Rep. Josh Gottheimer Unloads Shares of McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD)

Representative Josh Gottheimer (Democratic-New Jersey) recently sold shares of McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD). In a filing disclosed on October 7th, the Representative disclosed that they had sold between $1,001 and $15,000 in McDonald’s stock on September 25th. The trade occurred in the Representative’s “MORGAN STANLEY – SELECT UMA ACCOUNT # 1” account.

Representative Josh Gottheimer also recently made the following trade(s):

• Sold $1,001 – $15,000 in shares of Applied Materials (NASDAQ:AMAT) on 9/15/2026.
• Purchased $1,001 – $15,000 in shares of Restaurant Brands International (NYSE:QSR) on 8/6/2026.
• Purchased $1,001 – $15,000 in shares of Applied Materials (NASDAQ:AMAT) on 8/6/2026.
• Purchased $1,001 – $15,000 in shares of (NASDAQ:GOOGM) on 7/24/2026.
• Purchased $1,001 – $15,000 in shares of (NASDAQ:GOOGN) on 7/24/2026.
• Sold $1,001 – $15,000 in shares of Crown Castle (NYSE:CCI) on 7/23/2026.
• Purchased $1,001 – $15,000 in shares of (NASDAQ:GOOGN) on 7/23/2026.
• Purchased $1,001 – $15,000 in shares of NiCE (NASDAQ:NICE) on 7/20/2026.
• Purchased $1,001 – $15,000 in shares of SailPoint (NASDAQ:SAIL) on 7/20/2026.
• Sold $1,001 – $15,000 in shares of Chart Industries (NYSE:GTLS) on 7/17/2026.

McDonald’s Stock Performance

Shares of McDonald’s stock opened at $236.64 on Friday. McDonald’s Corporation has a 52-week low of $229.20 and a 52-week high of $341.75. The business’s 50 day simple moving average is $256.02 and its 200 day simple moving average is $274.80. The firm has a market cap of $167.46 billion, a PE ratio of 19.22, a P/E/G ratio of 2.58 and a beta of 0.44.

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 4th. The fast-food giant reported $3.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating 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 572.06%. The company had revenue of $7.10 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.13 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $3.19 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was up 3.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts predict that McDonald’s Corporation will post 12.85 EPS for the current year.

McDonald’s Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 1st will be given a $1.93 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 1st. This represents a $7.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.3%. This is a boost from McDonald’s’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.86. McDonald’s’s payout ratio is 60.44%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On McDonald’s

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Mn Services Vermogensbeheer B.V. boosted its holdings in shares of McDonald’s by 1.7% during the 3rd quarter. Mn Services Vermogensbeheer B.V. now owns 210,599 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $48,636,000 after buying an additional 3,600 shares during the period. Diversified Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of McDonald’s by 47.6% in the third quarter. Diversified Management Inc. now owns 5,424 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $1,253,000 after acquiring an additional 1,750 shares in the last quarter. First Heartland Consultants Inc. grew its stake in shares of McDonald’s by 55.3% in the third quarter. First Heartland Consultants Inc. now owns 2,173 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $502,000 after acquiring an additional 774 shares in the last quarter. Hamilton Capital LLC increased its position in McDonald’s by 2.5% during the third quarter. Hamilton Capital LLC now owns 2,792 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $645,000 after acquiring an additional 68 shares during the period. Finally, Davis Capital Management raised its stake in McDonald’s by 196.6% in the 3rd quarter. Davis Capital Management now owns 2,874 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $664,000 after purchasing an additional 1,905 shares in the last quarter. 70.29% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Key Stories Impacting McDonald’s

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

• Positive Sentiment: McDonald’s outperformed during a weaker broader market session, suggesting investors may be viewing the stock as a defensive consumer name. Its high-margin, approximately 98%-franchised model and strong cash generation remain important supports. Why the Market Dipped But McDonald’s Gained Today
• Positive Sentiment: BetterInvesting Magazine identified MCD as an “Undervalued Stock,” while commentary highlighted its profitability, cash flows and compressed valuation after a prolonged decline. The company’s accelerated dividend decision and new U.S. president also signal a continued focus on shareholder returns and improving domestic execution. BetterInvesting Magazine Update
• Neutral Sentiment: McDonald’s is promoting its Monopoly campaign, pickle-focused products and Chicago Marathon pickle-juice activation. These initiatives could boost traffic and brand engagement, but their direct effect on revenue and earnings is uncertain. McDonald’s Monopoly Returns
• Negative Sentiment: McDonald’s faces a proposed federal class-action lawsuit alleging its AI-enhanced pricing tool helps franchisees exchange nonpublic sales data and coordinate prices. McDonald’s denies the allegations, saying the system only recommends prices and does not set menu prices, but the case creates potential antitrust costs, reputational damage and regulatory risk. McDonald’s Sued Over AI Pricing Tool
• Negative Sentiment: Sanford C. Bernstein lowered its price target from $295 to $250 and assigned a “market perform” rating, reflecting concern about McDonald’s growth outlook. Reports also say $5 meals and other promotions have not restored customer visits, while franchisees are resisting costly restaurant upgrades connected to the company’s $8.5 billion modernization plan. McDonald’s Deals Are Not Winning Customers Back

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on MCD shares. Evercore decreased their price objective on McDonald’s from $320.00 to $300.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, September 24th. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price target on McDonald’s from $335.00 to $310.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, September 24th. Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their price objective on McDonald’s from $290.00 to $285.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, September 24th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their target price on shares of McDonald’s from $260.00 to $250.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, September 29th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on shares of McDonald’s from $300.00 to $270.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have issued a Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $295.94.

About Representative Gottheimer

Josh Gottheimer (Democratic Party) is a member of the U.S. House, representing New Jersey’s 5th Congressional District. He assumed office on January 3, 2017. His current term ends on January 3, 2027.

Gottheimer (Democratic Party) is running for re-election to the U.S. House to represent New Jersey’s 5th Congressional District. He declared candidacy for the 2026 election.

Gottheimer is also running for election for Governor of New Jersey. He declared candidacy for the Democratic primary scheduled on June 10, 2025.

Gottheimer attended the University of Pennsylvania for his undergraduate degree. He became a Thouron Fellow at Oxford and attended Harvard Law School. Gottheimer worked as a speech writer under former President Bill Clinton (D), assisting with two State of the Union addresses, among other projects. Before running for Congress, he worked for Microsoft as a general manager for corporate strategy.

About McDonald’s

McDonald’s Corporation is a global quick-service restaurant company that operates and franchises restaurants under the McDonald’s brand. Its restaurants serve a menu that includes hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches, French fries, breakfast items, desserts, salads, beverages and coffee. Offerings vary by market, and many locations provide drive-thru service, delivery and digital ordering through the McDonald’s mobile app.

The company operates through a heavily franchised business model, with restaurants owned and operated by independent franchisees, affiliates and the company itself.