McDonald's에 대한 매도 수량은 투자자에게 McDonald's의 주식 하락에 베팅하는 정도를 알려줍니다. 매도 수량 데이터는 2주마다 업데이트됩니다.

McDonald's (NYSE:MCD) 주식, 공매도 수량 보고

McDonald's

McDonald's is the largest restaurant owner-operator in the world, with 2023 system sales of $130 billion across nearly than 42,000 stores and 115 markets. McDonald's pioneered the franchise model, building its footprint through partnerships with independent restaurant franchisees and master franchise partners around the globe. The firm earns roughly 60% of its revenue from franchise royalty fees and lease payments, with most of the remainder coming from company-operated stores across its three core segments: the United States, internationally operated markets, and international developmental/licensed markets.

News

Restaurants

Tech

$DOGE

일론 머스크가 맥도날드(NYSE:MCD) 일본과 상징적인 애니메이션 시리즈인 네온 제네시스 에반게리온(Neon Genesis Evangelion)의 협업에 대해서 공유했다.
무슨 일 있었나: 맥도날드 일본과 에반게리온의 파트너십은 2024년 12월 19일에 처음 발표되었다. 그리고 수요일(25일)에는 맥도날드 일본의 공식 엑스(X) 계정에 오리지널 성우들이 출연한 후속 프리뷰 영상이 게시되었다.

맥도날드 일본과 에반게리온의 협업, 일론 머스크가 관심 가져

맥도날드는 쿼터파운더 햄버거의 얇게 썬 양파와 관련된 대장균 사태 이후 명성을 되찾고 고객을 다시 끌어들이기 위해 모든 노력을 기울이고 있다.  패스트푸드 대기업 맥도날드는 마케팅 및 가맹점 지원을 포함한 복구 노력에 1억 달러를 배정하여 그 여파를 해결하고 있는 것으로 알려졌다. 

맥도날드, 대장균 사태 이후 &#39;신뢰와 애정&#39; 재구축 위해 1억 달러 지출

Movers

맥도날드(NYSE:MCD)의 주식이 금요일 2% 하락했다. 이는 회사가 최근 발생한 대장균(E. Coli) 집단 감염의 영향을 해결하기 위해 1억 달러를 지출할 계획이라는 보도가 나온 후 발생한 일이다.

금요일 맥도날드의 주가 2% 하락: 무슨 일이 벌어지고 있나?

McDonald's Corp

KMA Holding Inc

McDermott International Ltd Warrants - Class B (30/06/2027)

McDermott International Ltd

MCDERMOTT INT LTD by McDermott International LTD.

MACDONALD MINES EXPL LTD by MacDonald Mines Exploration Ltd.

MacDonald Mines Exploration Ltd

JPMorgan Fundamental Data Science Mid Core ETF

McDermott International Ltd Warrants - Class A (30/06/2027)

Elon Musk has shared a preview of the collaboration between McDonald&#8217;s Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCD#NYSE">MCD</a>) Japan and the iconic anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion.
What Happened: This partnership was first announced on Dec. 19, 2024. On Wednesday, McDonald Japan's official X, formerly Twitter, page posted a follow-up preview video featuring original voice actors.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">運命に導かれた3つのバーガーが マクドナルドに集結。 エヴァンゲリオンバーガー 1/6(月)発売 <a href="https://t.co/6S5JO3Mpi7">pic.twitter.com/6S5JO3Mpi7</a>
&mdash; マクドナルド (@McDonaldsJapan) <a href="https://twitter.com/McDonaldsJapan/status/1872047167419920837?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 25, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42666738/how-apples-upcoming-smart-doorbell-compares-to-amazons-ring?itm_source=parsely-api">How Apple&#8217;s Upcoming Smart Doorbell Compares To Amazon&#8217;s Ring</a>
The collaboration&#8217;s highlight is the McDonald&#8217;s Evangelion Value Set, offering three unique transforming figurines.
These figures morph from McDonald&#8217;s items—a Big Mac, French fries, and McShake—into EVA units. The set is priced at 3,900 yen (about $24) and requires a lottery registration via the McDonald&#8217;s Japan app, running until Jan. 10.
Winners will be notified on Jan. 16, with collection available from Jan. 20 to 26.&nbsp;
Why It Matters: McDonald&#8217;s Japan is renowned for its anime-themed promotions. Considering Evangelion, which debuted nearly 30 years ago, remains a cultural phenomenon, this latest venture has captured massive attention.
Previously, Guillaume Huin, senior marketing director at McDonald's U.S., said on X that he was eagerly attempting to get his hands on a set.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">man I am trying to help myself already. Literally emailed the entire company to try to get a set.
&mdash; Guillaume Huin (@HuinGuillaume) <a href="https://twitter.com/HuinGuillaume/status/1869802393887748457?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Musk has previously also interacted with McDonald&#8217;s. He once famously <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/10/41148843/much-wow-how-elon-musk-went-from-promising-to-eat-a-happy-meal-if-mcdonalds-adopts-dogecoi">promised to eat a Happy Meal</a> on live television if the fast-food chain adopted Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>) as a payment method.
This <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/22/01/25206297/elon-musk-says-hell-eat-a-happy-meal-on-tv-if-mcdonalds-accepts-dogecoin-is-there-somethin">playful challenge</a> sparked significant interest within the Dogecoin community.
Rumors of a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/restaurants/24/10/41198120/elon-musk-vs-mcdonalds-tesla-fans-wanted-collaboration-instead-they-get-new-product-launch-co">potential collaboration</a> between McDonald&#8217;s and Tesla Inc. had circulated earlier in 2024, coinciding with the Robotaxi Day. However, these rumors did not materialize.
Price Action: McDonald&#8217;s stock has fallen 1.03% year-to-date, <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/lxquj26b2sag">according to Benzinga Pro data</a>. However, analyst reports from BofA Securities, Truist Securities, and BMO Capital have set an average price target of $333.67 for MCD, indicating a potential upside of 13.60%.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MCD/analyst-ratings"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/25210218/Screenshot-2024-12-26-at-7.32.09%E2%80%AFAM-1024x376.png" alt="" class="wp-image-706941" /></a></figure>
Image via Shutterstock
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/12/42642020/steve-ballmers-bold-investment-strategy-80-of-his-portfolio-is-in-microsoft-stock-heres-why-his-keep-it-simple-approach-is-winning-big?itm_source=parsely-api">Steve Ballmer&#8217;s Winning Investment Strategy: Billionaire Says &#8216;Keep It Simple&#8217; As His Microsoft Bet Pays Off Thanks To AI Boom</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

McDonald's Evangelion Collaboration Advert Catches Elon Musk's Eye. Here's What The Techno King Shared

Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bearish stance on McDonald's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCD#NYSE">MCD</a>).
And retail traders should know.
We noticed this today when the positions showed up on publicly available options history that we track here at Benzinga.
Whether these are institutions or just wealthy individuals, we don't know. But when something this big happens with MCD, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen.
Today, Benzinga's options scanner spotted 8 options trades for McDonald's.
This isn't normal.
The overall sentiment of these big-money traders is split between 37% bullish and 62%, bearish.
Out of all of the options we uncovered, there was 1 put, for a total amount of $42,340, and 7, calls, for a total amount of $774,629.
<h3>Projected Price Targets</h3>
Based on the trading activity, it appears that the significant investors are aiming for a price territory stretching from $265.0 to $320.0 for McDonald's over the recent three months. 
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Development</h3>
In today's trading context, the average open interest for options of McDonald's stands at 355.71, with a total volume reaching 1,917.00. The accompanying chart delineates the progression of both call and put option volume and open interest for high-value trades in McDonald's, situated within the strike price corridor from $265.0 to $320.0, throughout the last 30 days.
<h3>McDonald's Option Volume And Open Interest Over Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1735067723_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Noteworthy Options Activity:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>MCD</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$18.15</td>
<td>$16.9</td>
<td>$18.15</td>
<td>$310.00</td>
<td>$179.6K</td>
<td>161</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MCD</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$2.26</td>
<td>$2.12</td>
<td>$2.12</td>
<td>$320.00</td>
<td>$168.5K</td>
<td>1.1K</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MCD</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/10/25</td>
<td>$6.05</td>
<td>$6.0</td>
<td>$6.05</td>
<td>$290.00</td>
<td>$151.8K</td>
<td>504</td>
<td align="right">476</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MCD</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/03/25</td>
<td>$3.2</td>
<td>$3.1</td>
<td>$3.1</td>
<td>$292.50</td>
<td>$124.0K</td>
<td>64</td>
<td align="right">479</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MCD</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/10/25</td>
<td>$6.05</td>
<td>$6.0</td>
<td>$6.05</td>
<td>$290.00</td>
<td>$65.3K</td>
<td>504</td>
<td align="right">211</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About McDonald's</h3>
McDonald's is the largest restaurant owner-operator in the world, with 2023 system sales of $130 billion across nearly than 42,000 stores and 115 markets. McDonald's pioneered the franchise model, building its footprint through partnerships with independent restaurant franchisees and master franchise partners around the globe. The firm earns roughly 60% of its revenue from franchise royalty fees and lease payments, with most of the remainder coming from company-operated stores across its three core segments: the United States, internationally operated markets, and international developmental/licensed markets.
In light of the recent options history for McDonald's, it's now appropriate to focus on the company itself. We aim to explore its current performance.
<h3>Where Is McDonald's Standing Right Now?</h3>
<ul>
<li>Currently trading with a volume of 1,418,822, the MCD's price is up by 0.59%, now at $293.0. </li>
<li>RSI readings suggest the stock is currently is currently neutral between overbought and oversold.</li>
<li>Anticipated earnings release is in 41 days.</li>
</ul>
Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move
Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=Be8be9arja3be22bz20&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>.
Trading options involves greater risks but also offers the potential for higher profits. Savvy traders mitigate these risks through ongoing education, strategic trade adjustments, utilizing various indicators, and staying attuned to market dynamics. Keep up with the latest options trades for McDonald's with <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> for real-time alerts.

