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How to Buy McDonald’s Stock | Invest in MCD

how to buy mcdonalds stock
Marko Marjanovic

Summary: McDonald’s Corporation is a publicly traded restaurant chain listed on the New York Stock Exchange. In this guide, you will learn how to buy McDonald’s stock using an online investment platform such as eToro and gain exposure to one of the largest and most recognizable fast-food chains in the world.

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  • eToro USA is registered with FINRA for securities trading.

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Securities trading offered by eToro USA Securities, Inc. (“the BD”), member of FINRA and SIPC. Cryptocurrency offered by eToro USA LLC (“the MSB”) (NMLS: 1769299) and is not FDIC or SIPC insured. Investing involves risk, and content is provided for educational purposes only, does not imply a recommendation, and is not a guarantee of future performance. Finbold.com is not an affiliate and may be compensated if you access certain products or services offered by the MSB and/or the BD

About McDonald’s

McDonald’s homepage. Source: McDonalds.com

McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE: MCD) is a leading global fast-food chain known for its hamburgers, cheeseburgers, and french fries. Established in 1940 by Ray Kroc, the chain has grown to operate 40,000 restaurants around the world, serving millions of customers each day. 

McDonald’s stock split history

McDonald’s has undergone a total of 9 stock splits, the most recent one being in1999.

DateSplitMultiple
1999-03-082:1x2
1994-06-272:1x2
1989-06-192:1x2
1987-06-233:2x1.5
1986-06-263:2x1.5
1984-09-253:2x1.5
1982-10-073:2x1.5
1972-06-062:1x2
1971-06-143:2x1.5

How to buy McDonald’s stock: Step-by-step

McDonald’s went public in 1965, trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker MCD, and investing in it can be a great way to diversify your portfolio and benefit from the company’s extensive global reach and brand recognition. 

To buy McDonalnd’s stock, simply:

  1. Find a broker: Find a brokerage platform that lists MCD stock;
  2. Research the company;
  3. Register and fund your account;
  4. Place a trade: Find MCD stock on the broker’s platform and place a trade;
  5. Monitor your investment.

Step 1: Find a broker

To start investing, you’ll need to find a reputable broker that lists McDonald’s stock. It’s crucial to compare various online brokers to find one that meets your needs and strategies. Consider the following factors:

  • Fees: Look for a platform that offers commission-free trading to maximize your returns;
  • Account minimums: Some brokers have deposit minimums;
  • Account options: Cash accounts let you invest only the money you have, while margin accounts allow you to borrow money;
  • Customer support: Educational resources, market news, and responsive customer support will all help you make better investment choices.

Our recommended broker for investing in McDonald’s is eToro, a platform with millions of active users that offers:

  • Commission-free stock and ETF trading;
  • Over 2,000 stocks from 17 different exchanges;
  • Fractional shares;
  • Charting tools;
  • User-friendly platform.

Highly Rated Stock Trading & Investing Platform

  • Invest in 2,800+ stocks and other assets including 70+ cryptocurrencies and commodities.

  • 0% commission on buying stocks - buy in bulk or just a fraction from as little as $10. Other fees apply. For more information, visit etoro.com/trading/fees.

  • Copy top-performing traders in real time, automatically.

  • eToro USA is registered with FINRA for securities trading.

30+ million Users
Securities trading offered by eToro USA Securities, Inc. (“the BD”), member of FINRA and SIPC. Cryptocurrency offered by eToro USA LLC (“the MSB”) (NMLS: 1769299) and is not FDIC or SIPC insured. Investing involves risk, and content is provided for educational purposes only, does not imply a recommendation, and is not a guarantee of future performance. Finbold.com is not an affiliate and may be compensated if you access certain products or services offered by the MSB and/or the BD

Step 2: Research the company

Before buying McDonald’s stock, you have to research the company and its current (as well as historical) stock performance. That involves conducting both fundamental and technical analysis:

  • Fundamental analysis helps you gauge the intrinsic value of a company by allowing you to examine its financial health, revenue, profit margins, and growth potential;
  • Technical analysis checks the stock’s history and utilizes chart patterns to predict future movements.

