How to Invest in McDonalds?
McDonalds Investing Guide | MCD |
- Research McDonalds' stock before investing in McDonalds. It's a good idea to research the company and its stock by analyzing its financial statements, reading news articles, and studying its historical performance, including its growth strategy, change in net worth, competition, and potential risks.
- Choose a brokerage firm to buy shares of McDonalds. We recommend well-established brokerages such as Charles Schwab, Fidelity, TD Ameritrade, and Robinhood, but in many ways, it will depend on your individual needs, preferences, and investment goals.
- Open an account at one of the brokerages you have selected. You will be required to provide personal information, such as your name, address, and Social Security number.
- Fund your account. You will need to deposit funds into your brokerage account to purchase McDonalds stock. You can do this by transferring funds from your bank account or other investment accounts.
- Place your order. Once you have located McDonalds stock in your brokerage account, you can place your order to buy it. You will need to specify the number of shares you want to buy and the price you are willing to pay.
- Monitor your investment to track its performance and make informed decisions about buying, selling, or holding the stock.
It's important to note that investing in stocks such as McDonalds carries risks, and you should carefully consider your investment goals and risk tolerance before making any investment decisions regarding McDonalds Stock. Also, remember that it's important for investors to have a long-term perspective and a well-diversified portfolio to manage the impact of stock market volatility on their investments. Below is a detailed guide on how to invest safely in McDonalds.
Research McDonalds Stock
Researching McDonalds' stock involves analyzing various aspects of the company and its industry to make an informed investment decision. The key areas to focus on are fundamentals, business model and competitive advantage. It is also important to analyze trends in revenue, net income, and cash flow, as well as key financial ratios, such as price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and debt-to-equity (D/E).
About 74.0% of the company shares are owned by institutional investors. The company has Price/Earnings To Growth (PEG) ratio of 2.72. McDonalds recorded earning per share (EPS) of 11.39. The entity last dividend was issued on the 3rd of March 2025. The firm had 2:1 split on the 8th of March 1999. McDonalds Corporation operates and franchises McDonalds restaurants in the United States and internationally. McDonalds Corporation was founded in 1940 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. McDonalds Corp operates under Restaurants classification in the United States and is traded on New York Stock Exchange. It employs 100000 people. To find out more about McDonalds contact the company at 630 623 3000 or learn more at https://www.mcdonalds.com. Other things to consider when investing in McDonalds
Another important aspect of McDonalds' research is to evaluate the company's potential for future growth. This may include expanding into new markets, launching new products or services, or improving operational efficiency. Companies with strong growth prospects can be more attractive investments. This aspect of the research should be conducted in the context of the overall market and industry in which the company operates and should include an analysis of growth potential, competitive landscape, and any regulatory or economic factors that could impact the business. Some of the essential points regarding McDonalds' research are outlined below:
| About 74.0% of the company shares are owned by institutional investors | |
| On 17th of March 2025 McDonalds paid $ 1.77 per share dividend to its current shareholders | |
| Latest headline from thestar.com: Wimbledon runner-up Nick Kyrgios beats McDonald at the Miami Open for his first win in 2 12 years |
McDonalds Quarterly Cash And Short Term Investments |
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Check McDonalds' earnings reports
McDonalds uses earnings reports to provide investors with an update of all three financial statements, including the income statement, the balance sheet, and the cash flow statement. Therefore, it is also crucial when considering investing in McDonalds. Every quarterly earnings report provides investors with an overview of sales, expenses, and net income for the most recent period. It also may provide a comparison to McDonalds' previous reporting period. The quarterly earnings reports are usually disseminated to the public via Form 10-Q, which is a legal document filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission every quarter.
