McDonald’s Corporation $MCD Stock Acquired by Sowell Financial Services LLC

Sowell Financial Services LLC boosted its stake in shares of McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) by 18.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 29,678 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock after buying an additional 4,607 shares during the period. Sowell Financial Services LLC’s holdings in McDonald’s were worth $6,854,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Purpose Unlimited Inc. bought a new stake in shares of McDonald’s during the fourth quarter worth $31,000. GKV Capital Management Co. Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of McDonald’s during the first quarter worth $33,000. Merkkuri Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in McDonald’s in the 1st quarter valued at $43,000. Financial Life Planners bought a new stake in McDonald’s in the 1st quarter valued at $51,000. Finally, Vermillion Wealth Management Inc. lifted its position in McDonald’s by 30.5% in the 1st quarter. Vermillion Wealth Management Inc. now owns 171 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $53,000 after acquiring an additional 40 shares in the last quarter. 70.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

McDonald’s Stock Performance

MCD opened at $246.47 on Wednesday. The business’s 50-day simple moving average is $250.89 and its 200 day simple moving average is $270.92. McDonald’s Corporation has a 52-week low of $229.20 and a 52-week high of $341.75. The firm has a market capitalization of $174.41 billion, a PE ratio of 20.02, a PEG ratio of 2.72 and a beta of 0.44.

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The fast-food giant reported $3.38 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.32 by $0.06. The firm had revenue of $7.10 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.13 billion. McDonald’s had a negative return on equity of 572.06% and a net margin of 31.72%. The business’s revenue was up 3.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $3.19 earnings per share. On average, research analysts forecast that McDonald’s Corporation will post 12.84 earnings per share for the current year.

McDonald’s Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 1st will be paid a dividend of $1.93 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 1st. This represents a $7.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.1%. This is an increase from McDonald’s’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.86. McDonald’s’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 60.44%.

Key Stories Impacting McDonald’s

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

• Positive Sentiment: Valuation and dividend appeal: McDonald’s trades at a historically low earnings multiple relative to its own recent averages, while its dividend yield is near multiyear highs. Investors may view the pullback over the past year as an opportunity, particularly with the company’s long record of dividend increases. Is the Market Underpricing McDonald’s Stock?
• Positive Sentiment: Long-term strategy remains a potential catalyst: UBS said McDonald’s NEXT growth plan and its value initiatives could outweigh near-term U.S. weakness and help the company gain global market share in 2027. The heavily franchised model also supports cash generation and shareholder returns. McDonald’s NEXT Plan and Value Push
• Positive Sentiment: Seasonal marketing and restaurant expansion: Disney Villains-themed Halloween Boo Buckets launched October 20, reviving a popular collectible promotion that could increase visits and generate social-media attention. Separately, two new restaurants are planned for the north Fort Worth suburbs, while another recently opened in West Michigan, indicating continued unit expansion. McDonald’s Boo Buckets Are Back
• Neutral Sentiment: Recent financial performance was mixed: McDonald’s last reported quarterly EPS above consensus, but revenue fell slightly short of expectations. Investors are likely looking to upcoming results for evidence that value offerings and promotions are improving comparable-store sales.
• Negative Sentiment: Pricing power is under pressure: Morgan Stanley warned that lower-income consumers are pulling back, limiting McDonald’s ability to raise prices without hurting traffic. This could pressure margins and same-store sales. McDonald’s Pricing-Power Problem
• Negative Sentiment: Reputational and ownership risks: Reports of scrutiny involving McDonald’s and Deloitte over alleged menu-pricing practices could create negative publicity, while one wealth manager substantially reduced its MCD position. These developments appear company-specific but may add to investor caution.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

MCD has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. HC Wainwright set a $250.00 target price on shares of McDonald’s in a research note on Friday, September 25th. Oppenheimer dropped their price target on McDonald’s from $325.00 to $295.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, September 24th. Piper Sandler set a $286.00 price objective on McDonald’s in a research report on Tuesday, August 4th. Seaport Research Partners assumed coverage on McDonald’s in a research report on Wednesday, September 16th. They issued a “neutral” rating on the stock. Finally, Daiwa Securities Group lowered their price objective on shares of McDonald’s from $309.00 to $293.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, August 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have assigned a Buy rating, thirteen have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, McDonald’s currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $295.64.

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.