Weekly Research Analysts’ Ratings Updates for McDonald’s (MCD)

Several analysts have recently updated their ratings and price targets for McDonald’s (NYSE: MCD):

• 7/24/2026 – McDonald’s had its price target lowered by BTIG Research from $370.00 to $350.00. They now have a “buy” rating on the stock.
• 7/23/2026 – McDonald’s was given a new $320.00 price target by Evercore Inc.
• 7/17/2026 – McDonald’s had its price target raised by Tigress Financial from $385.00 to $390.00. They now have a “buy” rating on the stock.
• 7/16/2026 – McDonald’s had its price target lowered by Wells Fargo & Company from $320.00 to $300.00. They now have an “overweight” rating on the stock.
• 7/15/2026 – McDonald’s had its “overweight” rating reaffirmed by KeyCorp.
• 7/15/2026 – McDonald’s had its price target lowered by Morgan Stanley from $331.00 to $322.00. They now have an “equal weight” rating on the stock.
• 7/15/2026 – McDonald’s had its price target lowered by Citigroup Inc. from $375.00 to $335.00. They now have a “buy” rating on the stock.
• 7/9/2026 – McDonald’s was given a new $325.00 price target by Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft.
• 6/29/2026 – McDonald’s had its price target lowered by KeyCorp from $330.00 to $315.00. They now have an “overweight” rating on the stock.
• 6/23/2026 – McDonald’s was downgraded by Weiss Ratings from “hold (c+)” to “hold (c)”.
• 6/23/2026 – McDonald’s had its “sector perform” rating reaffirmed by Royal Bank Of Canada.
• 6/22/2026 – McDonald’s had its “market perform” rating reaffirmed by Sanford C. Bernstein.
• 6/12/2026 – McDonald’s had its “hold” rating reaffirmed by TD Cowen.
• 5/29/2026 – McDonald’s was downgraded by Weiss Ratings from “buy (b-)” to “hold (c+)”.

McDonald’s Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 16th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 1st will be paid a $1.86 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 1st. This represents a $7.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.8%. McDonald’s’s payout ratio is currently 61.34%.

Insider Transactions at McDonald’s

In other news, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 5,252 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $284.32, for a total transaction of $1,493,248.64. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 7,734 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,198,930.88. This represents a 40.44% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Desiree Ralls-Morrison sold 2,763 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred 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 sale, the executive vice president directly 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 SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 8,348 shares of company stock valued at $2,355,634. Insiders own 0.26% of the company’s stock.

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.