Additionally, other key factors should be considered, such as McDonald’s market position, the quality of its management team, its debt levels, and trends in the fast-food industry.

Step 4: Fund your account

Once you’ve chosen a brokerage, the next step is to open an account. This typically involves providing personal information and verifying your identity with a valid ID document.

Once your account is set up, you can deposit funds using various methods, such as:

  • Bank transfers;
  • Credit/debit cards;
  • E-wallets;
  • Third-party payment systems like PayPal.

Step 4: Place a trade

With your account funded, you can buy McDonald’s stock by following these steps:

  1. Log in to your broker’s trading platform;
  2. Search for McDonald’s stock using its ticker symbol, MCD;
  3. Enter the number of shares you want to purchase or the dollar amount you wish to invest;
  4. Choose the type of order you want to place (i.e., market, limit, stop-loss, etc.);
  5. Review the details of your order;
  6. Execute the trade.

Step 5: Monitor your investment

It’s important to monitor your investment’s performance regularly. That includes reviewing McDonald’s financial statements, quarterly earnings reports, and press releases. Additionally, consider keeping an eye on:

  • Key performance indicators like revenue, net income, and same-store sales;
  • Industry trends and competitors such as Burger King and Starbucks;
  • Broader economic conditions that could impact the fast-food industry.

By staying informed, you can make educated decisions about whether to hold, buy more, or sell your shares.

Disclaimer: TradingView does not recommend trading financial instruments based exclusively on the advice of the Technical Rating indicator. These recommendations cannot predict future movements and are meant as assistance for spotting potentially favorable buy/sell conditions if this is consistent with their strategy.


McDonald’s stock price today

Pros and Cons of Investing in McDonald’s

Pros

Pros

  • Global presence: McDonald’s operates in 120 countries worldwide, providing exposure to international markets;
  • Brand recognition: The company’s brand is extremely well-known;
  • Consistent dividends: McDonald’s has a history of paying dividends;
  • Resilient business model: Fast food remains popular even during economic downturns;
  • Franchise model: McDonald’s franchise model makes it easy to research the company’s organization.
Cons

Cons

  • Competition: McDonald’s faces strong competition from other fast-food chains and new market entrants;
  • Health concerns: Some investors may avoid fast food companies due to health and nutrition concerns;
  • Price: MCD shares are often considered pricey.

FAQs about how to buy McDonald’s stock

Does McDonald’s have a stock?

Yes, McDonald’s is publicly traded on the NYSE under the ticker symbol MCD.

What is the McDonald’s stock symbol?

The McDonald’s stock symbol is MCD.

Did McDonald’s stock split?

Yes, the McDonald’s stock has undergone nine stock splits.

Is McDonald’s private or public?

McDonald’s is a public company.

How can I buy McDonald’s stock?

You can buy McDonald’s stock through an online brokerage platform like eToro.

Who owns McDonald’s stock?

McDonald’s is owned by different shareholders since it is a publicly-traded company. According to TipRanks, around 60% of the company is owned by public companies and individual investors, 19.40% by mutual funds, and 19.44% by other Institutional Investors.

Is it a good time to buy McDonald’s stock?

Whether it’s a good time to buy McDonald’s stock or not depends on various factors, including your investment goals, risk tolerance, and overall market conditions. You can use technical analysis to assess short-term price trends and entry points. 

Highly Rated Stock Trading & Investing Platform

  • Invest in 2,800+ stocks and other assets including 70+ cryptocurrencies and commodities.

  • 0% commission on buying stocks - buy in bulk or just a fraction from as little as $10. Other fees apply. For more information, visit etoro.com/trading/fees.

  • Copy top-performing traders in real time, automatically.

  • eToro USA is registered with FINRA for securities trading.

30+ million Users
Securities trading offered by eToro USA Securities, Inc. (“the BD”), member of FINRA and SIPC. Cryptocurrency offered by eToro USA LLC (“the MSB”) (NMLS: 1769299) and is not FDIC or SIPC insured. Investing involves risk, and content is provided for educational purposes only, does not imply a recommendation, and is not a guarantee of future performance. Finbold.com is not an affiliate and may be compensated if you access certain products or services offered by the MSB and/or the BD

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