Core Alternative Capital Trims Position in McDonald’s Corporation $MCD

Core Alternative Capital decreased its holdings in shares of McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) by 14.0% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 17,112 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock after selling 2,779 shares during the quarter. McDonald’s comprises about 1.5% of Core Alternative Capital’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 23rd biggest position. Core Alternative Capital’s holdings in McDonald’s were worth $5,200,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of McDonald’s during the 2nd quarter valued at about $2,780,712,000. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in 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 valued at $1,676,339,000 after purchasing an additional 5,718,087 shares during the period. Soundwatch Capital LLC purchased a new stake in McDonald’s in the second quarter valued at approximately $1,412,069,000. Viking Global Investors LP increased its position 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 purchasing an additional 1,974,998 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Amundi raised its stake in McDonald’s by 96.0% during the second 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 currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Transactions at McDonald’s

In related news, EVP Desiree Ralls-Morrison sold 2,486 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $320.00, for a total value of $795,520.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 6,268 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,005,760. This trade represents a 28.40% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 3,195 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, November 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $305.82, for a total transaction of $977,094.90. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 6,088 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,861,832.16. This trade represents a 34.42% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 45,142 shares of company stock valued at $13,841,169. Company insiders own 0.25% of the company’s stock.

McDonald’s Trading Up 0.3%

MCD opened at $313.91 on Wednesday. McDonald’s Corporation has a twelve month low of $283.47 and a twelve month high of $326.32. The firm has a market cap of $223.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.78, a PEG ratio of 3.11 and a beta of 0.53. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $309.21 and a 200 day simple moving average of $306.22.

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The fast-food giant reported $3.22 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates 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 business had revenue of $7.08 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $7.10 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $3.23 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts forecast that McDonald’s Corporation will post 12.25 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have recently issued reports on MCD shares. Royal Bank Of Canada started coverage on shares of McDonald’s in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. They set a “sector perform” rating and a $320.00 price objective for the company. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on McDonald’s from $340.00 to $345.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of McDonald’s in a report on Friday, October 31st. Morgan Stanley set a $335.00 target price on shares of McDonald’s in a research report on Friday, October 17th. Finally, Truist Financial raised their price target on shares of McDonald’s from $350.00 to $356.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Thirteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fifteen have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $328.88.

Key Stories Impacting McDonald’s

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

• Positive Sentiment: McDonald’s revived its 1980s “Changeables” Happy Meal toys — a nostalgia play (16 transforming robots/dinosaurs) expected to drive family foot traffic and incremental Happy Meal sales. McDonald’s brings back popular Happy Meal toy from 1980s
• Positive Sentiment: Company is doubling down on value — $5 meals and a revived Snack Wrap — initiatives that management/coverage say are intended to boost transactions and fuel a franchise rebound. These are direct drivers of same‑store sales and margin mix for franchised restaurants. McDonald’s doubles down on value
• Positive Sentiment: Limited‑edition promotional tie‑ins (FRIENDS Meal, collectibles) and bringing overseas fan favorites to the U.S. signal ongoing product innovation to sustain customer interest and drive visit frequency. McDonald’s launches limited-edition FRIENDS Meal
• Neutral Sentiment: Jefferies expects McDonald’s fourth‑quarter results roughly in line with consensus (U.S. same‑store sales ~4.5%, EPS ~ $3), noting continued U.S. share gains but limited near‑term surprises — supportive but not a catalyst. McDonald’s seen delivering inline fourth quarter results
• Neutral Sentiment: Coverage pieces (menu reviews, superfan features) and menu tweaks are keeping the brand top‑of‑mind but are unlikely individually to move fundamentals; they support ongoing marketing momentum. Hot honey menu review
• Negative Sentiment: Pepsi/competitor dynamics: Domino’s is rolling out bigger deals following McDonald’s playbook, highlighting intensifying promotional competition that could pressure margins or force continued discounting. Domino’s follows McDonald’s menu plan

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.