J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. Grows Stock Position in McDonald’s Corporation $MCD

J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) by 4.9% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 40,072 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock after purchasing an additional 1,888 shares during the period. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc.’s holdings in McDonald’s were worth $12,178,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in McDonald’s in the 2nd quarter valued at about $2,780,712,000. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of McDonald’s by 29,382.3% during 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 acquired a new position in shares of McDonald’s in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,412,069,000. Viking Global Investors LP lifted its position in shares of McDonald’s by 171.7% in 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 grew its stake in McDonald’s by 96.0% in the second quarter. Amundi now owns 4,032,676 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $1,188,147,000 after purchasing an additional 1,974,751 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.29% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at McDonald’s

In related news, EVP Manuel Jm Steijaert sold 6,567 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $305.50, for a total transaction of $2,006,218.50. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 4,606 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,407,133. This represents a 58.78% 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 2,626 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Monday, January 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $306.58, for a total value of $805,079.08. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 5,398 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,654,918.84. The trade was a 32.73% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 32,008 shares of company stock worth $9,895,452. 0.25% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

McDonald’s Stock Performance

NYSE:MCD opened at $319.73 on Wednesday. McDonald’s Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $283.47 and a fifty-two week high of $326.32. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $310.21 and a 200-day moving average price of $306.81. The firm has a market cap of $227.70 billion, a PE ratio of 27.28, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.22 and a beta of 0.52.

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

McDonald’s News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: BTIG upgraded MCD from Neutral to Buy and set a $360 price target after discussions with franchisees — a direct driver of improved investor sentiment and a potential catalyst for multiple buy-side re-ratings. BTIG upgrade report
• Positive Sentiment: Limited-edition McNugget® Caviar kits (partnership with Paramount Caviar) will be distributed for free online on Feb. 10 — a high-profile, low-cost promotion likely to boost traffic, social engagement and short-term same-store sales. McNugget Caviar PR
• Positive Sentiment: New product rollouts and promotions — including a Friends-themed Happy Meal with collectible toys and broader 2026 menu changes (new sauces, Happy Meals, seasonal returns) — reinforce McDonald’s ability to drive traffic and mix improvement. These campaigns support both top-line momentum and brand relevance. Friends Happy Meal launch
• Positive Sentiment: QSR profile highlights creative leadership credited with powering McDonald’s growth — qualitative evidence that management/marketing execution is being recognized by industry press, which can sustain investor confidence in long-term comp trends. QSR Magazine profile
• Neutral Sentiment: McDonald’s released final rosters for the 49th McDonald’s All American Games — a brand/CSR marketing event that helps long-term brand affinity but has limited immediate financial impact. All American Games rosters
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst/market commentary pieces summarize why MCD outpaced the market today — useful context for short-term moves but largely descriptive of the items above (upgrade + promotions). Zacks market note
• Neutral Sentiment: Several lifestyle pieces (Shamrock Shake seasonal return, Coke taste story, broader menu reporting) keep consumer interest high but are unlikely to move fundamentals on their own. Shamrock Shake return

Analyst Ratings Changes

MCD has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Truist Financial lifted their price objective on McDonald’s from $350.00 to $356.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, January 8th. UBS Group restated a “buy” rating and issued a $350.00 price target on shares of McDonald’s in a research note on Monday. Piper Sandler reiterated a “neutral” rating and issued a $325.00 price objective on shares of McDonald’s in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of McDonald’s from $340.00 to $345.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Finally, KeyCorp boosted their price target on shares of McDonald’s from $335.00 to $340.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, January 9th. Fifteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fourteen have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $331.37.

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.