Ascentis Wealth Management LLC Increases Stake in McDonald's Corporation $MCD

Ascentis Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in shares of McDonald's Corporation (NYSE:MCD - Free Report) by 4,008.8% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 84,230 shares of the fast-food giant's stock after purchasing an additional 82,180 shares during the period. McDonald's comprises 1.3% of Ascentis Wealth Management LLC's holdings, making the stock its 13th biggest holding. Ascentis Wealth Management LLC's holdings in McDonald's were worth $22,768,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Your Advocates Ltd. LLP purchased a new position in McDonald's during the 4th quarter worth $27,000. IFC & Insurance Marketing Inc. purchased a new stake in McDonald's in the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. Abound Financial LLC bought a new position in McDonald's during the 4th quarter worth about $30,000. DecisionPoint Financial LLC grew its holdings in McDonald's by 1,616.7% during the 4th quarter. DecisionPoint Financial LLC now owns 103 shares of the fast-food giant's stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 97 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Entrust Financial LLC purchased a new stake in McDonald's during the fourth quarter worth $31,000. 70.29% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Key Headlines Impacting McDonald's

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

• Positive Sentiment: McDonald’s is emphasizing lower-priced meals to win back cost-conscious customers, a potentially supportive strategy as consumers increasingly prioritize value. McDonald’s is betting on cheaper meals to win back customers
• Positive Sentiment: New growth initiatives include Red Bull energy drinks, additional beverages and limited-time menu items. These products could increase traffic and average spending while supporting a simpler restaurant operating model. McDonald’s bringing Red Bull drinks and new sodas to US customers
• Positive Sentiment: The Hello Kitty x Godzilla Happy Meal promotion may generate customer interest and family traffic when it launches, although its financial impact is likely limited. McDonald’s Announces Eight Hello Kitty x Godzilla Toys
• Neutral Sentiment: Recent earnings showed adjusted EPS of $3.38, above expectations, while revenue of $7.10 billion was slightly below consensus. Management acknowledged inconsistent value-menu execution and excessive operational complexity, making successful implementation of the turnaround strategy critical. Five Insightful Analyst Questions From McDonald’s Q2 Earnings Call
• Negative Sentiment: McDonald’s is reportedly losing ground to Burger King and other low-cost alternatives, including gas-station food, as customers seek cheaper meals. Slowing second-quarter sales growth raises concerns about U.S. traffic and market share. The burger wars are heating up as McDonald’s loses ground
• Negative Sentiment: Erste Group lowered its fiscal 2027 EPS forecast, adding to investor concerns about earnings growth. McDonald’s FY2027 EPS Forecast Lowered
• Negative Sentiment: Reports that McDonald’s maintained a 515-page customer dossier could create privacy and reputational risks, though the immediate financial effect is unclear. McDonald’s customer dossier report

Insider Activity at McDonald's

In other McDonald's news, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 5,252 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $284.32, for a total transaction of $1,493,248.64. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 7,734 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,198,930.88. This trade represents a 40.44% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Desiree Ralls-Morrison sold 2,763 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $278.36, for a total transaction of $769,108.68. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 6,268 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,744,760.48. This represents a 30.59% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 8,348 shares of company stock valued at $2,355,634. Corporate insiders own 0.26% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

MCD has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Robert W. Baird cut their price target on McDonald's from $305.00 to $285.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, August 5th. Evercore set a $320.00 target price on McDonald's in a research note on Thursday, July 23rd. Tigress Financial lifted their price objective on shares of McDonald's from $385.00 to $390.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, July 17th. Piper Sandler set a $286.00 price objective on shares of McDonald's in a research note on Tuesday, August 4th. Finally, BTIG Research reissued a "buy" rating and set a $350.00 target price on shares of McDonald's in a research report on Wednesday, August 5th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Buy rating and twelve have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $325.44.

McDonald's Trading Up 0.1%

MCD opened at $272.61 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $273.81 and a two-hundred day moving average of $295.28. The firm has a market capitalization of $192.91 billion, a PE ratio of 22.15, a P/E/G ratio of 3.05 and a beta of 0.41. McDonald's Corporation has a 12-month low of $260.96 and a 12-month high of $341.75.

McDonald's (NYSE:MCD - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results 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 during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.13 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $3.19 earnings per share. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 3.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts predict that McDonald's Corporation will post 12.88 EPS for the current fiscal year.

McDonald's Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 16th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 1st will be paid a dividend of $1.86 per share. This represents a $7.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 1st. McDonald's's dividend payout ratio is presently 60.44%.

About McDonald's

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.

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