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McDonald's (MCD) Short Interest Ratio & Short Volume

McDonald's logo
$282.08 +4.30 (+1.55%)
Closing price 03:59 PM Eastern
Extended Trading
$282.59 +0.51 (+0.18%)
As of 07:59 PM Eastern
Extended trading is trading that happens on electronic markets outside of regular trading hours. This is a fair market value extended hours price provided by Massive. Learn more.
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McDonald's Short Interest Overview

As of May 29, 2026, McDonald's (MCD) had a short interest of 9.46 million shares sold short, representing 1.33% of the public float. This marks a -8.49% decrease in short interest since the prior report. The short interest ratio (days to cover) is 2.3, meaning it would take 2.3 days of the average trading volume of 3.95 million shares to cover all short positions.

Current Short Interest
9,457,585 shares
Previous Short Interest
10,334,552 shares
Change Vs. Previous Month
-8.49%
Dollar Volume Sold Short
$2.64 billion
Short Interest Ratio
2.3 Days to Cover
Last Record Date
May 29, 2026
Outstanding Shares
710,510,000 shares
Short Percent of Float
1.33%
Today's Trading Volume
5,419,878 shares
Average Trading Volume
3,954,968 shares
Today's Volume Vs. Average
137%
Short Selling McDonald's?
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Short Interest ChartDays to Cover ChartShort Percent of Float Chart