Options

Markets

Looking At McDonald's's Recent Unusual Options Activity

McDonald's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCD#NYSE">MCD</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 20 years by 3.36% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 11.59%. Currently, McDonald's has a market capitalization of $209.53 billion. 
Buying $100 In MCD: If an investor had bought $100 of MCD stock 20 years ago, it would be worth $904.32 today based on a price of $290.74 for MCD at the time of writing.
<h3>McDonald's's Performance Over Last 20 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1734624012_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Trading Ideas

Here's How Much You Would Have Made Owning McDonald's Stock In The Last 20 Years

This whale alert can help traders discover the next big trading opportunities.
Whales are entities with large sums of money and we track their transactions here at Benzinga on our options activity scanner.
Traders will search for circumstances when the market estimation of an option diverges heavily from its normal worth. High amounts of trading activity could push option prices to exaggerated or underestimated levels. 
Below are some instances of options activity happening in the Consumer Discretionary sector: 
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>TSLA</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>12/20/24</td>
<td>$460.00</td>
<td>$72.1K</td>
<td>7.2K</td>
<td>53.7K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>GME</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$125.00</td>
<td>$32.1K</td>
<td>75.0K</td>
<td>4.1K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>GLBE</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$55.00</td>
<td>$57.8K</td>
<td>4.0K</td>
<td>485</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>W</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$55.00</td>
<td>$126.8K</td>
<td>543</td>
<td>310</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AMZN</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$200.00</td>
<td>$86.5K</td>
<td>10.2K</td>
<td>180</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ADNT</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>12/19/25</td>
<td>$20.00</td>
<td>$27.8K</td>
<td>104</td>
<td>107</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SBUX</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/24/25</td>
<td>$95.00</td>
<td>$30.0K</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>101</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MCD</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$280.00</td>
<td>$32.1K</td>
<td>726</td>
<td>20</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TOL</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$140.00</td>
<td>$33.2K</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>16</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RH</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>12/27/24</td>
<td>$377.50</td>
<td>$37.1K</td>
<td>15</td>
<td>15</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h2>Explanation</h2>
These itemized elaborations have been created using the accompanying table. 
• For TSLA (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 4 day(s) on December 20, 2024. This event was a transfer of 51 contract(s) at a $460.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 4 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $72.1K, with a price of $1416.0 per contract. There were 7249 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 53747 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For GME (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GME#NYSE">GME</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 32 day(s) on January 17, 2025. This event was a transfer of 1000 contract(s) at a $125.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 48 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $32.1K, with a price of $32.0 per contract. There were 75014 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 4174 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For GLBE (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GLBE#NASDAQ">GLBE</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bearish, expiring in 32 day(s) on January 17, 2025. This event was a transfer of 170 contract(s) at a $55.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 36 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $57.8K, with a price of $340.0 per contract. There were 4035 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 485 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding W (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/W#NYSE">W</a>), we observe a put option trade with bearish sentiment. It expires in 396 day(s) on January 16, 2026. Parties traded 86 contract(s) at a $55.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $126.8K, with a price of $1475.0 per contract. There were 543 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 310 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding AMZN (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), we observe a call option trade with neutral sentiment. It expires in 186 day(s) on June 20, 2025. Parties traded 20 contract(s) at a $200.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $86.5K, with a price of $4329.0 per contract. There were 10226 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 180 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For ADNT (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ADNT#NYSE">ADNT</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be bearish, expiring in 368 day(s) on December 19, 2025. This event was a transfer of 96 contract(s) at a $20.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $27.8K, with a price of $290.0 per contract. There were 104 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 107 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding SBUX (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SBUX#NASDAQ">SBUX</a>), we observe a call option trade with bearish sentiment. It expires in 39 day(s) on January 24, 2025. Parties traded 100 contract(s) at a $95.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $30.0K, with a price of $300.0 per contract. There were 1 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 101 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding MCD (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCD#NYSE">MCD</a>), we observe a call option trade with bullish sentiment. It expires in 186 day(s) on June 20, 2025. Parties traded 10 contract(s) at a $280.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $32.1K, with a price of $3211.0 per contract. There were 726 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 20 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding TOL (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TOL#NYSE">TOL</a>), we observe a put option trade with bullish sentiment. It expires in 396 day(s) on January 16, 2026. Parties traded 16 contract(s) at a $140.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $33.2K, with a price of $2080.0 per contract. There were 25 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 16 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding RH (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RH#NYSE">RH</a>), we observe a call option trade with neutral sentiment. It expires in 11 day(s) on December 27, 2024. Parties traded 8 contract(s) at a $377.50 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $37.1K, with a price of $4645.0 per contract. There were 15 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 15 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
Options Alert Terminology 
 - Call Contracts: The right to buy shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Put Contracts: The right to sell shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Expiration Date: When the contract expires. One must act on the contract by this date if one wants to use it. 
 - Premium/Option Price: The price of the contract. 
For more information, visit our <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/blog/how-to-understand-option-alerts/">Guide to Understanding Options Alerts</a> or read <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/options">more about unusual options activity</a>. 
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

ADNT

AMZN

GLBE

SBUX

TSLA

10 Consumer Discretionary Stocks With Whale Alerts In Today's Session

McDonald's's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCD#NYSE">MCD</a>) short percent of float has risen 11.2% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 9.97 million shares sold short, which is 1.39% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 3.42 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>McDonald's Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1734096612_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for McDonald's has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing McDonald's's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, McDonald's's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 9.44%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Short Sellers

