

Shares of McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) have been given an average rating of “Hold” by the thirty-one brokerages that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, fourteen have assigned a hold recommendation and fifteen have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month target price among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $331.3704.

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Morgan Stanley set a $335.00 target price on shares of McDonald’s in a report on Friday, October 17th. BTIG Research raised McDonald’s from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $360.00 price target for the company in a research report on Monday. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of McDonald’s in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Citigroup reduced their price objective on McDonald’s from $381.00 to $375.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. Finally, Piper Sandler reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and issued a $325.00 target price on shares of McDonald’s in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd.

McDonald’s News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $1.86 per share payable March 17, 2026 — a direct return of capital that supports income investors and signals confidence in cash flow. McDONALD’S ANNOUNCES QUARTERLY CASH DIVIDEND
• Positive Sentiment: BTIG upgraded MCD to Buy, which can push momentum as funds and retail investors often follow upgrades. BTIG Research Upgrades McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) to Buy
• Positive Sentiment: McDonald’s global marketing push — widely covered stories about free “McNugget Caviar” kits and Valentine’s Day promotions — is creating brand buzz and foot-traffic experiments that can lift short-term comps and social engagement. McDonald’s is giving away free McNugget Caviar kits for Valentine’s Day. How to get yours
• Positive Sentiment: Loek Beckers named CFO of McDonald’s USA — an important leadership hire for U.S. operations that can support execution on cost and growth initiatives. Loek Beckers named CFO of McDonald’s USA
• Neutral Sentiment: McDonald’s said it is scaling back soda fountains and hinted at larger format/technology changes — could reduce costs and drive modernization, but execution and capital requirements are uncertain. McDonald’s is scaling back soda fountains – and it hints at a larger change ahead
• Neutral Sentiment: Company reminders and calendar items: the firm flagged investor resources and the upcoming quarterly earnings release — investors will focus on the report for guidance and same-store sales color. McDonald’s (MCD) to Release Quarterly Earnings on Wednesday
• Negative Sentiment: A Zacks preview argued McDonald’s may not have the right setup for an earnings beat, highlighting uncertainty around near-term margin/traffic drivers — a reminder that growth expectations may be tempered. McDonald’s (MCD) Earnings Expected to Grow: Should You Buy?

McDonald’s Stock Up 1.2%

NYSE:MCD opened at $323.28 on Thursday. McDonald’s has a twelve month low of $283.47 and a twelve month high of $326.95. The firm has a market capitalization of $230.22 billion, a PE ratio of 27.58, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.23 and a beta of 0.52. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $310.43 and its 200 day simple moving average is $306.92.

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The fast-food giant reported $3.22 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.33 by ($0.11). The firm had revenue of $7.08 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.10 billion. McDonald’s had a negative return on equity of 280.89% and a net margin of 32.04%.The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $3.23 earnings per share. On average, analysts anticipate that McDonald’s will post 12.25 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 3,195 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $305.82, for a total transaction of $977,094.90. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 6,088 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,861,832.16. This represents a 34.42% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Manuel Jm Steijaert sold 6,567 shares of McDonald’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $305.50, for a total value of $2,006,218.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 4,606 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,407,133. This trade represents a 58.78% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold a total of 32,008 shares of company stock valued at $9,895,452 in the last 90 days. 0.25% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of MCD. Catalyst Financial Partners LLC raised its stake in McDonald’s by 3.7% in the fourth quarter. Catalyst Financial Partners LLC now owns 4,007 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $1,225,000 after buying an additional 144 shares during the last quarter. Moneco Advisors LLC increased its holdings in McDonald’s by 1.2% in the fourth quarter. Moneco Advisors LLC now owns 5,355 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $1,637,000 after buying an additional 62 shares in the last quarter. Strategic Family Wealth Counselors L.L.C. acquired a new stake in McDonald’s in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $356,000. Heritage Wealth Management Inc. CA lifted its holdings in McDonald’s by 5.0% during the fourth quarter. Heritage Wealth Management Inc. CA now owns 1,023 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $313,000 after purchasing an additional 49 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Biltmore Family Office LLC increased its stake in McDonald’s by 9.1% during the 4th quarter. Biltmore Family Office LLC now owns 4,673 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $1,428,000 after buying an additional 389 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.29% of the company’s stock.

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.