| 23rd of April 2024 Upcoming Quarterly Report | View | |
| 25th of July 2024 Next Financial Report | View | |
| 31st of March 2024 Next Fiscal Quarter End | View | |
| 3rd of February 2025 Next Fiscal Year End | View | |
| 31st of December 2023 Last Quarter Report | View | |
| 31st of December 2023 Last Financial Announcement | View |
Use historical earnings surprises to time your McDonalds position
Earnings surprises can significantly impact McDonalds' stock price both in the short term and over time. Negative earnings surprises usually result in a price decline. However, it has been seen that positive earnings surprises lead to an immediate rise in a stock's price and a gradual increase over time. This is why we often hear news about some companies beating earning projections. Financial analysts spend a large amount of time predicting earnings per share (EPS) along with other important future indicators. Many analysts use forecasting models, management guidance, and additional fundamental information to derive an EPS estimate. Below are the table of largest EPS Surprises McDonalds' investors have experienced.
| Reported | Fiscal Date | Estimated EPS | Reported EPS | Surprise | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2020-07-28 | 2020-06-30 | 0.74 | 0.66 | -0.08 | 10 | ||
2008-04-22 | 2008-03-31 | 0.7 | 0.81 | 0.11 | 15 | ||
2015-10-22 | 2015-09-30 | 1.27 | 1.4 | 0.13 | 10 | ||
2005-04-21 | 2005-03-31 | 0.43 | 0.56 | 0.13 | 30 | ||
2017-04-25 | 2017-03-31 | 1.33 | 1.47 | 0.14 | 10 | ||
2021-07-28 | 2021-06-30 | 2.11 | 2.37 | 0.26 | 12 | ||
2023-04-25 | 2023-03-31 | 2.33 | 2.63 | 0.3 | 12 | ||
2021-10-27 | 2021-09-30 | 2.46 | 2.76 | 0.3 | 12 |
Know McDonalds' Top Institutional Investors
Have you ever been surprised when a price of an equity instrument such as McDonalds is soaring high without any particular reason? This is usually happening because many institutional investors are aggressively trading McDonalds backward and forwards among themselves. McDonalds' institutional investor refers to the entity that pools money to purchase McDonalds' securities or originate loans. Institutional investors include commercial and private banks, credit unions, insurance companies, pension funds, hedge funds, endowments, and mutual funds. Operating companies that invest excess capital in these types of assets may also be included in the term and may influence corporate governance by exercising voting rights in their investments.
| Shares | Wells Fargo & Co | 2024-12-31 | 8.3 M | T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. | 2024-12-31 | 8 M | Royal Bank Of Canada | 2024-12-31 | 7.3 M | Ubs Group Ag | 2024-12-31 | 6.4 M | Bank Of New York Mellon Corp | 2024-12-31 | 5.8 M | Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc | 2024-12-31 | 5.7 M | Ubs Asset Mgmt Americas Inc | 2024-12-31 | 5 M | Nuveen Asset Management, Llc | 2024-12-31 | 4.6 M | Ameriprise Financial Inc | 2024-12-31 | 4.5 M | Vanguard Group Inc | 2024-12-31 | 70.2 M | Blackrock Inc | 2024-12-31 | 52.4 M |
Follow McDonalds' market capitalization trends
The company currently falls under 'Mega-Cap' category with a total capitalization of 219.34 B.Market Cap |
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Evaluate McDonalds' profitablity
| Last Reported | Projected for Next Year | ||
| Return On Tangible Assets | 0.16 | 0.10 | |
| Return On Capital Employed | 0.23 | 0.16 | |
| Return On Assets | 0.15 | 0.09 | |
| Return On Equity | (2.17) | (2.06) |
Determining McDonalds' profitability involves analyzing its financial statements and using various financial metrics to assess its ability to generate profits. Also, when deciding whether to invest in McDonalds, it's important to look at multiple sources and consider different scenarios. For example, gross profit margin measures McDonalds' profitability after accounting for the cost of goods sold, while net profit margin measures profitability after accounting for all expenses. Other important metrics include return on assets, return on equity, and free cash flow. By reviewing multiple sources and metrics, you can gain a complete picture of McDonalds' profitability and make more informed investment decisions.
Please note, the presentation of McDonalds' financial position, as portrayed in its financial statements, is often influenced by management's estimates, judgments, and sometimes even manipulations. In the best case, McDonalds' management is honest, while the outside auditors are strict and uncompromising. Please utilize our Beneish M Score to check the likelihood of McDonalds' management manipulating its earnings.