Short Ideas

(MCD) - Analyzing McDonald's's Short Interest

Luigi Mangione, who is being charged with the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/24/12/42316904/unitedhealthcare-ceo-brian-thompson-fatally-shot-outside-nyc-hotel">Dec. 4 murder</a> of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, apparently kept a diary of sorts.
Law enforcement officials who <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/24/12/42398524/person-of-interest-named-in-unitedhealthcare-ceos-murder-ghost-gun-found">arrested Mangioni in Pennsylvania</a> on Monday found not only a ghost gun and false IDs, they also discovered a handwritten note and a spiral notebook detailing his plans and a militantly expressed motive for Thompson&#8217;s shooting, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/11/nyregion/luigi-mangione-assassination-plan-notebook.html?campaign_id=190&amp;emc=edit_ufn_20241211&amp;instance_id=141940&amp;nl=from-the-times&amp;regi_id=136109156&amp;segment_id=185442&amp;user_id=e415429009fa21c5b8b4141c24d72bca">reported</a> the New York Times Wednesday, citing local police officials. 
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">For Starters, Kill A CEO</h2>
"What do you do? You wack the C.E.O. at the annual parasitic bean-counter convention. It's targeted, precise and doesn't risk innocents," was one passage in the notebook, officials said. 
Thompson was shot and killed outside a UnitedHealth Group Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>) investor day event. UnitedHealthcare is the insurance unit of UnitedHealth Group. 
After Mangione was arrested after being <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/restaurants/24/12/42427146/pennsylvania-mcdonalds-where-unitedhealthcare-ceo-murder-suspect-arrested-gets-review-bombed-more-like-narc-donalds">recognized by customers and employees</a> at a McDonalds (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCD#NASDAQ">MCD</a>) in Altoona, Pennsylvania, authorities found a 262-word handwritten note, which seemed to be construed as taking responsibility for shooting Thompson on a midtown Manhattan street.
According to a New York Police Department internal report, which referred to Mangione&#8217;s note as a manifesto, the 26-year-old suspect viewed Thompson's murder as a "symbolic takedown," per the NY Times. The NYPD opined that Mangione "likely views himself as a hero of sorts who has finally decided to act upon such injustices" and expressed concern that others might see him as a "martyr and an example to follow."
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Fingerprints Match Up</h2>
Local<a href="https://ktvl.com/news/nation-world/luigi-mangiones-fingerprints-match-prints-found-at-the-scene-of-unitedhealthcare-ceo-brian-thompson-killing-law-enforcement-sources-midtown-manhattan-altoona-pennsylvania-mcdonalds-arrest-health-insurance-motive-forensic-evidence"> Pennsylvania news outlets</a> also reported on Wednesday that Mangioni's fingerprints have been positively matched to those found at the New York City shooting. The fingerprints match those found on a water bottle and candy bar wrapper recovered near the crime scene, the New York Post <a href="https://nypost.com/2024/12/11/us-news/luigi-mangione-in-custody-12-11-2024/">reported</a>, citing a law enforcement official. 
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lawyer Says No To Extradition</h2>
Mangione's lawyer, Thomas Dickey, denies his client's involvement in the New York murder, noted CNN, and says Mangione will likely plead not guilty to the murder charge, among other counts. Mangione also plans to plead not guilty to Pennsylvania charges related to the gun and fake ID police found on him, Dickey said.
Read Now:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42435528/google-removes-negative-reviews-targeting-altoona-mcdonalds-after-arrest-of-suspected-unitedhealthcare-ceo-shooter-tip">Google Removes Negative Reviews Targeting Altoona McDonald&#8217;s After Arrest Of Suspected UnitedHealthcare CEO Shooter Tip</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy of Pennsylvania State Police.

Legal

'Wack The CEO,' United Health Care Murder Suspect Luigi Mangione Says In Papers Found By Police

Google by Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) has taken action to remove a series of negative reviews targeting a McDonald&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCD#NASDAQ">MCD</a>) location in Altoona, Pennsylvania. This move comes in the wake of the arrest of&nbsp;Luigi Mangione, who is accused of murdering&nbsp;UnitedHealthcare&nbsp;CEO Brian Thompson. The arrest was made possible by a tip from a McDonald&#8217;s employee.
What Happened: The McDonald&#8217;s outlet faced a surge of negative reviews after Mangione&#8217;s arrest. These reviews often criticized the restaurant for using terms related to the healthcare industry and derogatory slang for informants, Reuters reported on Tuesday.
Examples include phrases like &#8220;rats in the kitchen&#8221; and &#8220;Narc-donalds,&#8221; as noted by CBS News. Google responded by removing reviews that breached its guidelines, which require authenticity. Despite the influx&nbsp;of one-star reviews, the restaurant&nbsp;maintains a 3.6-star rating from 1,890 reviews.
&#8220;These reviews violate our policies and have been removed,&#8221; a Google spokesperson told Reuters in an emailed statement.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/24/12/42407739/trump-announces-plans-to-have-dinner-with-amazon-founder-jeff-bezos-as-billionaire-rivals-turn-unexpected-allies-after-years-of-clashes?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump Announces Plans To Have Dinner With Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos As Billionaire Rivals Turn Unexpected&nbsp;Allies After Years Of Clashes</a>
The murder of Thompson has ignited significant online discourse, with many sharing grievances about UnitedHealthcare, known for having&nbsp;the highest claim denial rate&nbsp;in the U.S., according to Value Penguin. Healthcare remains a divisive topic in the U.S., with a Gallup poll revealing that while 65% of Americans rate their own coverage positively, only 28% feel the same about the national healthcare system.
Why It Matters: The incident at the Pennsylvania McDonald&#8217;s, where Mangione was apprehended, has drawn considerable attention.&nbsp;Reports&nbsp;indicate that Mangione was <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/restaurants/24/12/42427146/pennsylvania-mcdonalds-where-unitedhealthcare-ceo-murder-suspect-arrested-gets-review-bombed-more-like-narc-donalds">recognized by customers and employees</a> from surveillance images released by New York City police, leading to his arrest. This has sparked a backlash from some who disapprove of the police involvement.
Meanwhile, Mangione is resisting extradition to New York, where the crime took place. During a court appearance, he expressed his <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/24/12/42423214/luigi-mangione-fights-extradition-to-new-york-on-murder-charge-shouts-at-press-outside-courthouse">intention to fight extradition</a>. The case continues to unfold, with significant public interest due to the high-profile nature of the crime and the involvement of a major corporation.
Read Next:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42399235/bitcoin-ethereum-dogecoin-turn-red-timeline-got-bearish-trader-notes?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Turn Red: &#8216;Timeline Got Bearish,&#8217; Trader Notes</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image via Shutterstock

General

GOOG

GOOGL

Google Removes Negative Reviews Targeting Altoona McDonald's After Arrest Of Suspected UnitedHealthcare CEO Shooter Tip

A McDonald's Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCD#NYSE">MCD</a>) restaurant in Pennsylvania became the location of a police arrest for the suspect now <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/24/12/42423214/luigi-mangione-fights-extradition-to-new-york-on-murder-charge-shouts-at-press-outside-courthouse">charged with the murder</a> of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
The arrest, which came from customers and employees recognizing suspect Luigi Mangione from surveillance photos released by New York City police, has some people upset that police were called.
What Happened: Mangione has been charged with the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/24/12/42316904/unitedhealthcare-ceo-brian-thompson-fatally-shot-outside-nyc-hotel">death of Thompson, </a>the CEO Of UnitedHealthcare, a unit of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>).
His arrest came after a McDonald's employee called police as patrons recognized the suspect, which led to his arrest.
With a potential motive for the murder of Thompson being related to the high cost of insurance premiums and high rate of insurance claim denials, the insurance sector is seeing an increased spotlight that has also made some sympathetic to whoever completed the murder.
Some who were upset with the handling of Mangione being arrested at the McDonald's used the power of the internet and social media reviews to take down the Pennsylvania restaurant location.
A large amount of one-star reviews began popping up on Google for the Pennsylvania McDonald's, as <a href="https://nypost.com/2024/12/10/business/google-removes-bad-mcdonalds-reviews-after-worker-reports-luigi-mangione/?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=nypost_business&amp;utm_source=twitter">reported </a>by the New York Post. Google, which is a unit of Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>)(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) removed one-star reviews.
"These reviews violate our policies and are being removed," a Google spokesperson told The New York Post.
While many of the one-star reviews, which are part of a process known as "review bombing" had been removed, the news outlet found several still remained.
"More like Narc-donalds…I hope obesity and heart disease are in-network in PA," one review said.
Review company Yelp Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YELP#NYSE">YELP</a>) also saw a rush of new reviews on the Pennsylvania McDonald's and put a warning on the location's page that said "Unusual Activity Alert."
Here are some of the <a href="https://www.yelp.com/biz/mcdonalds-altoona?start=90">reviews </a>left on Yelp for the McDonald's location:
<ul>
<li>"Avoid this McDonald's location, they're out of your network. The food will send you to an early grave and no health insurance will cover that — they're in the business of denials."</li>
<li>"Major rat problem in this most anti-American establishment. Never going to eat here again."</li>
<li>"The staff was rude and they called the police on my friend Luigi. There were rats everywhere."</li>
<li>"One of the employees told me because I'm poor I don't deserve healthcare."</li>
<li>"Horrible service and the patrons today were McSnitches. Home they McStitches and their insurance doesn't pay for it."</li>
</ul>
Read Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/10/41505903/mcdonalds-where-trump-worked-review-bombed-on-yelp-fries-too-salty-as-if-someone-who-lost-a"> McDonald&#8217;s Where Trump Worked Review-Bombed On Yelp: &#8216;Fries Too Salty As If Someone Who Lost A Major Election Had Been Crying Over Them&#8217;</a>
Why It's Important: The Pennsylvania McDonald's had private security at the location Tuesday as it saw an increased influx of customers and media. &nbsp;
Regulars at the location thought Mangione looked familiar and their conversation heard by an employee prompted the employee to call police.
"A guy came in the door, and I didn't really look at him, I thought everyone was kidding around. The one guy said, ‘That looks like the shooter from New York,'" a witness named Larry <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/luigi-mangione-altoona-mcdonalds-witness/">told </a>CBS News.
The employee recognized Mangione while taking his order, according to the report.
McDonald's workers have said they are worried about their safety after Mangione's arrest. The Altoona Police Department, which arrested Mangione, has also received death threats, according to the report.
The sympathy that has shifted towards Mangione since his arrest comes with his social media accounts on Instagram and Facebook, which are owned by Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>)<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/24/12/42406434/meta-and-youtube-remove-accounts-of-luigi-mangione-but-x-reinstates-profile-elon-musk-says-happened-without-my-knowledge"> being shut down</a>. YouTube also deleted several channels linked to Mangione.
An account <a href="https://x.com/PepMangione">linked </a>to Mangione on X, a social media platform owned by Elon Musk, was shut down before being reinstated as Musk said he was "looking into it."
Mangione's account on X went from having under 1,000 followers to more than 300,000 at the time of writing. The last post made by Mangione was a retweet in June 2024 with his last original post made on May 14, 2024.
The May 14, 2024 post, now having millions of impressions, was centered on cellular agriculture and mentioned the company Agronomics Ltd. (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AGNMF#OTC">AGNMF</a>), a penny stock that has seen a sizable boost to its share price this week.
The X account for Mangione was unverified on Monday, but is now verified Tuesday with users questioning who paid for or approved of the blue check and asking if the suspect will receive revenue similar to other accounts on the platform. 
A meme coin called Luigi was also launched and saw sizable action on Monday and Tuesday.
Users have also flocked to the GoodReads account reportedly belonging to Mangione. The profile features a reading history of books on back pain and a four-star review of the manifesto of Ted Kaczynski, also known as the Unabomber.
GoodReads, which is owned by Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) could end up a potential winner in the increased traffic related to Mangione on the site.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/24/12/42418763/unitedhealthcare-ceo-murder-suspect-chronic-pain-unabomber-fascination-isolation-details-emerge">UnitedHealthcare CEO Murder Suspect: Chronic Pain, Unabomber Fascination, Isolation Details Emerge</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Media