MCD Short Interest Over Time

MCD Days to Cover Over Time

MCD Percentage of Float Shorted Over Time

McDonald's Tesla Short Interest History & Recent Changes

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Report DateTotal Shares Sold ShortDollar Volume Sold ShortChange from Previous ReportPercentage of Float ShortedDays to CoverPrice on Report Date
5/29/20269,457,585 shares $2.64 billion -8.5%1.3%2.28 $279.42
5/15/202610,334,552 shares $2.86 billion +4.2%1.5%2.28 $276.42
4/30/20269,915,123 shares $2.91 billion +19.4%1.4%2.94 $293.95
4/15/20268,304,447 shares $2.55 billion -9.3%1.2%2.89 $306.57
3/31/20269,150,643 shares $2.84 billion -0.1%1.3%2.73 $310.76
3/13/20269,162,584 shares $2.99 billion -0.6%1.3%2.99 $326.41
2/27/20269,215,479 shares $3.14 billion +5.9%1.3%2.68 $340.85
2/13/20268,702,562 shares $2.85 billion +8.4%1.2%2.19 $327.58
1/30/20268,025,665 shares $2.53 billion +3.8%1.1%2.8 $314.86
1/15/20267,729,101 shares $2.38 billion -7.1%1.1%2.27 $308.52
12/31/20258,318,960 shares $2.54 billion +1.3%1.2%3.02 $305.65
12/15/20258,212,267 shares $2.62 billion +19.4%1.2%2.12 $318.96
11/28/20256,875,680 shares $2.14 billion -10.9%1.0%2.27 $311.75
11/14/20257,720,128 shares $2.37 billion +6.4%1.1%2.16 $306.74
10/31/20257,258,102 shares $2.17 billion -0.8%1.0%2.95 $298.44
10/15/20257,320,000 shares $2.23 billion +0.6%1.0%2.4 $305.04
9/30/20257,280,000 shares $2.21 billion -11.5%1.0%2.2 $303.99
9/15/20258,230,000 shares $2.49 billion +8.9%1.2%2.3 $302.08
8/31/20257,560,000 shares $2.37 billion -7.1%1.1%2.1 $313.68
8/15/20258,140,000 shares $2.51 billion +2.8%1.1%2.2 $308.76
7/31/20257,920,000 shares $2.38 billion -10.3%1.1%2.3 $300.30
7/15/20258,830,000 shares $2.65 billion +4.5%1.2%2.5 $299.58
6/30/20258,450,000 shares $2.47 billion +8.5%1.2%2.3 $292.48
6/15/20257,790,000 shares $2.35 billion -15.0%1.1%2.1 $301.57
5/31/20259,160,000 shares $2.87 billion -4.9%1.3%2.6 $313.68
5/15/20259,630,000 shares $3.02 billion -7.7%1.4%2.6 $314.04
4/30/202510,430,000 shares $3.34 billion -9.5%1.5%2.7 $319.79
4/15/202511,520,000 shares $3.60 billion +0.4%1.6%3 $312.34
3/31/202511,470,000 shares $3.59 billion +1.3%1.6%3.1 $312.74
3/15/202511,320,000 shares $3.40 billion +2.6%1.6%3.4 $300.00
2/28/202511,030,000 shares $3.40 billion +26.5%1.5%3.4 $308.17
2/15/20258,720,000 shares $2.69 billion +10.2%1.2%2.8 $308.59
1/31/20257,910,000 shares $2.28 billion -18.2%1.1%2.6 $288.83
1/15/20259,670,000 shares $2.73 billion +2.4%1.4%2.6 $282.54
12/31/20249,440,000 shares $2.74 billion +4.9%1.3%2.7 $289.89
12/15/20249,000,000 shares $2.67 billion -9.7%1.3%2.6 $296.60
11/30/20249,970,000 shares $2.95 billion +11.0%1.4%2.9 $296.01
11/15/20248,980,000 shares $2.63 billion +2.4%1.3%2.6 $292.52
10/31/20248,770,000 shares $2.56 billion -7.4%1.2%2.6 $292.17
10/15/20249,470,000 shares $2.97 billion -3.6%1.3%2.8 $313.32
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9/30/20249,820,000 shares $2.99 billion +7.3%1.4%3 $304.37
9/15/20249,150,000 shares $2.71 billion -8.8%1.3%2.5 $296.53
8/31/202410,030,000 shares $2.90 billion +1.8%1.4%2.7 $288.66
8/15/20249,850,000 shares $2.71 billion -4.9%1.4%2.5 $274.87
7/31/202410,360,000 shares $2.75 billion +5.5%1.4%2.6 $265.40
7/15/20249,820,000 shares $2.47 billion +12.0%1.4%2.7 $251.53
6/30/20248,770,000 shares $2.23 billion -4.4%1.2%2.4 $254.84
6/15/20249,170,000 shares $2.33 billion +13.5%1.3%2.6 $253.58
5/31/20248,080,000 shares $2.09 billion +2.5%1.1%2.3 $258.96
5/15/20247,880,000 shares $2.16 billion -2.7%1.1%2.4 $273.97
4/30/20248,100,000 shares $2.21 billion -4.6%1.1%2.4 $273.07
4/15/20248,490,000 shares $2.26 billion +5.1%1.2%2.6 $266.23
3/31/20248,080,000 shares $2.28 billion -7.2%1.1%2.5 $281.95
3/15/20248,710,000 shares $2.43 billion +14.8%1.2%2.8 $279.12
2/29/20247,590,000 shares $2.22 billion +1.3%1.1%2.5 $291.94
2/15/20247,490,000 shares $2.19 billion -6.1%1.0%2.4 $291.89
1/31/20247,980,000 shares $2.34 billion +9.2%1.1%2.6 $292.72
