McDonald’s (MCD) Expected to Announce Earnings on Thursday

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) is expected to be releasing its Q1 2026 results before the market opens on Thursday, May 7th. Analysts expect McDonald’s to post earnings of $2.75 per share and revenue of $6.4712 billion for the quarter. Investors can check the company’s upcoming Q1 2026 earning summary page for the latest details on the call scheduled for Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 8:30 AM ET.

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 11th. The fast-food giant reported $3.12 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.05 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $7.01 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.81 billion. McDonald’s had a net margin of 31.85% and a negative return on equity of 343.90%. The firm’s revenue was up 9.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.83 EPS. On average, analysts expect McDonald’s to post $13 EPS for the current fiscal year and $14 EPS for the next fiscal year.

McDonald’s Stock Performance

MCD stock opened at $284.36 on Tuesday. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $314.29 and a 200-day moving average price of $311.86. The company has a market capitalization of $202.13 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.80, a PEG ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.43. McDonald’s has a 52-week low of $283.47 and a 52-week high of $341.75.

McDonald’s Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 3rd were paid a dividend of $1.86 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, March 3rd. This represents a $7.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.6%. McDonald’s’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 62.26%.

More McDonald’s News

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

• Positive Sentiment: McDonald’s is rolling out six new specialty beverages (crafted sodas and “Refreshers”) across U.S. restaurants this week as part of a broader beverage and restaurant refresh that could boost traffic and ticket if adoption is strong. McDonald’s is shaking up your soda run
• Positive Sentiment: UBS says the chain’s menu and marketing overhaul could support a rebound in performance, a catalyst for analysts and investors to re-rate the stock if comp trends improve. McDonald’s likely to bounce as fast-food chain overhauls menus, marketing, UBS says
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts and outlets are re-examining McDonald’s valuation and long-term returns amid the product push; these takes provide context but don’t immediately change fundamentals. A Look At McDonald’s (MCD) Valuation As New Specialty Drinks And Restaurant Changes Gain Attention
• Neutral Sentiment: Ongoing promotions, partnerships and limited-time items (Happy Meal tie-ins, fashion collabs, Stranger Things promotions) keep brand engagement high but are incremental to core sales. When will Netflix’s Stranger Things x McDonald’s Happy Meal will be available?
• Negative Sentiment: McDonald’s is phasing out self‑serve soda fountains nationwide (full rollout through 2032) — a change that could reduce perceived value (free/multiple refills), prompt customer pushback, and complicate operations during transition. This narrative is pressuring sentiment today. Are Texas McDonald’s getting rid of self-service soda machines? What to know
• Negative Sentiment: UBS also warns Q1 U.S. comparable-store sales may miss consensus, and separate coverage flags operational risks from new hand‑breaded chicken offerings — both items heighten near-term earnings uncertainty. McDonald’s Could Miss First-Quarter US Comparable Sales Consensus Views, UBS Says

Insider Transactions at McDonald’s

In other McDonald’s news, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 2,626 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $325.25, for a total transaction of $854,106.50. Following the transaction, the insider owned 5,398 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,755,699.50. This represents a 32.73% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Jonathan Banner sold 6,201 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $333.29, for a total transaction of $2,066,731.29. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 2,291 shares in the company, valued at approximately $763,567.39. The trade was a 73.02% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold 71,990 shares of company stock valued at $23,824,113 over the last ninety days. Company insiders own 0.26% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of MCD. Viking Global Investors LP raised its holdings in McDonald’s by 171.7% during the second quarter. Viking Global Investors LP now owns 3,125,432 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $913,157,000 after buying an additional 1,974,998 shares during the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP raised its holdings in McDonald’s by 927.5% during the third quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 827,547 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $251,483,000 after buying an additional 927,547 shares during the last quarter. Alyeska Investment Group L.P. raised its holdings in McDonald’s by 766.5% during the third quarter. Alyeska Investment Group L.P. now owns 885,629 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $269,134,000 after buying an additional 783,416 shares during the last quarter. Amundi raised its holdings in McDonald’s by 7.1% during the third quarter. Amundi now owns 4,318,771 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $1,278,529,000 after buying an additional 286,095 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cartenna Capital LP acquired a new position in McDonald’s during the fourth quarter worth $87,105,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.29% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on MCD shares. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on shares of McDonald’s from $335.00 to $334.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 21st. Sanford C. Bernstein reaffirmed a “market perform” rating and set a $340.00 price target on shares of McDonald’s in a research note on Thursday, February 12th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price target on shares of McDonald’s from $320.00 to $330.00 and gave the company a “sector perform” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 12th. KeyCorp dropped their price target on shares of McDonald’s from $354.00 to $345.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, April 20th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of McDonald’s from $345.00 to $355.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 12th. Sixteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $340.93.

McDonald’s Company 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.