McDonald’s (MCD) to Post Quarterly Earnings on Tuesday

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) is expected to release its Q2 2026 results before the market opens on Tuesday, August 4th. Analysts expect McDonald’s to announce earnings of $3.34 per share and revenue of $7.1287 billion for the quarter. Interested persons can find conference call details on the company’s upcoming Q2 2026 earning summary page for the latest details on the call scheduled for Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at 8:30 AM ET.

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 7th. The fast-food giant reported $2.83 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates 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 business had revenue of $6.52 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.47 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.67 earnings per share. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 9.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts expect McDonald’s to post $13 EPS for the current fiscal year and $14 EPS for the next fiscal year.

McDonald’s Trading Up 0.1%

McDonald’s stock opened at $270.83 on Monday. The business’s fifty day simple moving average is $274.88 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $297.63. McDonald’s has a 12 month low of $260.96 and a 12 month high of $341.75. The company has a market capitalization of $192.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.91 and a beta of 0.41.

McDonald’s Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 16th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 1st will be issued a dividend of $1.86 per share. 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 (DPR) is presently 61.34%.

Insider Buying and Selling at McDonald’s

In other news, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 5,252 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $284.32, for a total value of $1,493,248.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 7,734 shares in the company, valued at $2,198,930.88. The trade was a 40.44% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Desiree Ralls-Morrison sold 2,763 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $278.36, for a total value of $769,108.68. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 6,268 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,744,760.48. The trade was a 30.59% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold 8,348 shares of company stock valued at $2,355,634 in the last 90 days. Company 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 bought and sold shares of MCD. IFC & Insurance Marketing Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of McDonald’s during the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Swiss RE Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of McDonald’s in the fourth quarter worth approximately $36,000. Greenline Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of McDonald’s during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $55,000. Imprint Wealth LLC purchased a new position in shares of McDonald’s during the third quarter valued at approximately $60,000. Finally, Ankerstar Wealth LLC purchased a new position in shares of McDonald’s during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $68,000. Institutional investors own 70.29% of the company’s stock.

McDonald’s News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Unusually heavy call-option activity suggests some traders are positioning for upside. Investors purchased 32,245 calls, approximately 45% above the average volume of 22,241 calls.
• Positive Sentiment: Technical analyst Jay Woods said McDonald’s chart is beginning to form a potential buy signal, which could attract bargain hunters after the stock’s recent correction. CNBC article
• Positive Sentiment: McDonald’s continues to appeal to income-focused investors after declaring a quarterly dividend of $1.86 per share. Analysts also maintain a consensus “moderate buy” recommendation. Dividend strength and softer sales expectations Consensus recommendation
• Neutral Sentiment: Investors are focused on value meals, menu innovation, digital promotions, same-store sales, margins and management’s outlook when McDonald’s reports second-quarter results. Q2 earnings factors
• Negative Sentiment: Mizuho lowered its price target from $300 to $290 and assigned a “neutral” rating, signaling limited conviction despite implied upside from current levels.
• Negative Sentiment: The stock has remained below its 200-week moving average for the longest stretch since 2003, highlighting persistent technical weakness. Barchart technical analysis
• Negative Sentiment: Analysts expect softer sales and weaker earnings, particularly as lower-income consumers remain pressured. That caution could limit gains before the earnings release. McDonald’s stock ahead of August 4 earnings

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently issued reports on MCD. Weiss Ratings lowered McDonald’s from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 23rd. Robert W. Baird set a $305.00 price objective on shares of McDonald’s in a research report on Thursday, May 7th. Barclays reduced their price objective on shares of McDonald’s from $380.00 to $350.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, May 8th. Rothschild & Co Redburn raised shares of McDonald’s from a “sell” rating to a “neutral” rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $260.00 to $306.00 in a report on Thursday, April 23rd. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein reiterated a “market perform” rating on shares of McDonald’s in a research note on Monday, June 22nd. Fifteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $331.92.

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.