Insurance

AGNMF

YELP

Pennsylvania McDonald's Where UnitedHealthcare CEO Murder Suspect Arrested Gets Review Bombed: 'More Like Narc-Donalds'

Editor&#8217;s Note: This story has been updated with additional information.
Cava Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CAVA#NYSE">CAVA</a>) has quickly emerged as a formidable player in the restaurant industry, with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/content/42012024/can-cava-stock-be-the-next-chipotle-earnings-can-help">some speculating</a> it could rival the success of Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMG#NYSE">CMG</a>).
But what's behind this surge, and does Kevin Miles&#8217; legacy at Zoës Kitchen hold the key to its future success?
The Cava Explosion: The Mediterranean fast-casual brand has been making headlines with its explosive stock performance and investor interest.
Since its public debut in June 2023, Cava's market capitalization has skyrocketed to over $17 billion, more than five times its initial valuation.
Its stock has surged by 268.24% year-to-date, significantly outperforming the Nasdaq 100 index's 29.5% gain during the same period.
Last month, in the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/restaurants/24/11/41921564/cava-group-stock-rallies-on-better-than-expected-q3-results-details">third-quarter results</a>, Cava posted earnings of 15 cents per share, surpassing analyst estimates of 11 cents. It also reported sales of $243.82 million, exceeding expectations of $233.59 million.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/insights/options/24/11/42073288/chipotle-mexican-grills-options-a-look-at-what-the-big-money-is-thinking">Chipotle Mexican Grill&#8217;s Options: A Look at What the Big Money is Thinking</a>
These strong results align with Cava's expansion plans, as the company continues to open new locations, expanding its footprint across the U.S.
As it grows, the question on investors' minds is whether Cava can sustain this momentum and eventually challenge the dominance of Chipotle Mexican Grill.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CAVA/analyst-ratings"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/06064413/Screenshot-2024-12-06-at-5.14.08%E2%80%AFPM-1024x373.png" alt="" class="wp-image-680423" /></a></figure>
The fast-casual dining sector has demonstrated significant profitability, as seen in Chipotle&#8217;s impressive 700% stock growth over the last decade.
Chipotle shares have risen by 45.26% year-to-date, <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/?gspk=YWRhbWVja2VydDUzMzY&amp;gsxid=zBMR4PKmcgBw">according to Benzinga Pro</a>. It currently has a market cap of $88.86 billion.
Like Chipotle, Cava uses an efficient operational model, focusing on customizable, fresh meals in an assembly-line format.
Additionally, while competitors like McDonald&#8217;s Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCD#NYSE">MCD</a>) have raised <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/05/29/mcdonalds-cost-increases.html">prices</a> significantly, Cava has kept its price hikes minimal, planning only a 3% increase for 2024.
The Kevin Miles Legacy: Miles spearheaded Zoës Kitchen from 2012 through 2018, until it was acquired by Cava.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/sec/insider-trades/0001602831/kevin-miles">Miles rose through the ranks</a> at Zoës Kitchen &#8211; he was with the company for nearly a decade. While he joined it as executive vice president of operations in 2009, Miles&#8217; went on to head the company within three years.
As its CEO from 2012 to 2018, Miles expanded Zoës Kitchen&#8217;s footprint from 21 locations across seven states with $24 million in revenue to 268 locations generating $340 million a year.
However, in 2018, Zoës Kitchen was acquired by Cava, and Miles left the company.
The acquisition added over 250 locations to Cava's portfolio, expanding its footprint across the U.S., particularly in suburban markets where Zoës had established a presence.
The integration, however, was not without challenges. Cava's startup mentality clashed with Zoës' struggling financial state and low employee morale. Despite these cultural hurdles, Cava's CEO Brett Schulman previously <a href="https://fortune.com/2024/09/30/cava-food-ceo-merger-culture-acquisition/">described</a> the process as "painful" but transformative.
By converting many Zoës locations into Cava-branded restaurants, the company streamlined operations and capitalized on existing customer bases, while phasing out underperforming locations.
Over time, this strategy contributed to revenue improvements and bolstered investor confidence, particularly following Cava's IPO in 2023.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42306998/zuckerberg-seeks-active-role-in-trumps-tech-policies-says-metas-president-of-global-affairs-while-admitting-they-overdid-it-a-bit-during-pandemic-content-crackdown?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Zuckerberg Seeks ‘Active Role' In Trump's Tech Policies, Says Top Executive — Admits Meta ‘Overdid It' During Pandemic Content Crackdown</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Cava

Equities

CAVA

This Mediterranean Restaurant Chain Acquired Kevin Miles-Led Zoës Kitchen In 2018. It Is Now Rising Fast As A Chipotle Killer: What's Making It Tick? (Updated)

Bitcoin's (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) surge past $100,000 on Thursday coincided with McDonald's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCD#NYSE">MCD</a>) reintroduction of its fan-favorite McRib sandwich, reviving a pattern observed <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/bitcoin-price-prediction">in previous years</a>.
What Happened: According to crypto analyst internbrah, Bitcoin has historically doubled in price following the McRib's return.
In a tweet accompanied by a chart, internbrah <a href="https://x.com/internbrah/status/1864051568972362012">stated</a>, "The McRib is back. BTC historically goes up &gt;2x after the McRib returns. Don't fade the McRib."
The chart he attached illustrates a compelling correlation: Bitcoin experienced significant price rallies in 2020, 2021, and now in 2024, aligning with the sandwich's reappearances on McDonald's menus. 
This year, Bitcoin peaked at $103,679 before settling at $102,650 level, reflecting a 6.3% increase over the last 24 hours.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42338347/bitcoin-to-emerge-as-premier-store-of-value-asset-hit-1-million-by-2033-says-bernstein">Bitcoin To Emerge As &#8216;Premier Store Of Value Asset,&#8217; Hit $1 Million By 2033, Says Bernstein</a>
Guillaume Huin, McDonald's Senior Marketing Director, joined the playful conversation on social media, <a href="https://x.com/HuinGuillaume/status/1864506238874112434">tweeting</a>, "Bitcoin reaching 100K the exact day McRib is back is f&#8212;ing hilarious."
The coincidental timing has sparked amusement and speculation across both crypto and fast-food communities.
McDonald's McRib returned to U.S. menus on Dec. 3, making its first nationwide comeback since 2022.
The 520-calorie sandwich, featuring seasoned pork drenched in tangy BBQ sauce and topped with onions and pickles, has a long history of limited-time releases. 
Despite a 2022 "farewell tour," the McRib's surprise reappearance coincided with Bitcoin breaking <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42339670/youre-welcomedonald-trump-congratulates-bitcoins-100000-milestone-as-el-salvadors-president-nayib-bukele-takes-victory-lap">new price milestones.</a>
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="EXCLUSIVE: Bitcoin Crossing $100,000 Is A 'Defining Moment,' Experts Say">EXCLUSIVE: Bitcoin Crossing $100,000 Is A &#8216;Defining Moment,&#8217; Experts Say</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Coverage of Bitcoin, Etherum, Ripple and all the latest digital currencies.

