McDonald's Corporation $MCD Stock Purchased by Viking Fund Management LLC

Key Points

• Viking Fund Management increased its McDonald’s stake by 60% in the third quarter, purchasing 15,000 additional shares for a total of 40,000 shares valued at approximately $9.24 million. Institutional investors collectively own 70.29% of the company.
• McDonald’s reported quarterly earnings of $3.38 per share, exceeding analyst expectations, while revenue rose 3.7% year over year to $7.10 billion. The company also raised its quarterly dividend from $1.86 to $1.93, representing a 3.2% annualized yield.
• Analysts maintain a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating with an average price target of $295.94, although several firms recently reduced their targets amid concerns about weak sales and execution. Shares opened at $238.16, well below their 12-month high of $341.75.

Viking Fund Management LLC raised its holdings in McDonald's Corporation (NYSE:MCD - Free Report) by 60.0% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 40,000 shares of the fast-food giant's stock after acquiring an additional 15,000 shares during the period. Viking Fund Management LLC's holdings in McDonald's were worth $9,238,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Abound Financial LLC purchased a new stake in shares of McDonald's in the fourth quarter valued at $30,000. Purpose Unlimited Inc. acquired a new position in McDonald's in the fourth quarter valued at $31,000. GKV Capital Management Co. Inc. acquired a new position in McDonald's in the first quarter valued at $33,000. Merkkuri Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in McDonald's during the first quarter worth about $43,000. Finally, Financial Life Planners purchased a new position in McDonald's during the first quarter worth about $51,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.29% of the company's stock.

McDonald's Trading Up 1.0%

Shares of MCD opened at $238.16 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $168.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.35, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.64 and a beta of 0.44. The stock's fifty day simple moving average is $253.35 and its 200 day simple moving average is $272.74. McDonald's Corporation has a twelve month low of $229.20 and a twelve month high of $341.75.

McDonald's (NYSE:MCD - Get Free Report) last issued its 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. 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 for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $7.13 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $3.19 earnings per share. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 3.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts predict that McDonald's Corporation will post 12.84 earnings per share for the current year.

McDonald's Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 1st will be issued a $1.93 dividend. This is a positive change from McDonald's's previous quarterly dividend of $1.86. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 1st. This represents a $7.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.2%. McDonald's's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 60.44%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have issued reports on MCD. Loop Capital decreased their price target on McDonald's from $301.00 to $273.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, August 5th. Bank of America upped their price objective on shares of McDonald's from $339.00 to $343.00 in a research note on Wednesday, August 5th. Seaport Research Partners started coverage on shares of McDonald's in a research note on Wednesday, September 16th. They set a "neutral" rating for the company. BMO Capital Markets cut their price objective on shares of McDonald's from $335.00 to $310.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, September 24th. Finally, Guggenheim cut their price objective on shares of McDonald's from $290.00 to $250.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 5th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have assigned a Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $295.94.

Trending Headlines about McDonald's

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

• Positive Sentiment: McDonald’s is pursuing a marketing reset centered on personalized digital offers, value meals and more streamlined campaigns. The strategy could improve customer engagement and support sales, although recent promotions have underperformed expectations. Can MCD’s Marketing Reset Help Improve Customer Engagement and Sales?
• Positive Sentiment: The company’s planned roughly $8.5 billion franchisee-support and restaurant-modernization program through 2036, along with potential chicken initiatives and artificial-intelligence tools such as “Archy” for drive-thru operations, could strengthen long-term efficiency and growth. McDonald’s $8.5-billion overhaul brings an AI called Archy to the drive-thru
• Neutral Sentiment: McDonald’s renewed its grassroots youth-football sponsorship for four more years and is reportedly bringing back its Monopoly Go promotion and Halloween Boo Buckets. These initiatives may support brand engagement but are unlikely to materially change near-term earnings. McDonald’s commits to four more years of free grassroots football
• Negative Sentiment: Analysts have trimmed McDonald’s fiscal 2026 and 2027 EPS forecasts, while commentary points to weak U.S. sales, execution problems with value offerings and lower earnings estimates. These revisions reinforce concerns that the turnaround may take time. McDonald’s Stock Down 23% in 6 Months
• Negative Sentiment: A reported class-action lawsuit alleges problems involving AI-driven menu pricing, creating potential legal, reputational and customer-trust risks. McDonald’s faces class action lawsuit over AI-menu pricing allegations

McDonald's Profile

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.

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