McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) Raised to “Hold” at Robert W. Baird

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) was upgraded by Robert W. Baird to a “hold” rating in a research note issued on Monday,Zacks.com reports.

A number of other equities analysts have also commented on MCD. Cfra upgraded McDonald’s to a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, May 8th. BTIG Research reissued a “buy” rating and set a $350.00 target price on shares of McDonald’s in a report on Wednesday, August 5th. UBS Group set a $305.00 target price on McDonald’s in a report on Wednesday, August 5th. Citigroup raised their price target on McDonald’s from $335.00 to $345.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 5th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein reaffirmed a “market perform” rating and issued a $295.00 price target on shares of McDonald’s in a research note on Wednesday, August 5th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Buy rating and eleven have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, McDonald’s has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $325.88.

McDonald’s Stock Performance

NYSE:MCD opened at $268.05 on Monday. McDonald’s has a 52 week low of $260.96 and a 52 week high of $341.75. The firm has a market cap of $189.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.77, a P/E/G ratio of 3.05 and a beta of 0.41. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $271.68 and its 200 day simple moving average is $292.78.

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 4th. The fast-food giant reported $3.38 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.32 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $7.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $7.13 billion. McDonald’s had a net margin of 31.72% and a negative return on equity of 572.06%. The business’s revenue was up 3.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $3.19 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that McDonald’s will post 12.88 EPS for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other McDonald’s news, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 5,252 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $284.32, for a total value of $1,493,248.64. Following the sale, the insider owned 7,734 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,198,930.88. This trade represents a 40.44% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Desiree Ralls-Morrison sold 2,763 shares of McDonald’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $278.36, for a total value of $769,108.68. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 6,268 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,744,760.48. The trade was a 30.59% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Company insiders own 0.26% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Your Advocates Ltd. LLP bought a new position in shares of McDonald’s in the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. IFC & Insurance Marketing Inc. bought a new stake in shares of McDonald’s during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Abound Financial LLC bought a new stake in shares of McDonald’s during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Purpose Unlimited Inc. acquired a new position in McDonald’s during the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. Finally, Entrust Financial LLC acquired a new position in McDonald’s during the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. Institutional investors own 70.29% of the company’s stock.

Key Headlines Impacting McDonald’s

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

• Positive Sentiment: McDonald’s franchises in South Florida plan to add more than 1,000 workers, signaling continued local operating activity and potential demand growth in the region. McDonald’s franchises to add more than 1,000 workers in South Florida
• Positive Sentiment: McDonald’s is bringing back Spicy Chicken McNuggets for a limited time. The promotion could support traffic and customer engagement, though its short duration limits the likely financial impact. McDonald’s bringing back popular spicy snack
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts highlighted McDonald’s unified digital platform, which is nearing completion across major markets. Better integration could improve personalization, loyalty engagement, order frequency and restaurant productivity over time. Can MCD’s Unified Digital Platform Unlock More Growth & Productivity?
• Positive Sentiment: New and returning menu items—including limited-edition chicken nuggets, seasonal offerings and expanded cold-drink initiatives—could help McDonald’s compete for beverage and value-oriented spending. McDonald’s cold-drink competition

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.