McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) Reaches New 52-Week High on Earnings Beat

McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) shares reached a new 52-week high during trading on Thursday following a better than expected earnings announcement. The stock traded as high as $333.38 and last traded at $323.7420, with a volume of 1125923 shares. The stock had previously closed at $323.21.

The fast-food giant reported $3.12 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.05 by $0.07. McDonald’s had a negative return on equity of 280.89% and a net margin of 32.04%.The business had revenue of $7.01 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.81 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $2.83 earnings per share. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 9.7% on a year-over-year basis.

McDonald’s Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 3rd will be issued a dividend of $1.86 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 3rd. This represents a $7.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.3%. McDonald’s’s dividend payout ratio is 63.48%.

Trending Headlines about McDonald’s

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

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 beat — McDonald’s reported stronger-than-expected fourth-quarter results (revenue ~ $7.01B, EPS above consensus) that underpinned the rally after the print. Reuters: McDonald’s beats quarterly global sales estimates
• Positive Sentiment: Value strategy is working — Management says Extra Value Meals and promotions lifted traffic and produced the fastest comparable-sales growth in >2 years; loyalty engagement and systemwide sales gains support near-term revenue momentum. PR Newswire: McDONALD’S reports Q4 & full-year 2025
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst upgrades/price-target increases — Several firms raised targets and ratings (notably BTIG lifted its target toward $370), reinforcing bullish expectations and supporting the share move. The Fly: BTIG raises McDonald’s price target
• Neutral Sentiment: Marketing/pop-culture buzz — Limited-time promotions (McNugget “caviar” kits, Shamrock Shake seasonality) generated strong media attention and likely short-term traffic spikes, but are unlikely to be a sustained earnings driver on their own. ABC7: McDonald’s launches McNugget caviar kits
• Negative Sentiment: Franchisee tensions — Reports that some franchisees resist centralized pricing/value initiatives introduce execution risk; inconsistent local pricing could limit margin upside or slow rollout of nationally coordinated promotions. CNBC: Value is key but creates franchisee tensions
• Negative Sentiment: Insider selling — A disclosed sale by a senior U.S. executive (Form 4 filed) could be read as near-term profit-taking after the earnings pop and may weigh on sentiment for some investors. SEC Form 4: Insider sale disclosure

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on MCD shares. KeyCorp upped their price target on McDonald’s from $335.00 to $340.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, January 9th. Sanford C. Bernstein reissued a “market perform” rating and set a $340.00 price objective on shares of McDonald’s in a research report on Thursday. BTIG Research upped their target price on shares of McDonald’s from $360.00 to $370.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday. Robert W. Baird set a $335.00 price target on shares of McDonald’s in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Guggenheim boosted their price target on shares of McDonald’s from $310.00 to $325.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 3rd. Fourteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $333.42.

Insider Transactions at McDonald’s

In related news, CFO Ian Frederick Borden sold 17,134 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $310.00, for a total transaction of $5,311,540.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 26,353 shares in the company, valued at $8,169,430. This trade represents a 39.40% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through 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 transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 4,606 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,407,133. This trade represents a 58.78% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold a total of 34,634 shares of company stock worth $10,749,559 over the last three months. 0.25% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of McDonald’s during the second quarter worth about $2,780,712,000. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in McDonald’s by 29,382.3% during the 2nd quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 5,737,548 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $1,676,339,000 after acquiring an additional 5,718,087 shares during the last quarter. Soundwatch Capital LLC acquired a new stake in McDonald’s during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,412,069,000. Viking Global Investors LP lifted its position in McDonald’s by 171.7% during the 2nd quarter. Viking Global Investors LP now owns 3,125,432 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $913,157,000 after acquiring an additional 1,974,998 shares during the period. Finally, Amundi increased its holdings in shares of McDonald’s by 96.0% in the second quarter. Amundi now owns 4,032,676 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $1,188,147,000 after purchasing an additional 1,974,751 shares during the period. 70.29% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

McDonald’s Price Performance

The company has a 50 day moving average price of $312.21 and a 200 day moving average price of $307.90. The firm has a market cap of $232.34 billion, a PE ratio of 27.62, a PEG ratio of 3.29 and a beta of 0.52.

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.