Evaluate McDonalds' management efficiency
McDonalds has Return on Asset of 0.1331 % which means that on every $100 spent on assets, it made $0.1331 of profit. This is way below average. McDonalds' management efficiency ratios could be used to measure how well McDonalds manages its routine affairs as well as how well it operates its assets and liabilities. As of March 21, 2025, Return On Tangible Assets is expected to decline to 0.1. In addition to that, Return On Capital Employed is expected to decline to 0.16. At present, McDonalds' Other Current Assets are projected to increase significantly based on the last few years of reporting. The current year's Intangible Assets is expected to grow to about 1.7 B, whereas Non Current Assets Total are forecasted to decline to about 26.2 B.| Last Reported | Projected for Next Year | ||
| Book Value Per Share | (5.31) | (5.04) | |
| Tangible Book Value Per Share | (9.71) | (9.22) | |
| Enterprise Value Over EBITDA | 20.99 | 22.04 | |
| Price Book Value Ratio | (54.60) | (51.87) | |
| Enterprise Value Multiple | 20.99 | 22.04 | |
| Price Fair Value | (54.60) | (51.87) | |
| Enterprise Value | 216.2 B | 227 B |
McDonalds showcases strong leadership that adapts to market changes and drives innovation. Our analysis explores how this adaptability affects the stock's investment appeal.
Basic technical analysis of McDonalds Stock
As of the 21st of March, McDonalds secures the mean deviation of 0.9096, and Risk Adjusted Performance of 0.0511. Concerning fundamental indicators, the technical analysis model lets you check available technical drivers of McDonalds, as well as the relationship between them. Please verify McDonalds coefficient of variation, maximum drawdown, skewness, as well as the relationship between the information ratio and downside variance to decide if McDonalds is priced favorably, providing market reflects its recent price of 305.44 per share. Given that McDonalds has jensen alpha of 0.0923, we recommend you to check McDonalds's last-minute market performance to make sure the company can sustain itself next year.Check McDonalds' insider trading activities
Some recent studies suggest that insider trading raises the cost of capital for securities issuers and decreases overall economic growth. Trading by specific McDonalds insiders, such as employees or executives, is commonly permitted as long as it does not rely on McDonalds' material information that is not in the public domain. Local jurisdictions usually require such trading to be reported in order to monitor insider transactions. In many U.S. states, trading conducted by corporate officers, key employees, directors, or significant shareholders must be reported to the regulator or publicly disclosed, usually within a few business days of the trade. In these cases McDonalds insiders are required to file a Form 4 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) when buying or selling shares of their own companies.
Evaluate McDonalds' Outstanding Corporate Bonds
McDonalds issues bonds to finance its operations. Corporate bonds make up one of the largest components of the U.S. bond market, which is considered the world's largest securities market. McDonalds uses the proceeds from bond sales for a wide variety of purposes, including financing ongoing mergers and acquisitions, buying new equipment, investing in research and development, buying back their own stock, paying dividends to shareholders, and even refinancing existing debt. Most McDonalds bonds can be classified according to their maturity, which is the date when McDonalds has to pay back the principal to investors. Maturities can be short-term, medium-term, or long-term (more than ten years). Longer-term bonds usually offer higher interest rates but may entail additional risks.
| MCDONALDS P MEDIUM Corp BondUS58013MEC47 | View | |
| MCDONALDS P MEDIUM Corp BondUS58013MEH34 | View | |
| MCDONALDS P MEDIUM Corp BondUS58013MEF77 | View | |
| MCDONALDS PORATION MTN Corp BondUS58013MFN92 | View | |
| US58013MFL37 Corp BondUS58013MFL37 | View | |
| MCDONALDS PORATION MTN Corp BondUS58013MFM10 | View | |
| MCD 515 09 SEP 52 Corp BondUS58013MFT62 | View | |
| MCD 46 09 SEP 32 Corp BondUS58013MFS89 | View |
McDonalds' technical indicators
Using predictive indicators to make investment decisions involves analyzing McDonalds' various financial and market-based factors to help forecast future trends and identify investment opportunities. Select the indicators that are most relevant to your investment strategy. Each indicator has its own strengths and weaknesses, so it's essential to combine multiple indicators to get a more comprehensive view of the market and reduce the risk of making poor decisions based on limited data.