Cryptocurrency

$BTC

Bitcoin Breaks $100,000 As McDonald's Brings Back The McRib: Buy Signal Or Spurious Correlation?

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier faces a critical vote of no confidence tomorrow (Dec. 4) after invoking Article 49.3 to pass a controversial 2025 austerity budget <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/france">without parliamentary approval</a>.
The move, designed to address France's soaring deficit with $42 billion in spending cuts and $21 billion in tax hikes, has polarized the fractured National Assembly. Marine Le Pen's National Rally and the leftist New Popular Front have united in opposition, calling for Barnier's ouster. In on interview on TV today, Barnier warned that if the motion succeeds, millions of French citizens could face economic instability, including rising interest rates and tax hikes, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/dec/03/france-no-confidence-motion-government-budget-michel-barnier-latest-updates">per</a> the Guardian.
A failure to secure support would result in Barnier's government being the shortest-lived in modern French history, he only took office in September, further destabilizing the eurozone. President Emmanuel Macron would then need to appoint a new prime minister to navigate the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39657677/french-elections-take-a-surprising-turn-as-left-poised-for-victory-what-does-that-mean-for-the-marke">deeply divided parliament</a>.
France has often been a volatile market for foreign companies, but its size, manpower, favorable geographical position, and pole position in global tourism have made it a lucrative economy.
The following publicly listed companies have exposure to the French economy.
McDonald's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCD#NYSE">MCD</a>) has been operating in France since 1972. Since then, it has grown into a network of 1,485 restaurants — the most in Europe — generating billions in revenue. However, the franchise got caught evading taxes after a trade union asked the company to raise wages and introduce profit-sharing bonuses. Eventually, the firm <a href="https://drupal-cloudfront.benzinga.com/news/22/06/27724606/mcdonalds-agrees-to-settle-french-tax-case-for-1-3b-wsj">paid a $1.3 billion fine</a>.
Walt Disney Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIS#NYSE">DIS</a>) opened its resort in Paris in 1992, growing it into one of the top attractions in Europe. Around 16.1 million tourists visited the park in 2023, generating $343 million in profits. The park is the largest single-site employer in the country, with 17,000 workers — making it prone to strikes that last occurred in 2023. Despite its popularity, the park has been a problematic part of Disney's portfolio and is often a drain on its resources.
IBM (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBM#NYSE">IBM</a>) has a long-standing relationship with France as one of the IT pioneers that expanded overseas seeking foreign talent.  Nowadays, IBM has over 7,000 employees in the country, working on technology services, cloud computing, AI and digital transformation solutions for businesses.
Carmaker Stellantis NV (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/STLA#NYSE">STLA</a>) has a vital presence in the country, owing to its origins in the French PSA Group. It is the fourth largest automotive firm by sales, managing established brands like Citroen, Peugeot and DS Automobiles. Stellantis currently has five operating factories in different regions, producing at least 14 different models.
For investors monitoring broad exposure to domestically incorporated French companies there is iShares MSCI France ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EWQ#NYSE">EWQ</a>). It holds 60 largest French companies, including market leaders such as LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LVMUY#OTC">LVMUY</a>), Schneider Electric, TotalEnergies SE (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TTE#NYSE">TTE</a>) and Airbus SE (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EADSY#OTC">EADSY</a>).
Read Next:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/12/42301885/south-korea-etfs-won-pare-losses-as-yoon-makes-u-turn-on-martial-law-declaration"> </a> • <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/12/42301885/south-korea-etfs-won-pare-losses-as-yoon-makes-u-turn-on-martial-law-declaration">South Korea ETFs, Won Pare Losses As Yoon Makes U-Turn On Martial Law Declaration</a>

Photo: Shutterstock

Government

Large Cap

Eurozone

Politics

Global

European Aeronautic Defence And Space Unsponsored

EADSY

LVMUY

STLA

Key Stocks, ETF To Watch As French Government Faces No-Confidence Vote

Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bearish stance on McDonald's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCD#NYSE">MCD</a>).
And retail traders should know.
We noticed this today when the trades showed up on publicly available options history that we track here at Benzinga.
Whether these are institutions or just wealthy individuals, we don't know. But when something this big happens with MCD, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen.
So how do we know what these investors just did? 
Today, <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/?utm_source=insights">Benzinga</a>'s options scanner spotted 19 uncommon options trades for McDonald's.
This isn't normal.
The overall sentiment of these big-money traders is split between 15% bullish and 47%, bearish.
Out of all of the special options we uncovered, 3 are puts, for a total amount of $132,091, and 16 are calls, for a total amount of $817,062.
<h3>Projected Price Targets</h3>
Based on the trading activity, it appears that the significant investors are aiming for a price territory stretching from $250.0 to $340.0 for McDonald's over the recent three months. 
<h3>Insights into Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
Examining the volume and open interest provides crucial insights into stock research. This information is key in gauging liquidity and interest levels for McDonald's's options at certain strike prices. Below, we present a snapshot of the trends in volume and open interest for calls and puts across McDonald's's significant trades, within a strike price range of $250.0 to $340.0, over the past month.
<h3>McDonald's 30-Day Option Volume &amp; Interest Snapshot</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1733253384_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Largest Options Trades Observed:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>MCD</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>12/18/26</td>
<td>$42.5</td>
<td>$41.4</td>
<td>$41.98</td>
<td>$285.00</td>
<td>$134.3K</td>
<td>91</td>
<td align="right">60</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MCD</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>12/18/26</td>
<td>$42.25</td>
<td>$41.6</td>
<td>$42.14</td>
<td>$285.00</td>
<td>$96.9K</td>
<td>91</td>
<td align="right">137</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MCD</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>12/18/26</td>
<td>$43.0</td>
<td>$41.0</td>
<td>$42.0</td>
<td>$285.00</td>
<td>$79.7K</td>
<td>91</td>
<td align="right">19</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MCD</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>12/18/26</td>
<td>$42.1</td>
<td>$41.65</td>
<td>$41.88</td>
<td>$285.00</td>
<td>$75.3K</td>
<td>91</td>
<td align="right">100</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MCD</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>12/20/24</td>
<td>$2.51</td>
<td>$2.5</td>
<td>$2.51</td>
<td>$290.00</td>
<td>$66.7K</td>
<td>1.4K</td>
<td align="right">310</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About McDonald's</h3>
McDonald's is the largest restaurant owner-operator in the world, with 2023 system sales of $130 billion across nearly than 42,000 stores and 115 markets. McDonald's pioneered the franchise model, building its footprint through partnerships with independent restaurant franchisees and master franchise partners around the globe. The firm earns roughly 60% of its revenue from franchise royalty fees and lease payments, with most of the remainder coming from company-operated stores across its three core segments: the United States, internationally operated markets, and international developmental/licensed markets.
<h3>Present Market Standing of McDonald's</h3>
<ul>
<li>Currently trading with a volume of 1,571,874, the MCD's price is down by -0.01%, now at $292.4. </li>
<li>RSI readings suggest the stock is currently is currently neutral between overbought and oversold.</li>
<li>Anticipated earnings release is in 62 days.</li>
</ul>
Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?
20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>.
Options trading presents higher risks and potential rewards. Astute traders manage these risks by continually educating themselves, adapting their strategies, monitoring multiple indicators, and keeping a close eye on market movements. Stay informed about the latest McDonald's options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>.

McDonald's's Options Frenzy: What You Need to Know

<a href="https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-e-coli-o157h7-onions-october-2024" title="https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-e-coli-o157h7-onions-october-2024">https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-e-coli-o157h7-onions-october-2024</a>

Regulations

FDA's Completes Investigation On McDonalds; CDC Declared E. Coli. Outbreak Over.

