Ascent Group LLC Boosts Stake in McDonald’s Corporation $MCD

Ascent Group LLC grew its position in shares of McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) by 29.3% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 21,250 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock after acquiring an additional 4,811 shares during the quarter. Ascent Group LLC’s holdings in McDonald’s were worth $6,457,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of MCD. Norges Bank purchased a new position in McDonald’s in the second quarter valued at approximately $2,780,712,000. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of McDonald’s by 29,382.3% in the second quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 5,737,548 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $1,676,339,000 after acquiring an additional 5,718,087 shares in the last quarter. Soundwatch Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of McDonald’s in the 2nd quarter valued at $1,412,069,000. Viking Global Investors LP lifted its holdings in shares of McDonald’s by 171.7% during the 2nd quarter. Viking Global Investors LP now owns 3,125,432 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $913,157,000 after acquiring an additional 1,974,998 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Amundi boosted its position in McDonald’s by 96.0% during the 2nd quarter. Amundi now owns 4,032,676 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $1,188,147,000 after purchasing an additional 1,974,751 shares during the period. 70.29% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Trending Headlines about McDonald’s

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

• Positive Sentiment: McDonald’s is reviving its Monopoly sweepstakes after almost a decade — a large national promotion that can drive foot traffic, boost same-store sales temporarily, and increase customer engagement this quarter. McDonald’s brings back Monopoly sweepstakes
• Positive Sentiment: Leaked details of a Pokémon TCG collaboration (30th anniversary tie‑in) point to further limited-time merchandising that can lift transactions among younger demographics and collectors. These kinds of collectibles often increase average ticket and repeat visits. McDonald’s Next Pokémon TCG Collab Leaked
• Positive Sentiment: McDonald’s has brought back a larger “Big Mac on steroids” limited-time burger — another promotional move to stimulate comps and media buzz during a season when promos can shift short-term sales. McDonald’s brings back ‘Big Mac on steroids’
• Neutral Sentiment: McDonald’s is changing how it handles cash payments due to a penny shortage — operationally relevant (speed/complexity at point-of-sale) but unlikely to materially affect revenue; could improve checkout efficiency but risks confusing cash customers. McDonald’s is changing cash payments
• Neutral Sentiment: Marketing teases in the U.K. and holiday hours pieces (New Year’s Eve/Day openness) are short-term PR items that support brand visibility but are unlikely to move fundamentals. Cryptic UK menu tease
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyses outlining “4 big changes” for 2026 and commentary about McDonald’s re-establishing value signal strategic shifts (pricing, promotions, menu changes). These affect margins and traffic in opposing ways and warrant watching but are not immediate earnings shocks. 4 big changes coming to McDonald’s in 2026

McDonald’s Price Performance

Shares of MCD stock opened at $307.95 on Wednesday. McDonald’s Corporation has a 12-month low of $276.53 and a 12-month high of $326.32. The firm has a market capitalization of $219.31 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.28, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.43 and a beta of 0.52. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $308.04 and a 200 day simple moving average of $304.19.

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The fast-food giant reported $3.22 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.33 by ($0.11). McDonald’s had a net margin of 32.04% and a negative return on equity of 280.89%. The company had revenue of $7.08 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.10 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $3.23 earnings per share. The company’s revenue was up 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts anticipate that McDonald’s Corporation will post 12.25 EPS for the current fiscal year.

McDonald’s Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Investors of record on Monday, December 1st were issued a $1.86 dividend. This represents a $7.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.4%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 1st. This is a positive change from McDonald’s’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.77. McDonald’s’s payout ratio is presently 63.48%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other McDonald’s news, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 3,195 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $305.82, for a total transaction of $977,094.90. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 6,088 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,861,832.16. This represents a 34.42% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Ian Frederick Borden sold 17,134 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $310.00, for a total transaction of $5,311,540.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer owned 26,353 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $8,169,430. This trade represents a 39.40% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold a total of 42,516 shares of company stock worth $13,036,090 in the last quarter. 0.25% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on MCD shares. Royal Bank Of Canada began coverage on shares of McDonald’s in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. They set a “sector perform” rating and a $320.00 price target for the company. BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed an “outperform” rating on shares of McDonald’s in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Mizuho upgraded McDonald’s to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. Robert W. Baird increased their price objective on shares of McDonald’s from $322.00 to $325.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Finally, Piper Sandler reiterated a “neutral” rating and issued a $325.00 price target on shares of McDonald’s in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. Eleven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $324.57.

McDonald’s 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.