| Risk Adjusted Performance | 0.0511 | |||
| Market Risk Adjusted Performance | 0.1359 | |||
| Mean Deviation | 0.9096 | |||
| Semi Deviation | 1.07 | |||
| Downside Deviation | 1.14 | |||
| Coefficient Of Variation | 1841.98 | |||
| Standard Deviation | 1.26 | |||
| Variance | 1.6 | |||
| Information Ratio | 0.1036 | |||
| Jensen Alpha | 0.0923 | |||
| Total Risk Alpha | 0.1617 | |||
| Sortino Ratio | 0.1148 | |||
| Treynor Ratio | 0.1259 | |||
| Maximum Drawdown | 8.1 | |||
| Value At Risk | (1.76) | |||
| Potential Upside | 1.92 | |||
| Downside Variance | 1.3 | |||
| Semi Variance | 1.15 | |||
| Expected Short fall | (0.98) | |||
| Skewness | 0.7607 | |||
| Kurtosis | 3.1 |
| Risk Adjusted Performance | 0.0511 | |||
| Market Risk Adjusted Performance | 0.1359 | |||
| Mean Deviation | 0.9096 | |||
| Semi Deviation | 1.07 | |||
| Downside Deviation | 1.14 | |||
| Coefficient Of Variation | 1841.98 | |||
| Standard Deviation | 1.26 | |||
| Variance | 1.6 | |||
| Information Ratio | 0.1036 | |||
| Jensen Alpha | 0.0923 | |||
| Total Risk Alpha | 0.1617 | |||
| Sortino Ratio | 0.1148 | |||
| Treynor Ratio | 0.1259 | |||
| Maximum Drawdown | 8.1 | |||
| Value At Risk | (1.76) | |||
| Potential Upside | 1.92 | |||
| Downside Variance | 1.3 | |||
| Semi Variance | 1.15 | |||
| Expected Short fall | (0.98) | |||
| Skewness | 0.7607 | |||
| Kurtosis | 3.1 |
Consider McDonalds' intraday indicators
McDonalds intraday indicators are useful technical analysis tools used by many experienced traders. Just like the conventional technical analysis, daily indicators help intraday investors to analyze the price movement with the timing of McDonalds stock daily movement. By combining multiple daily indicators into a single trading strategy, you can limit your risk while still earning strong returns on your managed positions.
| Accumulation Distribution | 104844.0 | |||
| Daily Balance Of Power | (0.29) | |||
| Rate Of Daily Change | 0.99 | |||
| Day Median Price | 304.32 | |||
| Day Typical Price | 304.69 | |||
| Price Action Indicator | 0.34 | |||
| Period Momentum Indicator | (1.56) | |||
| Relative Strength Index | 51.85 |
McDonalds Corporate Filings
8K | 11th of March 2025 Report filed with the SEC to announce major events that shareholders should know about | ViewVerify |
F4 | 28th of February 2025 The report filed by a party regarding the acquisition or disposition of a company's common stock, as well as derivative securities such as options, warrants, and convertible securities | ViewVerify |
| 27th of February 2025 Prospectus used primarily for registering securities for public sale. | ViewVerify | |
FWP | 26th of February 2025 A written communication used by offering participants to offer securities to the public or to solicit securities transactions. | ViewVerify |
Choose a brokerage platform to buy McDonalds' shares
In investing, finding the right broker is a crucial step for anyone looking to embark on a journey into the stock market. It all begins with a thorough comparison of costs and fees, as low-cost or commission-free brokers can significantly impact an investor's returns. However, the cheapest option is not always the best choice. The adventure continues with exploring various trading platforms, seeking one that is user-friendly, reliable, and functional. The ideal platform will provide the necessary research, analysis, and investment monitoring tools. As the quest goes on, it's essential to consider the different account types brokers offer, such as individual, joint, and retirement accounts. In addition, for those interested in trading on margin, brokers offering margin accounts should also be considered. The journey leads to the discovery of brokers that provide a wide range of investment options, including stocks, bonds, ETFs, and mutual funds. This diversity allows investors to build well-rounded portfolios that suit their needs and goals. Customer service is another crucial factor in this decision-making process. The perfect broker would have a responsive, knowledgeable, and available customer support team ready to assist with various issues or investment decisions. Aspiring investors should seek brokers with quality research, market analysis, and educational resources. These tools are essential for making informed decisions and improving investment knowledge. It's also vital to ensure that the broker is regulated by an appropriate regulatory body and has robust security measures to protect personal and financial information. Additionally, account minimums and funding options should be taken into consideration. A broker with flexible account minimums and various funding options, such as wire transfers, ACH transfers, or check deposits, will cater to different investor needs. A seamless mobile and web experience is a must in today's fast-paced world. The ideal broker will allow investors to manage their investments easily on the go. Finally, it is essential to consider various brokers' reviews and conduct reputation analysis. By reading online assessments and seeking recommendations, valuable insights into each broker's reputation can be gathered. After a thorough investigation, you can find a broker that checks all the boxes and aligns with their preferences and requirements regarding taking a position in McDonalds.