This whale alert can help traders discover the next big trading opportunities.
Whales are entities with large sums of money and we track their transactions here at Benzinga on our options activity scanner.
Traders will search for circumstances when the market estimation of an option diverges heavily from its normal worth. High amounts of trading activity could push option prices to exaggerated or underestimated levels. 
Below are some instances of options activity happening in the Consumer Discretionary sector: 
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>TSLA</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>11/29/24</td>
<td>$330.00</td>
<td>$41.2K</td>
<td>12.1K</td>
<td>94.2K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AMZN</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>12/20/24</td>
<td>$200.00</td>
<td>$49.7K</td>
<td>26.5K</td>
<td>3.6K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CVNA</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>11/29/24</td>
<td>$257.50</td>
<td>$29.7K</td>
<td>264</td>
<td>1.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MCD</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$290.00</td>
<td>$83.0K</td>
<td>1.5K</td>
<td>701</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PDD</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>12/20/24</td>
<td>$114.00</td>
<td>$48.8K</td>
<td>227</td>
<td>203</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BKNG</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$4750.00</td>
<td>$63.9K</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h2>Explanation</h2>
These bullet-by-bullet explanations have been constructed using the accompanying table. 
• For TSLA (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>), we notice a put option sweep that happens to be bearish, expiring in 1 day(s) on November 29, 2024. This event was a transfer of 200 contract(s) at a $330.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 4 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $41.2K, with a price of $206.0 per contract. There were 12190 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 94278 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding AMZN (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 22 day(s) on December 20, 2024. Parties traded 51 contract(s) at a $200.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 6 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $49.7K, with a price of $976.0 per contract. There were 26529 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 3617 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For CVNA (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVNA#NYSE">CVNA</a>), we notice a put option sweep that happens to be bearish, expiring in 1 day(s) on November 29, 2024. This event was a transfer of 85 contract(s) at a $257.50 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 16 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $29.7K, with a price of $350.0 per contract. There were 264 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1079 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding MCD (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCD#NYSE">MCD</a>), we observe a put option trade with bullish sentiment. It expires in 50 day(s) on January 17, 2025. Parties traded 191 contract(s) at a $290.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $83.0K, with a price of $435.0 per contract. There were 1518 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 701 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For PDD (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PDD#NASDAQ">PDD</a>), we notice a put option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 22 day(s) on December 20, 2024. This event was a transfer of 32 contract(s) at a $114.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 21 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $48.8K, with a price of $1525.0 per contract. There were 227 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 203 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For BKNG (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BKNG#NASDAQ">BKNG</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be neutral, expiring in 113 day(s) on March 21, 2025. This event was a transfer of 1 contract(s) at a $4750.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $63.9K, with a price of $63940.0 per contract. There were 11 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
Options Alert Terminology 
 - Call Contracts: The right to buy shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Put Contracts: The right to sell shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Expiration Date: When the contract expires. One must act on the contract by this date if one wants to use it. 
 - Premium/Option Price: The price of the contract. 
For more information, visit our <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/blog/how-to-understand-option-alerts/">Guide to Understanding Options Alerts</a> or read <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/options">more news on unusual options activity</a>. 
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

BKNG

CVNA

Citigourp Global Markets 2% Protected Notes Linked To The Djia

6 Consumer Discretionary Stocks With Whale Alerts In Today's Session

In the current session, the stock is trading at $296.37, after a 0.01% spike. Over the past month, McDonald's Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCD#NYSE">MCD</a>) stock increased by 1.66%, and in the past year, by 5.16%. With performance like this, long-term shareholders are optimistic but others are more likely to look into the price-to-earnings ratio to see if the stock might be overvalued.

<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1732735820_0.png" alt="Past Year Chart" />

<h3>A Look at McDonald's P/E Relative to Its Competitors</h3>
The P/E ratio measures the current share price to the company's EPS. It is used by long-term investors to analyze the company's current performance against it's past earnings, historical data and aggregate market data for the industry or the indices, such as S&amp;P 500. A higher P/E indicates that investors expect the company to perform better in the future, and the stock is probably overvalued, but not necessarily. It also could indicate that investors are willing to pay a higher share price currently, because they expect the company to perform better in the upcoming quarters. This leads investors to also remain optimistic about rising dividends in the future. 
McDonald's has a lower P/E than the aggregate P/E of 88.44 of the Hotels, Restaurants &amp; Leisure industry. Ideally, one might believe that the stock might perform worse than its peers, but it's also probable that the stock is undervalued. 

<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1732735820_1.png" alt="Guage" />

In conclusion, the price-to-earnings ratio is a useful metric for analyzing a company's market performance, but it has its limitations. While a lower P/E can indicate that a company is undervalued, it can also suggest that shareholders do not expect future growth. Additionally, the P/E ratio should not be used in isolation, as other factors such as industry trends and business cycles can also impact a company's stock price. Therefore, investors should use the P/E ratio in conjunction with other financial metrics and qualitative analysis to make informed investment decisions.

Intraday Update

Price Over Earnings Overview: McDonald's

Key Takeaways:
<ul>
<li>Starbucks is considering bringing in partners to its China operation, as same-store sales in its second-largest market plunge during a bloody local coffee price war</li>
<li>The coffee giant has faced multiple challenges in China, from severe restrictions during the pandemic to growing consumer caution and fierce competition.</li>
</ul>
By Xiao Lin
In rocky waters, you often need more than one paddle to steady your boat. That seems to be the case for&nbsp;Starbucks Corp.&nbsp;(NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/sbux#NASDAQ">SBUX</a>), as the world&rsquo;s largest coffee chain explores potential partnerships in China, its second largest market after only the U.S.
In a statement to the media, the Seattle-based firm said it is working to find the best path back to growth in China, which includes exploring strategic partnerships &mdash; moves aimed at navigating increasing challenges in a country that was once its fastest growing market. Such partnerships, often with local companies, were initially the norm for most restaurant operators when they started to enter the unfamiliar Chinese market in the 1990s.
&ldquo;We are fully committed to our business and partners, and to growing in China,&rdquo; Starbucks said in a statement to numerous media, after Bloomberg reported last Thursday the company had informally gauged interest from prospective investors, including local private equity firms. &ldquo;We are working to find the best path to growth, which includes exploring strategic partnerships.&rdquo;
In addition to global private equity, Starbucks might also consider a sale of part of its China operation to Chinese conglomerates or other local companies with experience in the industry, the Bloomberg report said.
Starbucks&rsquo; shares edged up slightly after its announcement last Thursday. The stock is roughly flat over the past 12 months, and still trades at an elevated price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 31 &ndash; ahead of a 25 for&nbsp;McDonald&rsquo;s&nbsp;(NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/mcd#NYSE">MCD</a>) and 21 for&nbsp;Yum China&nbsp;(NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/yumc#NYSE">YUMC</a>), operator of KFC and Pizza Hut restaurants in China.
When Starbucks opened its first store in Beijing in 1999, it found itself not only facing a more regulated environment than it was used to, but also the equally big challenge of selling to a tea-drinking culture where Nestl&eacute; instant coffee defined most people&rsquo;s understanding of its signature product. It formed a series of joint ventures with local partners to better find its way in the market, but later bought all of them out.
Fast forward to the present, where, with over 7,500 stores, the company is now grappling with more frugal consumers and intense competition from local rivals, prompting it to consider a return to partnerships to weather difficult times. Such partners not only offer more resources, but can also help spread the risk of owning such a large operation worth billions of dollars.
If Starbucks&rsquo; China U-turn sounds familiar, it&rsquo;s because it&rsquo;s not the first major foreign chain to change tack midway through its China story. In 2017, after nearly three decades in the country, McDonald&rsquo;s (MCD.N) sold a majority 52% stake in its China and Hong Kong operations to a consortium led by state-owned conglomerate Citic and American investment firm&nbsp;Carlyle&nbsp;(NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/cg#NYSE">CG</a>), after sales started declining and a food scandal dragged down its global sales.
<h3>Coffee Greenfield</h3>
When Starbucks opened its first store in Beijing&rsquo;s Guomao area 25 years ago, it did so through a joint venture with Beijing Mei Da Coffee Co. out of necessity, since wholly owned foreign restaurants weren&rsquo;t allowed at that time. The store offered cappuccinos for about 19 yuan, or $2.60, which was about 5% of the monthly average per capita income at that time. It later established two more joint ventures: one with Maxim&rsquo;s to run stores in Hong Kong and South China&rsquo;s Guangdong province, and another with Taiwan&rsquo;s Uni-President to run stores in Shanghai and nearby regions.
In late 2004, China started allowing foreign restaurant operators to wholly own their local businesses as part of its commitments after joining the World Trade Organization in 2001. Starbucks started acquiring stakes from its local partners, and by 2017 it obtained full control of its entire China operation.
Starbucks had nearly 3,000 stores across China by the end of that year and was opening a new store every 15 hours to serve an increasingly affluent and status-conscious middle class. Its revenue in the China and Asia Pacific region increased by 10% in 2017, following 23% growth the previous year.
Things went well for the next two years, with Starbucks&rsquo; net revenue in China increasing by 38% in 2018 and 19% in 2019, when the country officially became its second largest market. After a difficult year in 2020 when many of its stores were forced to close at the start of the pandemic, Starbucks came roaring back in China in 2021 with 42% revenue growth as the country was able to bring its Covid outbreaks under control.
But things have gotten tough over the last two years, both in China and worldwide. The company&rsquo;s global same-store sales declined 7% in its latest quarter through September, dragged down by a 14% decline in its China operation.
China contributed about 9% of Starbucks&rsquo; total revenues of $36.2 billion in the 12 months through September. In the company&rsquo;s latest earnings call, newly installed CEO Brian R. Niccol told investors he needed to spend more time in China to understand the challenges.
<h4>Struggling Sector</h4>
Starbucks and the catering sector certainly aren&rsquo;t the only ones in China facing difficulty, as a stream of regulatory crackdowns on various sectors over the last few years and a slowing economy that&rsquo;s hurting consumer sentiment take their toll on businesses across the board.
But the food and beverage industry has taken one of the harder hits, following an initial boom in dining out after China reopened in early 2023. More than 1 million restaurants reportedly closed in the first six months of 2024, according to media reports, citing business registry searches.
The coffee sector is taking a harder hit than many of its catering peers as the aggressive&nbsp;Luckin&nbsp;(OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/lkncy#OTC">LKNCY</a>) and&nbsp;Cotti Coffee&nbsp;engage in a price war by selling much of their premium coffee for just 9.9 yuan, or about $1.40, per cup. Others joining in the coffee war include Yum China with its KCOFFEE sold at its main KFC chain and in adjacent stores. Even e-commerce is getting involved with premium instant coffees like Saturnbird, which are primarily sold on platforms like Alibaba&rsquo;s Taobao at even lower prices.
While the average monthly income in China is now more than 50 times higher than in 1999, a cup of Starbucks cappuccino priced at about 30 yuan can still seem expensive to consumers when they can buy Luckin or Cotti for just a third of the cost. That reality is becoming increasingly clear as consumers become more frugal in the current economic climate.
This article is from an unpaid external contributor. It does not represent Benzinga's reporting and has not been edited for content or accuracy.

