McDonald's Corporation $MCD Stock: Valley National Advisers Inc. Grows Position

Key Points

• Valley National Advisers increased its McDonald’s position by 140.9% in the third quarter, bringing its holdings to 14,804 shares valued at approximately $3.42 million. Institutional investors collectively own 70.29% of MCD.
• McDonald’s raised its quarterly dividend to $1.93 per share, or $7.72 annually, producing a 3.1% yield; the company’s latest earnings also exceeded analyst EPS expectations despite slightly lower-than-expected revenue.
• Shares opened at $248.49, while analysts maintained a “Moderate Buy” consensus with an average price target of $295.64. However, weaker U.S. traffic, competitive pricing pressure and recent analyst target cuts remain concerns.

Valley National Advisers Inc. raised its position in shares of McDonald's Corporation (NYSE:MCD - Free Report) by 140.9% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 14,804 shares of the fast-food giant's stock after purchasing an additional 8,659 shares during the period. Valley National Advisers Inc.'s holdings in McDonald's were worth $3,419,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of MCD. GKV Capital Management Co. Inc. bought a new stake in shares of McDonald's in the first quarter valued at about $33,000. Merkkuri Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in McDonald's during the 1st quarter worth about $43,000. Burkett Financial Services LLC grew its holdings in McDonald's by 2,312.5% during the 3rd quarter. Burkett Financial Services LLC now owns 193 shares of the fast-food giant's stock worth $45,000 after acquiring an additional 185 shares in the last quarter. POM Investment Strategies LLC increased its position in McDonald's by 46.2% during the 2nd quarter. POM Investment Strategies LLC now owns 174 shares of the fast-food giant's stock valued at $47,000 after purchasing an additional 55 shares during the period. Finally, Westfuller Advisors LLC increased its position in McDonald's by 140.0% during the 2nd quarter. Westfuller Advisors LLC now owns 180 shares of the fast-food giant's stock valued at $49,000 after purchasing an additional 105 shares during the period. 70.29% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Key Stories Impacting McDonald's

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

• Positive Sentiment: McDonald’s is bringing back popular limited-time offerings, including the McRib and a cult-favorite BBQ sandwich. The promotions could help improve traffic and comparable sales, although their impact is likely temporary. McDonald's Is Bringing Back a Hugely Popular Menu Item Next Week
• Positive Sentiment: The stock’s sell-off has lifted its dividend yield to roughly 3%–3.2%, while McDonald’s has continued raising its payout and has earned “Dividend King” status. The higher yield may attract income-focused investors and provide valuation support. McDonald's Is Crowned a Dividend King
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts expect a single-digit increase in third-quarter earnings, and management is relying on chicken launches and limited-time menu items to counter weaker U.S. traffic. McDonald's Q3 2026 Earnings: What to Expect
• Neutral Sentiment: McDonald’s is challenging tokenized trading of its shares on the OKX-ICE venue, citing investor-protection and regulatory-oversight concerns. The dispute is unlikely to materially affect restaurant operations or near-term earnings. Why Is McDonald's Challenging Tokenized Trading of Its Shares?
• Negative Sentiment: Competitive pricing is a concern as Taco Bell promotes a $2 item while McDonald’s works to balance affordability with margins. Slower traffic and economic pressure could weigh on comparable-store sales. Taco Bell Rolls Out $2 Item as McDonald’s Wrestles With Pricing
• Negative Sentiment: A federal lawsuit accuses McDonald’s of AI-fueled price fixing; the company says the allegations contain inaccuracies. Even if ultimately dismissed, the litigation creates reputational and regulatory overhang. McDonald's Accused of AI-Fueled Price Fixing
• Negative Sentiment: Erste Group trimmed its FY2027 EPS forecast slightly to $13.78 from $13.80. Although the reduction is minor, it reinforces concerns that growth may remain subdued. McDonald's Analyst Estimates

McDonald's Price Performance

Shares of MCD stock opened at $248.49 on Friday. The stock's 50-day moving average is $249.43 and its 200 day moving average is $269.96. McDonald's Corporation has a 1-year low of $229.20 and a 1-year high of $341.75. The company has a market cap of $175.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.19, a PEG ratio of 2.79 and a beta of 0.44.

McDonald's (NYSE:MCD - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The fast-food giant reported $3.38 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $3.32 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $7.10 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.13 billion. McDonald's had a net margin of 31.72% and a negative return on equity of 572.06%. The firm's revenue was up 3.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $3.19 earnings per share. On average, analysts anticipate that McDonald's Corporation will post 12.84 EPS 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 given a $1.93 dividend. This represents a $7.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 1st. This is an increase from McDonald's's previous quarterly dividend of $1.86. McDonald's's payout ratio is presently 60.44%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently commented on MCD. Guggenheim reduced their price target on shares of McDonald's from $290.00 to $250.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 5th. Weiss Ratings cut shares of McDonald's from a "hold (c)" rating to a "hold (c-)" rating in a research report on Friday, October 2nd. DZ Bank reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of McDonald's in a research note on Thursday, September 24th. Sanford C. Bernstein cut their price objective on shares of McDonald's from $295.00 to $250.00 and set a "market perform" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 8th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price objective on shares of McDonald's from $290.00 to $285.00 and set a "sector perform" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, September 24th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have given a Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, McDonald's currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $295.64.

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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