Open brokerage account to buy McDonalds Stock
Once you've selected a broker, visit their website or a local branch to initiate the account-opening process. Most brokers offer online account opening, which is typically faster and more convenient. When you begin the process, you'll need to select the type of account you want to open. This may include individual, joint, or retirement accounts. Some brokers may also offer margin accounts, which allow you to trade on margin. Next, you'll need to complete the application form. Whether you're filling out an online or paper application, you'll need to provide personal information, such as your name, address, Social Security Number or other tax identification number, date of birth, and employment information. You may also be asked about your investment experience, financial situation, and goals. After completing the application form, review it carefully for accuracy and submit it to the broker. Some brokers may require you to provide additional documentation, such as a copy of your driver's license or passport, for identity verification. Once your application is submitted, the broker will review it and may run a background check or verify your credit history. You'll receive an email or notification with your new brokerage account details if your application is approved.
Fund your account to invest in McDonalds Stock
Once your account is open, you can fund it by linking your bank account to your brokerage account. To do this, log in to your brokerage account and look for an option to add or link a bank account. You will need to provide your bank account number and the routing number for your bank. This information can be found on your checks or by contacting your bank. After linking your bank account, you can initiate a transfer of funds from your bank account to your brokerage account. This process may vary depending on the brokerage, but generally, you will need to navigate to the funding or deposit section of the brokerage website or app. From there, you can choose the linked bank account and enter the amount you wish to transfer. Keep in mind that there may be limits on the amount you can transfer in a single transaction, and the transfer may take several business days to complete. Some brokerages also offer other funding options, such as wire transfers, mailing a check, or transferring assets from another brokerage. If you prefer to use one of these methods, check with your brokerage firm for specific instructions. Once the funds are in your brokerage account, you can use them to purchase investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or other financial instruments.
Place your McDonalds Stock order
Placing a McDonalds purchase order involves providing instructions to your selected brokerage firm to aquare shares of McDonalds on your behalf. First, your will need to access your brokerage account through their website or mobile app using your login credentials. Make sure you have sufficient funds in your account to cover the cost of the stock purchase, including any applicable fees or commissions. Once you are logged in, locate the trading platform or order entry section within the brokerage interface. It may be labeled as "Trade," "Order Entry," or something similar. Next, you will need to provide the necessary information to place your stock order. This typically includes: .