1/15/20247,310,000 shares $2.15 billion +5.5%1.0%2.4 $293.47
12/31/20236,930,000 shares $2.05 billion -3.4%1.0%2.2 $296.51
12/15/20237,170,000 shares $2.06 billion -7.4%1.0%2.3 $286.92
11/30/20237,740,000 shares $2.18 billion +9.6%1.1%2.5 $281.83
11/15/20237,060,000 shares $1.91 billion +4.8%1.0%2.4 $270.39
10/31/20236,740,000 shares $1.77 billion -4.7%0.9%2.3 $262.17
10/15/20237,070,000 shares $1.76 billion +7.1%1.0%2.6 $248.31
9/30/20236,600,000 shares $1.74 billion -5.0%0.9%2.6 $263.44
9/15/20236,950,000 shares $1.93 billion +10.9%1.0%3 $278.17
8/31/20236,270,000 shares $1.76 billion +7.9%0.9%2.6 $281.15
8/15/20235,810,000 shares $1.68 billion +4.3%0.8%2.4 $288.33
7/31/20235,570,000 shares $1.63 billion -12.2%0.8%2.3 $293.20
7/15/20236,340,000 shares $1.87 billion -2.8%0.9%2.6 $294.94
6/30/20236,520,000 shares $1.94 billion +2.5%0.9%2.6 $298.31
6/15/20236,360,000 shares $1.86 billion +17.8%0.9%2.5 $292.61
5/31/20235,400,000 shares $1.54 billion -23.0%0.7%2.1 $285.11
5/15/20237,010,000 shares $2.07 billion +6.4%1.0%2.7 $295.90
4/30/20236,590,000 shares $1.95 billion +0.8%0.9%2.5 $295.75
4/15/20236,540,000 shares $1.89 billion +16.2%0.9%2.4 $288.98
3/31/20235,630,000 shares $1.57 billion -10.5%0.8%2.1 $279.61
3/15/20236,290,000 shares $1.68 billion +8.3%0.9%2.4 $266.34
2/28/20235,810,000 shares $1.53 billion +13.7%0.8%2.2 $263.91
2/15/20235,110,000 shares $1.36 billion -3.4%0.7%1.9 $266.56
1/31/20235,290,000 shares $1.41 billion -13.0%0.7%1.8 $267.40
1/15/20236,080,000 shares $1.63 billion -5.0%0.8%2.1 $268.89
12/30/20226,400,000 shares $1.69 billion -2.4%0.9%2.2 $263.53
12/15/20226,560,000 shares $1.78 billion +8.8%0.9%2.1 $271.73
11/30/20226,030,000 shares $1.64 billion -7.7%0.8%1.9 $272.79
11/15/20226,530,000 shares $1.75 billion +7.4%0.9%2.1 $267.84
10/31/20226,080,000 shares $1.66 billion -7.6%0.8%2.2 $272.66
10/15/20226,580,000 shares $1.60 billion -2.5%0.9%2.4 $243.16
9/30/20226,750,000 shares $1.56 billion +2.6%0.9%2.6 $230.74
9/15/20226,580,000 shares $1.67 billion +16.5%0.9%2.8 $253.47
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8/31/20225,650,000 shares $1.43 billion +2.2%0.8%2.3 $252.28
8/15/20225,530,000 shares $1.47 billion -8.9%0.8%2.2 $265.44
7/31/20226,070,000 shares $1.60 billion -0.5%0.8%2.2 $263.37
7/15/20226,100,000 shares $1.56 billion -1.8%0.8%2.2 $255.01
6/30/20226,210,000 shares $1.53 billion -10.1%0.8%2.2 $246.88
6/15/20226,910,000 shares $1.65 billion +7.6%N/A2.4 $238.90
5/31/20226,420,000 shares $1.62 billion +4.9%0.9%2.1 $252.21
5/15/20226,120,000 shares $1.50 billion +4.8%0.8%1.8 $245.04
4/30/20225,840,000 shares $1.46 billion -1.9%0.8%1.8 $249.16
4/15/20225,950,000 shares $1.49 billion +10.8%0.8%1.8 $250.51
3/31/20225,370,000 shares $1.33 billion -11.0%0.7%1.6 $247.28
3/15/20226,030,000 shares $1.40 billion +12.5%0.8%1.8 $232.57
2/28/20225,360,000 shares $1.31 billion +2.3%0.7%1.7 $244.77
2/15/20225,240,000 shares $1.33 billion -14.5%N/A1.8 $253.81
1/31/20226,130,000 shares $1.59 billion +11.7%N/A2.3 $259.45
1/15/20225,490,000 shares $1.41 billion -13.0%N/A2 $257.71
12/31/20216,310,000 shares $1.69 billion -4.4%N/A2.4 $268.07
12/15/20216,600,000 shares $1.75 billion +10.6%N/A2.5 $264.52
11/30/20215,970,000 shares $1.46 billion +3.3%N/A2.2 $244.60
11/15/20215,780,000 shares $1.46 billion +1.4%N/A2.2 $252.94
10/29/20215,700,000 shares $1.40 billion -1.7%N/A2.2 $245.55
10/15/20215,800,000 shares $1.41 billion -14.5%N/A2.4 $242.25
9/30/20216,780,000 shares $1.63 billion -1.6%N/A2.8 $241.11
9/15/20216,890,000 shares $1.66 billion +8.5%N/A2.9 $240.98
8/31/20216,350,000 shares $1.51 billion +2.1%N/A2.7 $237.46
8/13/20216,220,000 shares $1.49 billion -0.8%N/A2.6 $238.82
7/30/20216,270,000 shares $1.52 billion +17.0%N/A2.5 $242.71
7/15/20215,360,000 shares $1.27 billion -2.2%0.7%2.2 $236.88
6/30/20215,480,000 shares $1.27 billion -20.9%0.7%2.3 $230.99
6/15/20216,930,000 shares $1.64 billion +21.2%0.9%2.8 $236.35

