West Branch Capital LLC Sells 5,334 Shares of McDonald’s Corporation $MCD

West Branch Capital LLC decreased its holdings in shares of McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) by 57.6% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 3,927 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock after selling 5,334 shares during the quarter. West Branch Capital LLC’s holdings in McDonald’s were worth $1,061,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Brighton Jones LLC raised its holdings in shares of McDonald’s by 21.6% during the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 9,286 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $2,692,000 after acquiring an additional 1,649 shares in the last quarter. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC increased its position in McDonald’s by 2.8% during the 4th quarter. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC now owns 1,942 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $563,000 after purchasing an additional 52 shares during the period. Sivia Capital Partners LLC increased its position in McDonald’s by 11.4% during the 2nd quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC now owns 2,017 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $589,000 after purchasing an additional 206 shares during the period. United Bank raised its holdings in McDonald’s by 6.0% in the 2nd quarter. United Bank now owns 8,102 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $2,367,000 after purchasing an additional 459 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Schnieders Capital Management LLC. raised its holdings in McDonald’s by 2.5% in the 2nd quarter. Schnieders Capital Management LLC. now owns 12,938 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $3,780,000 after purchasing an additional 312 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.29% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity at McDonald’s

In other news, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 5,252 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $284.32, for a total transaction of $1,493,248.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 7,734 shares in the company, valued at $2,198,930.88. This trade represents a 40.44% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Desiree Ralls-Morrison sold 2,763 shares of McDonald’s stock in a transaction dated 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 transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 6,268 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,744,760.48. This represents a 30.59% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold a total of 8,348 shares of company stock worth $2,355,634 in the last 90 days. 0.26% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

McDonald’s News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: McDonald’s will begin selling a Red Bull Dragonberry Energizer on Aug. 17, along with a new “dirty soda,” marking its first entry into energy drinks. The move could attract younger customers, increase beverage sales and diversify the menu. McDonald’s is getting into the energy game with Red Bull
• Positive Sentiment: A Hello Kitty and Godzilla/Kaiju Happy Meal promotion is scheduled to launch Aug. 18. The collectible toys may support near-term traffic and family visits, although the financial impact is likely limited. McDonald’s Hello Kitty and Godzilla crossover arrives August 18
• Positive Sentiment: McDonald’s USA promoted longtime employee Patrick Gerber to chief restaurant officer. His mandate to improve restaurant operations and standards could help address execution issues in the U.S. McDonald’s USA appoints chief restaurant officer
• Neutral Sentiment: The company still expects substantial unit growth, including about 2,600 openings in 2026, but has pushed its 50,000-store target to 2028. Management describes the delay as disciplined expansion amid softer U.S. demand. McDonald’s pushes 50,000-store goal to 2028
• Negative Sentiment: Recent analysis highlights slowing U.S. comparable sales, competitive pressure from a strengthening Burger King, and management’s acknowledgment of execution missteps. Concerns that value promotions are no longer sufficient could weigh on traffic and margins. McDonald’s faces fresh U.S. growth questions
• Negative Sentiment: Erste Group Bank lowered its 2027 EPS forecast to $14.00 from $14.15 and maintained a Hold rating, reinforcing concerns about the company’s growth outlook and valuation. McDonald’s analyst estimate update
• Negative Sentiment: Krispy Kreme’s turnaround coverage notes that its nationwide McDonald’s partnership has ended, removing a distribution relationship that had offered McDonald’s an additional dessert and snack channel. Krispy Kreme’s turnaround sees many wins

McDonald’s Price Performance

Shares of NYSE MCD opened at $273.83 on Wednesday. McDonald’s Corporation has a 1 year low of $260.96 and a 1 year high of $341.75. The stock has a market cap of $194.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.24, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.06 and a beta of 0.41. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $273.92 and a 200 day moving average of $295.91.

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 4th. The fast-food giant reported $3.38 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.32 by $0.06. McDonald’s had a net margin of 31.72% and a negative return on equity of 512.80%. The business had revenue of $7.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $7.13 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $3.19 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was up 3.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts expect that McDonald’s Corporation will post 12.88 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 Wednesday, September 16th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 1st will be paid a $1.86 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 1st. This represents a $7.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.7%. McDonald’s’s dividend payout ratio is presently 60.44%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their target price on shares of McDonald’s from $335.00 to $345.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 5th. Barclays lowered their price objective on shares of McDonald’s from $380.00 to $350.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Friday, May 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on McDonald’s from $325.00 to $305.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, May 11th. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their target price on McDonald’s from $305.00 to $295.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, August 5th. Finally, Evercore set a $320.00 target price on McDonald’s in a research note on Thursday, July 23rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Buy rating and twelve have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $325.44.

McDonald’s Company 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.