West Branch Capital LLC Reduces Stake in McDonald’s Corporation $MCD

West Branch Capital LLC lowered its position in McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) by 57.6% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 3,927 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock after selling 5,334 shares during the period. West Branch Capital LLC’s holdings in McDonald’s were worth $1,061,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Hamilton Point Investment Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of McDonald’s by 1.8% in the fourth quarter. Hamilton Point Investment Advisors LLC now owns 1,750 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $535,000 after buying an additional 31 shares during the last quarter. Encompass More Asset Management raised its position in McDonald’s by 1.5% in the fourth quarter. Encompass More Asset Management now owns 2,120 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $648,000 after acquiring an additional 32 shares during the period. Richmond Investment Services LLC boosted its stake in shares of McDonald’s by 1.4% during the 4th quarter. Richmond Investment Services LLC now owns 2,278 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $696,000 after acquiring an additional 32 shares during the last quarter. Papamarkou Wellner Asset Management inc. grew its position in shares of McDonald’s by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. Papamarkou Wellner Asset Management inc. now owns 8,809 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $2,692,000 after acquiring an additional 32 shares during the period. Finally, Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. grew its position in shares of McDonald’s by 1.6% during the 4th quarter. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 2,102 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $642,000 after acquiring an additional 33 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.29% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

MCD has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Barclays decreased their target price on McDonald’s from $380.00 to $350.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, May 8th. TD Cowen restated a “hold” rating on shares of McDonald’s in a research report on Tuesday, August 4th. Weiss Ratings downgraded McDonald’s from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 23rd. Tigress Financial lifted their price objective on McDonald’s from $385.00 to $390.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, July 17th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price objective on McDonald’s from $335.00 to $345.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 5th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Buy rating and twelve have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $325.44.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other McDonald’s news, EVP Desiree Ralls-Morrison sold 2,763 shares of the 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 completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 6,268 shares in the company, valued at $1,744,760.48. This trade represents a 30.59% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 5,252 shares of McDonald’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $284.32, for a total transaction of $1,493,248.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 7,734 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,198,930.88. The trade was a 40.44% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last three months, insiders sold 8,348 shares of company stock valued at $2,355,634. 0.26% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

McDonald’s Trading Up 0.0%

Shares of MCD stock opened at $273.83 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $194.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.24, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.06 and a beta of 0.41. McDonald’s Corporation has a 12-month low of $260.96 and a 12-month high of $341.75. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $273.92 and its 200-day moving average price is $295.91.

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The fast-food giant reported $3.38 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.32 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $7.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.13 billion. McDonald’s had a negative return on equity of 512.80% and a net margin of 31.72%.The firm’s revenue was up 3.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $3.19 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts predict that McDonald’s Corporation will post 12.88 EPS for the current fiscal year.

McDonald’s Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 16th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 1st will be given a dividend of $1.86 per share. This represents a $7.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.7%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 1st. McDonald’s’s dividend payout ratio is currently 60.44%.

McDonald’s News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: McDonald’s will begin selling a Red Bull Dragonberry Energizer on Aug. 17, along with a new “dirty soda,” marking its first entry into energy drinks. The move could attract younger customers, increase beverage sales and diversify the menu. McDonald’s is getting into the energy game with Red Bull
• Positive Sentiment: A Hello Kitty and Godzilla/Kaiju Happy Meal promotion is scheduled to launch Aug. 18. The collectible toys may support near-term traffic and family visits, although the financial impact is likely limited. McDonald’s Hello Kitty and Godzilla crossover arrives August 18
• Positive Sentiment: McDonald’s USA promoted longtime employee Patrick Gerber to chief restaurant officer. His mandate to improve restaurant operations and standards could help address execution issues in the U.S. McDonald’s USA appoints chief restaurant officer
• Neutral Sentiment: The company still expects substantial unit growth, including about 2,600 openings in 2026, but has pushed its 50,000-store target to 2028. Management describes the delay as disciplined expansion amid softer U.S. demand. McDonald’s pushes 50,000-store goal to 2028
• Negative Sentiment: Recent analysis highlights slowing U.S. comparable sales, competitive pressure from a strengthening Burger King, and management’s acknowledgment of execution missteps. Concerns that value promotions are no longer sufficient could weigh on traffic and margins. McDonald’s faces fresh U.S. growth questions
• Negative Sentiment: Erste Group Bank lowered its 2027 EPS forecast to $14.00 from $14.15 and maintained a Hold rating, reinforcing concerns about the company’s growth outlook and valuation. McDonald’s analyst estimate update
• Negative Sentiment: Krispy Kreme’s turnaround coverage notes that its nationwide McDonald’s partnership has ended, removing a distribution relationship that had offered McDonald’s an additional dessert and snack channel. Krispy Kreme’s turnaround sees many wins

About McDonald’s

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.