MCD Short Interest - Frequently Asked Questions

Short interest is the volume of McDonald's shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. As of May 29th, traders have sold 9,457,585 shares of MCD short. 1.33% of McDonald's' shares are currently sold short. Learn More on McDonald's' current short interest.

The short interest ratio, also known as the "days to cover ratio", is calculated by dividing the number of shares of a stock sold short divided by its average trading volume. A short interest ratio ranging between 1 and 4 generally indicates strong positive sentiment about a stock and a lack of short sellers. A short interest ratio of 10 or greater indicates strong pessimism about a stock. MCD shares currently have a short interest ratio of 2.3. Learn More on McDonald's's short interest ratio.

As of the most recent reporting period, the following institutional investors, funds, and major shareholders have reported short positions of McDonald's: Hsbc Holdings PLC. These positions are disclosed in Form 13F filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Companies that have a short interest as a percentage of float below 10% indicates positive investor sentiment and few short sellers. Stocks with a short interest percentage above 10% is considered high, suggesting some investors are pessimistic about the stock. Companies with a short interest percentage of 20% or more indicates widespread negative sentiment. 1.33% of McDonald's' floating shares are currently sold short.

McDonald's saw a drop in short interest in May. As of May 29th, there was short interest totaling 9,457,585 shares, a drop of 8.5% from the previous total of 10,334,552 shares. Changes in short volume can be used to identify positive and negative investor sentiment. Investors that short sell a stock are betting that its price will decline in the future. An increase in short sale volume suggests bearish (negative) sentiment among investors. A decrease on short sale volume suggests bullish (positive) sentiment.

1.33% of McDonald's' shares are currently sold short. Here is how the short interest of companies compare to McDonald's: Domino's Pizza Inc (10.72%), PepsiCo, Inc. (1.84%), Papa John's International, Inc. (16.98%), Starbucks Corporation (4.23%), Tesla, Inc. (2.56%), The Wendy's Company (31.83%), Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (3.50%), Restaurant Brands International Inc. (5.08%), Yum! Brands, Inc. (2.62%), Yum China (1.18%),

As of the most recent reporting period, the following stocks had the largest short interest positions: SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust ($81.27 billion), Invesco QQQ ($49.06 billion), iShares Russell 2000 ETF ($23.61 billion), Western Digital Corporation ($16.93 billion), Sandisk Corporation ($15.61 billion), Salesforce Inc. ($11.65 billion), SPDR S&P Biotech ETF ($10.52 billion), Nebius Group N.V. ($10.24 billion), Lumentum Holdings Inc. ($8.74 billion), and iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF ($8.21 billion). View all of the most shorted stocks.

Short selling MCD is an investing strategy that aims to generate trading profit from McDonald's as its price is falling. MCD shares are trading up $4.30 today. To short a stock, an investor borrows shares, sells them and buys the shares back on the public market later to return it to the lender. Short sellers are betting that a stock will decline in price. If the stock does drop after selling, the short seller buys it back at a lower price and returns it to the lender. The difference between the sell price and the buy price is the trader's profit.

A short squeeze for McDonald's occurs when it has a large amount of short interest and its stock increases in price. This forces short sellers to cover their short interest positions by buying actual shares of MCD, which in turn drives the price of the stock up even further.

Short interest is typically published by a stock exchange once per month. However, NASDAQ publishes a report for U.S. stocks, including MCD, twice per month. The most recent reporting period available is May, 29 2026.

Understanding short interest metrics can help you assess how traders are positioning around a stock like MCD:

  • Shares Sold Short: The total number of shares that have been sold by short sellers but have not yet been covered or closed out. A high number may indicate bearish sentiment.
  • Short Float: The percentage of a company’s publicly available shares (or "float") that are sold short. A higher short float suggests a greater portion of the stock is being bet against.
  • Days to Cover (Short Interest Ratio): This estimates how many days it would take short sellers to cover their positions, based on average daily trading volume. Higher values can signal potential for a short squeeze if buying pressure increases.

These metrics are often used by traders to gauge sentiment, volatility risk, and the potential for price movements based on short covering activity.


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This page (NYSE:MCD) was last updated on 6/9/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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