LKNCY

YUMC

Starbucks Looks For New Friends In Choppy China Coffee Waters

Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bullish stance on McDonald's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCD#NYSE">MCD</a>).
And retail traders should know.
We noticed this today when the trades showed up on publicly available options history that we track here at Benzinga.
Whether these are institutions or just wealthy individuals, we don't know. But when something this big happens with MCD, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen.
So how do we know what these investors just did? 
Today, <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/?utm_source=insights">Benzinga</a>'s options scanner spotted 14 uncommon options trades for McDonald's.
This isn't normal.
The overall sentiment of these big-money traders is split between 42% bullish and 42%, bearish.
Out of all of the special options we uncovered, 4 are puts, for a total amount of $248,892, and 10 are calls, for a total amount of $742,365.
<h3>Projected Price Targets</h3>
After evaluating the trading volumes and Open Interest, it's evident that the major market movers are focusing on a price band between $220.0 and $320.0 for McDonald's, spanning the last three months.
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Development</h3>
In today's trading context, the average open interest for options of McDonald's stands at 1563.0, with a total volume reaching 2,381.00. The accompanying chart delineates the progression of both call and put option volume and open interest for high-value trades in McDonald's, situated within the strike price corridor from $220.0 to $320.0, throughout the last 30 days.
<h3>McDonald's 30-Day Option Volume &amp; Interest Snapshot</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1732556721_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Biggest Options Spotted:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>MCD</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$3.4</td>
<td>$3.2</td>
<td>$3.4</td>
<td>$305.00</td>
<td>$221.0K</td>
<td>2.2K</td>
<td align="right">811</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MCD</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$5.45</td>
<td>$5.3</td>
<td>$5.3</td>
<td>$290.00</td>
<td>$159.0K</td>
<td>1.5K</td>
<td align="right">359</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MCD</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$28.0</td>
<td>$27.55</td>
<td>$28.0</td>
<td>$280.00</td>
<td>$70.0K</td>
<td>1.1K</td>
<td align="right">25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MCD</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$28.15</td>
<td>$27.5</td>
<td>$27.75</td>
<td>$280.00</td>
<td>$69.3K</td>
<td>1.1K</td>
<td align="right">125</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MCD</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$27.45</td>
<td>$27.35</td>
<td>$27.45</td>
<td>$280.00</td>
<td>$68.6K</td>
<td>1.1K</td>
<td align="right">150</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About McDonald's</h3>
McDonald's is the largest restaurant owner-operator in the world, with 2023 system sales of $130 billion across nearly than 42,000 stores and 115 markets. McDonald's pioneered the franchise model, building its footprint through partnerships with independent restaurant franchisees and master franchise partners around the globe. The firm earns roughly 60% of its revenue from franchise royalty fees and lease payments, with most of the remainder coming from company-operated stores across its three core segments: the United States, internationally operated markets, and international developmental/licensed markets.
<h3>Present Market Standing of McDonald's</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a trading volume of 1,991,998, the price of MCD is up by 0.68%, reaching $292.25.</li>
<li>Current RSI values indicate that the stock is may be approaching overbought.</li>
<li>Next earnings report is scheduled for 70 days from now.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Expert Opinions on McDonald's</h3>
In the last month, 4 experts released ratings on this stock with an average target price of $325.25.
Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?
20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; An analyst from TD Cowen downgraded its action to Hold with a price target of $300. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from BMO Capital keeps a Outperform rating on McDonald's with a target price of $335. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Truist Securities persists with their Buy rating on McDonald's, maintaining a target price of $342. 
&#x2A; An analyst from B of A Securities has decided to maintain their Neutral rating on McDonald's, which currently sits at a price target of $324. 
Trading options involves greater risks but also offers the potential for higher profits. Savvy traders mitigate these risks through ongoing education, strategic trade adjustments, utilizing various indicators, and staying attuned to market dynamics. Keep up with the latest options trades for McDonald's with <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> for real-time alerts.

This Is What Whales Are Betting On McDonald's

Starbucks Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SBUX#NASDAQ">SBUX</a>) is evaluating options for its Chinese operations, including the potential sale of a stake in the business.
The coffee chain has consulted advisers on strategies to expand in China and has gauged interest from potential investors, including local private equity firms, Bloomberg cites familiar <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-11-21/starbucks-is-said-to-consider-selling-stake-in-chinese-business?sref=TBDibEcD" rel="noreferrer noopener">sources</a>. Possible buyers include Chinese conglomerates or regional companies with relevant industry expertise.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/11/42109965/baidus-q3-earnings-revenue-slides-weak-online-ads-market-impact-margins" rel="noreferrer noopener">Baidu&#8217;s Q3 Earnings: Revenue Slides, Weak Online Ads Market Impact Margins</a>
Starbucks is seeking strategic partnerships in China as it grapples with declining sales in the region. Once its fastest-growing market, China now faces economic headwinds, including a property slump, employment uncertainties, and slower consumer spending, SCMP <a target="_blank" href="https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3287574/starbucks-seeks-strategic-partnership-find-perk-china-amid-brewing-price-war?module=perpetual_scroll_0&amp;pgtype=article" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports</a>.
The company faces mounting pressure from activist investor Elliott Investment Management, which has urged a review of its Chinese business. Other Western brands have made similar moves, such as McDonald&#8217;s Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCD#NYSE">MCD</a>) and Yum! Brands Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YUM#NYSE">YUM</a>), which sold stakes in their Chinese operations to private equity investors to drive growth and adapt to local market demands.
China, Starbucks&#8217; second-largest market, generated approximately $3 billion in revenue last year, with the store count increasing by 12%. Despite this growth, Starbucks is contending with stiff competition from local rivals like Luckin Coffee Inc, which has rapidly gained market share with more affordable offerings.
Starbucks saw its same-store sales in China shrink by 14% in the fiscal fourth quarter ending September, surpassing its global sales decline of 9%.
Rising competition from cost-effective rivals such as Luckin Coffee and Cotti Coffee has further strained its position, as these companies attract budget-conscious consumers with significantly lower-priced offerings.
Brian Niccol, who became CEO in August 2024, acknowledged the challenges, citing an &#8220;extreme&#8221; competitive environment and macroeconomic pressures.
Starbucks&#8217; signature 27-yuan ($3.70) Americano is losing traction against Luckin Coffee&#8217;s brews, priced at 11.9 yuan, and Cotti Coffee&#8217;s offerings, which initially cost 9.9 yuan before a modest price hike to reduce cash burn.
Cotti Coffee, founded by two former Luckin executives in 2022, has rapidly expanded to 10,000 locations across 28 markets, creating intense competition in China&#8217;s coffee industry.
Meanwhile, Starbucks operated 7,596 stores in China as of September, accounting for 19% of its global footprint.
Starbucks is also contending with the growing popularity of fruit-infused teas and juices, which is increasing competition for consumer spending.
In October, TD Cowen analyst Andrew M. Charles <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/10/41661427/starbucks-faces-sales-slump-but-analysts-see-silver-lining-with-new-ceos-efficiency" rel="noreferrer noopener">reiterated a Buy rating</a> on Starbucks with a price target of $110, emphasizing its potential for over 5% same-store sales growth in North America but noted delays in menu innovation due to SKU simplification efforts.
Wedbush analyst Nick Setyan maintained a Neutral rating for Starbucks but reduced the price target to $95, citing limited near-term visibility on revenue and earnings. Setyan highlighted CEO Brian Niccol&#8217;s focus on reducing wait times to under four minutes while maintaining the coffeehouse experience as a critical improvement. The company plans to eliminate alternative dairy upcharges, impacting U.S. margins by 1%, and will reduce promotional offers, prioritizing marketing efforts and store remodels.
Price Action: SBUX stock is up 1.57% at $99.80 at last check on Thursday.
Also Read:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/price-target/24/11/42098028/qualcomms-shift-from-handsets-to-ai-and-automotive-wins-analysts-confidence" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Qualcomm&#8217;s Shift From Handsets To AI And Automotive Wins Analysts&#8217; Confidence</a></li>
</ul>
Photo via Shutterstock

