LPL Financial LLC Raises Stake in McDonald's Corporation $MCD

Key Points

• LPL Financial LLC increased its McDonald’s stake by 4.2% in the fourth quarter, bringing its holdings to 1,574,007 shares valued at about $481.1 million. Other institutional investors also added positions, and hedge funds now own about 70.29% of the stock.
• McDonald’s posted solid recent operating results, with Q1 earnings of $2.83 per share beating estimates and revenue rising 9.4% year over year to $6.52 billion. The company also declared a quarterly dividend of $1.86 per share, or $7.44 annually, for a 2.7% yield.
• Analysts remain broadly constructive, but price targets have been mixed: several firms trimmed targets while others raised them, leaving the consensus at “Moderate Buy” with an average price target of $336.26. Meanwhile, the stock was trading near $277.58, below both its 50-day and 200-day moving averages.

LPL Financial LLC lifted its position in shares of McDonald's Corporation (NYSE:MCD - Free Report) by 4.2% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 1,574,007 shares of the fast-food giant's stock after buying an additional 62,944 shares during the quarter. LPL Financial LLC owned approximately 0.22% of McDonald's worth $481,064,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in McDonald's in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $2,890,438,000. Viking Global Investors LP grew its holdings in McDonald's by 171.7% in the second quarter. Viking Global Investors LP now owns 3,125,432 shares of the fast-food giant's stock valued at $913,157,000 after purchasing an additional 1,974,998 shares during the period. Franklin Resources Inc. grew its holdings in McDonald's by 36.6% in the third quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 4,396,837 shares of the fast-food giant's stock valued at $1,336,155,000 after purchasing an additional 1,179,244 shares during the period. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership grew its holdings in McDonald's by 111.3% in the third quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 2,071,296 shares of the fast-food giant's stock valued at $629,446,000 after purchasing an additional 1,090,849 shares during the period. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP grew its holdings in McDonald's by 927.5% in the third quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 827,547 shares of the fast-food giant's stock valued at $251,483,000 after purchasing an additional 927,547 shares during the period. 70.29% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

McDonald's News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: McDonald’s is testing AI-powered drive-thru ordering, and early reports say the Google-based system is already reaching about 90% accuracy. That could support faster service, lower labor costs, and better margins if it scales successfully. McDonald’s Google AI Drive-Thru Ordering Hits 90% Accuracy
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts and market commentary continue to point to McDonald’s as a potential long-term winner, with one note highlighting upside tied to its recent growth strategy and another citing beverage innovation—new McCafé and energy drinks—as a way to boost traffic and ticket size in 2026. Can Beverage Innovation Fuel the Next Leg of Growth for MCD Stock?
• Positive Sentiment: McDonald’s is also promoting limited-time offerings tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which could help drive short-term customer traffic and sales. McDonald's Celebrates 2026 FIFA World Cup With Limited-Time Meals
• Neutral Sentiment: Several articles are focused on McDonald’s broader brand and menu appeal, including long-running popular orders and comparisons with competitors, but these are unlikely to materially move the stock on their own. McDonald's And Burger King Use The Same Potatoes For Fries — But One Chain Still Dominates
• Neutral Sentiment: News about a restaurant worker injury in Yuba City appears operationally isolated and does not yet suggest a companywide financial impact, though it may add some reputational noise. McDonald's Employee in ICU After Coworker Allegedly Throws Hot Oil in Yuba City Attack
• Negative Sentiment: Some coverage questions whether customers actually want AI ordering, and those concerns could temper enthusiasm around the technology rollout if service quality or customer satisfaction suffers. McDonald’s is testing AI ordering at drive-thrus — but customers don’t want it
• Negative Sentiment: Another article says McDonald’s is officially replacing drive-thru workers with AI, which could raise labor and execution concerns, even if it supports efficiency over time. McDonalds Orders People Over 55 Still Swear By After Decades

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, EVP Desiree Ralls-Morrison sold 2,763 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $278.36, for a total transaction of $769,108.68. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 6,268 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,744,760.48. The trade was a 30.59% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 2,626 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Friday, April 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $307.00, for a total transaction of $806,182.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 8,400 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,578,800. The trade was a 23.82% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 6,055 shares of company stock worth $1,769,373. 0.26% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

McDonald's Stock Down 0.8%

Shares of MCD stock opened at $277.58 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $197.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.88, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.79 and a beta of 0.41. McDonald's Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $271.85 and a fifty-two week high of $341.75. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $291.34 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $307.36.

McDonald's (NYSE:MCD - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 7th. The fast-food giant reported $2.83 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.74 by $0.09. The firm had revenue of $6.52 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.47 billion. McDonald's had a net margin of 31.62% and a negative return on equity of 442.10%. McDonald's's revenue was up 9.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.67 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts forecast that McDonald's Corporation will post 12.93 EPS for the current fiscal year.

McDonald's Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 16th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, June 2nd will be given a dividend of $1.86 per share. This represents a $7.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, June 2nd. McDonald's's payout ratio is 61.34%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms recently issued reports on MCD. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of McDonald's from $355.00 to $320.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Friday, May 8th. Truist Financial boosted their target price on shares of McDonald's from $356.00 to $370.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, February 12th. Barclays lowered their target price on shares of McDonald's from $380.00 to $350.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Friday, May 8th. Cfra upgraded shares of McDonald's to a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, May 8th. Finally, Evercore set a $350.00 target price on shares of McDonald's in a report on Friday, May 8th. Sixteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $336.26.

McDonald's 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.

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MCD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for McDonald's Corporation (NYSE:MCD - Free Report).

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.