After entering the necessary information, review your order carefully to ensure it reflects your intentions accurately. When you are ready, submit your order by clicking the "Submit," "Place Order," or equivalent button. Your brokerage firm will then execute your order according to your instructions, subject to market conditions and the availability of shares. Keep in mind that market orders may be executed immediately, while limit orders, stop orders, and stop-limit orders will only be executed if the specified conditions are met. Finally, monitor your order status and confirm its execution. You can usually find this information in the "Order History" or "Order Status" section of your brokerage account.
| Ticker | Enter the ticker symbol, which is the unique series of letters representing the stock, e.g., MCD for McDonalds | |
| Type | Choose the type of order you want to place. The most common order types are market orders, limit orders, stop orders, and stop-limit orders. Each order type has its own advantages and drawbacks, so be sure to research and understand them before placing your order. | |
| Quantity | Specify the number of shares you want to buy or sell | |
| Duration | Indicate the duration for which your order will be active. You can choose from options like "Day" (valid only for the current trading day) or "Good 'til Canceled" (valid until you manually cancel the order) |
Monitor your McDonalds Stock position
Monitoring your stock positions with your brokerage involves regularly checking the status and performance of your investments. Here's how you can monitor your stock positions using your brokerage account: First, access your account by signing in to your brokerage firm's website or mobile app using your login credentials. Once you're logged in, look for the section that displays your account information and portfolio holdings. This section may be labeled as "Portfolio," "Positions," "Holdings," or something similar. In this section, you'll generally find a list of the stocks and other investments that you own, along with relevant details such as the number of shares, the current market value, and the percentage change in value since the last trading day's close. You might also see the total cost of your investment, your current profit or loss, and the percentage gain or loss. Many brokerages also provide tools and features that allow you to analyze and track your stock positions more effectively. These may include:
As you continue to monitor your McDonalds Stock position, remember that in order to be an effective trader, it is critical to understand your entire portfolio's sensitivity to market volatility and how your single McDonalds position affects your overall exposure to market risk. One of the techniques to manage your overall risk is pair trading, a market-neutral trading strategy enabling traders to profit from virtually any market condition, whether it is experiencing an uptrend or downtrend movement.
| Performance Charts | These charts visually represent the historical price movement of your stocks over different time frames. You can use them to assess the trends and volatility of your investments. | |
| Stock Alerts | You can set up custom alerts to receive notifications when a stock reaches a certain price, percentage change, or other criteria. This can help you stay informed about significant market movements affecting your investments. | |
| Watchlists | Create watchlists to track the performance of stocks you are interested in but have not yet purchased. This can help you identify potential opportunities or risks. | |
| Research Tools | Brokerages often provide access to research tools, such as stock screeners, analyst reports, and financial statements, to help you make more informed investment decisions. |
Moving together with McDonalds Stock
Moving against McDonalds Stock
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| 0.75 | NVR | NVR Inc | PairCorr |
| 0.71 | DHI | DR Horton | PairCorr |
| 0.68 | KTB | Kontoor Brands | PairCorr |
| 0.68 | JOUT | Johnson Outdoors | PairCorr |
| 0.67 | PLAY | Dave Busters Enterta | PairCorr |
| 0.66 | CRI | Carters | PairCorr |
| 0.55 | ARMK | Aramark Holdings | PairCorr |
| 0.54 | FUN | Six Flags Entertainment | PairCorr |
| 0.5 | FNKO | Funko Inc | PairCorr |
| 0.49 | GOLF | Acushnet Holdings Corp | PairCorr |
| 0.47 | FORD | Forward Industries | PairCorr |
| 0.41 | HD | Home Depot | PairCorr |
| 0.41 | COOK | Traeger | PairCorr |
| 0.39 | PRPL | Purple Innovation | PairCorr |
Follow McDonalds Stock across various news and media outlets
Far too much social signal, news, headlines, and media speculation about McDonalds that are available to investors today. That information is available publicly through McDonalds media outlets and privately through word of mouth or via McDonalds internal channels. However, regardless of the origin, that massive amount of McDonalds data is challenging to quantify into actionable patterns, especially for investors that are not very sophisticated with ever-evolving tools and techniques used in the investment management field.
A primary focus of McDonalds news analysis is to determine if its current price reflects all relevant headlines and social signals impacting the current market conditions. A news analyst typically looks at the history of McDonalds relative headlines and hype rather than examining external drivers such as technical or fundamental data. It is believed that price action tends to repeat itself due to investors' collective, patterned thinking related to McDonalds' headlines and news coverage data. This data is often completely overlooked or insufficiently analyzed for actionable insights to drive McDonalds alpha.