Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. Sells 10,036 Shares of McDonald’s Corporation $MCD

Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. lowered its holdings in shares of McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) by 8.7% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 104,889 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock after selling 10,036 shares during the period. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co.’s holdings in McDonald’s were worth $28,352,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Hamilton Point Investment Advisors LLC grew its position in McDonald’s by 1.8% in the 4th quarter. Hamilton Point Investment Advisors LLC now owns 1,750 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $535,000 after purchasing an additional 31 shares during the period. Encompass More Asset Management increased its position in shares of McDonald’s by 1.5% during the 4th quarter. Encompass More Asset Management now owns 2,120 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $648,000 after purchasing an additional 32 shares during the last quarter. Richmond Investment Services LLC increased its stake in shares of McDonald’s by 1.4% during the 4th quarter. Richmond Investment Services LLC now owns 2,278 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $696,000 after purchasing an additional 32 shares during the last quarter. Papamarkou Wellner Asset Management inc. grew its stake in shares of McDonald’s by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. Papamarkou Wellner Asset Management inc. now owns 8,809 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $2,692,000 after acquiring an additional 32 shares during the period. Finally, Allied Investment Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of McDonald’s by 2.6% in the fourth quarter. Allied Investment Advisors LLC now owns 1,366 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $417,000 after purchasing an additional 34 shares during the period. 70.29% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key Headlines Impacting McDonald’s

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

• Positive Sentiment: International operated markets delivered 1.5% comparable-sales growth in the second quarter of 2026, led by Germany, Australia and the United Kingdom. Value offers, menu innovation and loyalty programs could help McDonald’s offset softer demand in some regions. Can MCD’s International Markets Drive Growth Amid Consumer Pressure?
• Positive Sentiment: A SpongeBob and One Piece-themed Happy Meal is scheduled to launch September 15. The high-profile collaboration may support traffic, family demand and promotional engagement, although its financial impact is likely limited. McDonald’s Announces SpongeBob/One Piece Collab Happy Meal
• Neutral Sentiment: McDonald’s and Burger King introduced chicken-nugget offerings on the same day, highlighting continued menu competition. The launch could generate traffic but also underscores the crowded quick-service restaurant market. Chicken nuggets land on menus at Burger King, McDonald’s on same day
• Negative Sentiment: McDonald’s has lagged the S&P 500 over the past year, and its shares are near a 12-month low. Analysts remain moderately optimistic, but the relative weakness suggests investors are concerned about growth and valuation amid a challenging consumer environment. Is McDonald’s Stock Underperforming the S&P 500?

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

MCD has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their target price on shares of McDonald’s from $305.00 to $295.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, August 5th. Freedom Capital raised McDonald’s from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 5th. Argus reduced their price objective on McDonald’s from $320.00 to $310.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, August 26th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on shares of McDonald’s from $320.00 to $300.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, July 16th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein restated a “market perform” rating and set a $295.00 price target on shares of McDonald’s in a report on Wednesday, August 5th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have given a Buy rating and eleven have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $322.96.

Insider Transactions at McDonald’s

In other McDonald’s news, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 5,252 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $284.32, for a total value of $1,493,248.64. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 7,734 shares in the company, valued at $2,198,930.88. This represents a 40.44% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.26% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

McDonald’s Price Performance

NYSE:MCD opened at $261.11 on Wednesday. McDonald’s Corporation has a one year low of $259.85 and a one year high of $341.75. The firm has a market capitalization of $184.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.21, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.95 and a beta of 0.41. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $270.33 and a 200-day moving average price of $290.60.

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The fast-food giant reported $3.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.32 by $0.06. McDonald’s had a negative return on equity of 572.06% and a net margin of 31.72%.The firm had revenue of $7.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $7.13 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $3.19 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was up 3.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts expect that McDonald’s Corporation will post 12.87 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

McDonald’s Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 16th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 1st will be given a $1.86 dividend. This represents a $7.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 1st. McDonald’s’s dividend payout ratio is 60.44%.

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.