McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE: MCD) runs the world’s largest fast-food chain, serving burgers, fries, and more across 100+ countries. Shares trade near $314 with a market cap of about $224 billion. From a single drive-in burger joint, it has grown into one of the most recognizable brands on Earth, feeding nearly 70 million customers daily.
Its franchise-heavy model produces steady cash flows, wide margins, and reliable dividends, making it a staple in many institutional portfolios. Once driven by founder Ray Kroc’s vision, McDonald’s is now a global institution, widely owned by index funds, pensions, and long-term asset managers.
Looking at its ownership breakdown and insider trades helps show how big investors feel about the stock today.
The Biggest Owners of McDonald’s Stock
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McDonald’s operates and franchises fast-food restaurants around the world, making it one of the most recognizable consumer brands. Its ownership is dominated by passive giants, while some active managers have recently pulled back.
- The Vanguard Group: 71.0M shares (9.95%), ~$22.3B. Added 914K (+1.3%).
- State Street Global Advisors: 34.8M (4.88%), ~$10.9B. Added 272K (+0.8%).
- BlackRock: 34.5M (4.83%), ~$10.8B. Cut 1.6M (-4.4%).
- JP Morgan Asset Management: 23.6M (3.31%), ~$7.4B. Cut 1.9M (-7.5%).
- Geode Capital: 16.8M (2.36%), ~$5.3B. Added 276K (+1.7%).
- Wellington Management: 9.0M (1.26%), ~$2.8B. Reduced 2.9M (-24.2%).
- Capital Research Global Investors: 6.9M (0.96%), ~$2.2B. Reduced 1.9M (-21.5%).
One highlight from last quarter is D.E. Shaw’s massive increase, lifting its McDonald’s stake by over 47,700%. The firm now owns about 622K shares worth $182 million, showing a major shift in confidence toward the stock.
Another notable move came from Balyasny Asset Management, which boosted its position by more than 19,000%. The fund now controls 476K shares valued at $139 million, signaling a strong conviction bet at current levels.
Meanwhile, Citadel Advisors sharply ramped up its holdings by nearly 5,000%, bringing its stake to 2.66M shares worth $778 million. This big jump suggests one of the world’s largest hedge funds is leaning heavily into McDonald’s.
Passive funds like Vanguard and State Street keep McDonald’s broadly owned, providing stability in its shareholder base. The cuts from Wellington, Capital Research, and JP Morgan suggest that some active managers may be less confident in the stock at current prices.
See whether McDonald’s top shareholders are buying or selling today >>>
How McDonald’s Executives Are Trading Their Shares
Insider transactions at McDonald’s provide a window into how management is handling personal exposure to the stock.
While institutional ownership dominates the shareholder base, insider activity can sometimes signal how confident executives feel about future prospects. In recent months, the pattern has leaned toward small sales rather than meaningful buying.
Here are some recent insider sales:
- Jonathan Banner (Officer): Sold 1,000 shares at $310.
- Desiree Ralls-Morrison (Officer): Sold 2,487 shares at $310.
- Edith Morgan Flatley (Officer): Sold 1,976 shares at $300–$304.
- Joseph Erlanger (Officer): Sold 939 shares at ~$299.
The trades appear modest in size and may be linked to compensation or diversification. There has not been any notable insider buying.
Insider activity looks tilted toward selling, which may suggest executives are cautious about adding more at current levels.
Selling does not always indicate trouble, but the absence of buying makes it less clear that management sees the current price as an attractive entry point.
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What McDonald’s Ownership and Insider Trends Signal
Looking at both institutional ownership and insider trades gives a fuller picture of how the market views McDonald’s today.
Several active managers have trimmed their positions, and insiders have leaned toward modest selling without meaningful buying.
McDonald’s remains a high-quality business with steady cash flows and reliable dividends, which keeps it attractive to large funds.
However, the lack of insider buying and the pullback from some active managers suggest that major investors may be waiting for a clearer catalyst before committing more capital at current prices.
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