Asset Sales

Starbucks Eyes Stake Sale in China Amid Fierce Competition and Falling Sales

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House, renowned economist Mohamed El-Erian is cautioning against media oversimplification of the incoming administration&#8217;s proposed tariff strategies.
What Happened: In a recent statement on X, El-Erian highlighted the intricate nature of Trump&#8217;s tariff discussions, noting that the proposed economic policies encompass at least three complex economic stages influenced by multiple factors, including trade flows, corporate pricing strategies, and geopolitical considerations.
El-Erian&#8217;s core message remains clear: Trump&#8217;s tariff debate requires sophisticated, nuanced analysis that transcends simplistic narratives. &#8220;The issue is quite complex,&#8221; he emphasized, underscoring the need for comprehensive economic understanding beyond headline rhetoric.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">It should come as no surprise that the media tends to oversimplify the U.S. tariff debate, with both sides of the argument contributing to this. The issue is quite complex, involving at least three economic stages, each with various possibilities given the influences in play. The…
&mdash; Mohamed A. El-Erian (@elerianm) <a href="https://twitter.com/elerianm/status/1859287383075848351?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Trump&#8217;s proposed economic blueprint, which includes a universal tariff of up to 20% on imports and potentially up to 60% on Chinese goods, has sparked intense economic debate. Tech investor Peter Thiel suggests these tariffs could significantly impact Chinese companies while causing minimal <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/11/42028954/peter-thiel-says-trumps-60-china-tariff-would-be-very-very-bad-for-beijing-heres-whats-at-stake">disruption to U.S. consumers</a>.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42102366/bitcoin-taps-95k-ethereum-dogecoin-flat-as-trumps-crypto-policy-takes-shape-top-analyst-describes-btcs-path-to-135k">Bitcoin Hits $95K For The First Time Ever, Ethereum, Dogecoin Flat As Trump&#8217;s Crypto Policy Takes Shape: Top Analyst Describes BTC&#8217;s Path To $135K</a>
Why It Matters: Goldman Sachs economist David Mericle warns that Trump&#8217;s proposed universal tariff could push <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/11/42042411/inflation-could-surge-to-3-if-trump-applies-universal-tariffs-goldman-sachs">inflation back to 3%</a>, potentially complicating Federal Reserve monetary strategies. 
The National Retail Federation estimates Trump&#8217;s tariff proposals could reduce annual consumer <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/11/41737933/trump-tariff-proposed-may-cost-americans-78b-in-spending-study">spending by $78 billion</a>.
Prominent business leaders have voiced concerns. Citadel LLC CEO Ken Griffin described Trump&#8217;s proposed tariffs as a &#8220;long, slippery slope&#8221; that <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/11/42056528/gop-megadonor-ken-griffin-warns-of-slippery-slope-in-trumps-tariff-policies-sees-us-returning-to-the-business-of-business">could hamper U.S. global competitiveness</a>. 
Retailers like AutoZone and Columbia Sportswear have signaled potential price increases that would be <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/11/41871407/trumps-tariffs-deportations-and-tax-cuts-may-push-prices-higher-experts-say-its-pretty-clear?utm_campaign=partner_feed&amp;utm_source=yahooFinance&amp;utm_medium=partner_feed&amp;utm_content=site&amp;nid=42027079">passed directly to consumers</a>.
"Tariffs would create a headwind to the performance of stocks with high international revenue exposure due to the risk of retaliatory tariffs and heightened geopolitical tensions," Goldman Sachs analyst David Kostin stated.
Goldman Sachs noted that <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/06/39467825/us-election-and-tariff-prospects-set-to-threaten-internationally-exposed-stocks-gol">U.S. stocks with domestic sales focus outperformed</a> those with international exposure by 1 percentage point the day after Trump's election and by 4 pp in the following month but underperformed by 9 pp in the next 12 months.
Key stocks in its Domestic Sales Basket include CVS Health Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVS#NYSE">CVS</a>), Wells Fargo &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>), T-Mobile US Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TMUS#NASDAQ">TMUS</a>), Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VZ#NYSE">VZ</a>), Lowe's Cos. Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LOW#NYSE">LOW</a>), Intuit Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTU#NASDAQ">INTU</a>), and Union Pacific Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNP#NYSE">UNP</a>).
The International Sales Basket includes Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVGO#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>), Visa Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/V#NYSE">V</a>), Mastercard Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MA#NYSE">MA</a>), QUALCOMM Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QCOM#NASDAQ">QCOM</a>), Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>), McDonald's Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCD#NYSE">MCD</a>), Philip Morris Intl (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PM#NYSE">PM</a>), Applied Materials Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMAT#NASDAQ">AMAT</a>), and Intel Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>).
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42103600/us-dollar-may-test-10860-level-as-geopolitical-tensions-cautious-fed-rhetoric-and-solid-us-economic-data-may-push-the-greenback-higher-says-expert">Dollar Upside On The Cards Amid Geopolitical Tensions, Cautious Fed And Solid US Economic Data, Says Expert</a></li>
</ul>
Image Via Shutterstock 
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/apis?utm_source=benzinga.com&amp;utm_campaign=article-bottom" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"></a>

Economics

AMAT

AVGO

INTC

INTU

NFLX

QCOM

TMUS

Mohamed El-Erian Warns Against Simplistic Narratives As Trump Plans Aggressive Tariff Strategy: 'The Issue Is Quite Complex'

McDonald's's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCD#NYSE">MCD</a>) short percent of float has fallen 7.58% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 8.77 million shares sold short, which is 1.22% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 1.43 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>McDonald's Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1732127436_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for McDonald's has declined since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to rise in the near-term but traders should be aware that less shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing McDonald's's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, McDonald's's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 10.24%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

How Is The Market Feeling About McDonald's?

IYC: Consumer Discretionary Dashboard For December

Jefferies raised the firm's price target on Brinker (EAT) to $118 from $100 and keeps a Hold rating on the shares. The firm views 2025 as "poised t...

Brinker price target raised to $118 from $100 at Jefferies

Yum Brands wants to take on McDonald's with new Taco Bell chicken nuggets that will be around for a limited time.

Yum Brands Challenges McDonald's with New Taco Bell Chicken Nuggets

My Dividend Stock Portfolio: New November Dividend Record - 97 Holdings With 18 Buys

Dow's drop: How blue-chips have fared during index's peak turned worst-run in decades

McDonald's: No Happy Meal For You (Technical Analysis)

Chipotle Mexican Grill: A Superb, Simple Company That's Fairly Valued

If I Had To Invest $100,000 In A Dividend Growth Portfolio Right Now, Here's What I Would Buy

What you have to realize is that cars and trucks aren't simple creations anymore. They're vehicular computers that cost more and more money to make and maintain. Almost everything about them is digitized these days. This all adds up to big bucks.

This $457 Billion Industry Is Set To Grow A Lot In The Next Four Years

Carillon Eagle Growth & Income Fund Q3 2024 Commentary

AAPL

ABBV

AGNC

ALIZF

AMGN

APLE

ARCC

BABA

BASFY

BAYZF

BXSL

CBAUF

COST

CSCO

CSWC

DELL

EQIX

FSNUF

GAIN

GILD

GLAD

GOOD

GSBD

HTGC

MAIN

MFIC

MSFT

NEWT

NVDA

OBDC

ORCL

ORLY

PFGC

RITM

RSPD

SDOW

SEMHF

SHEL

STAG

STWD

UDOW

UNIT

WELL

XLRE

Press Releases

Condado Tacos Announces Derrick Pratt as New Chief Executive Officer

Dividends

McDONALD'S ANNOUNCES QUARTERLY CASH DIVIDEND

Earnings

McDONALD'S REPORTS SECOND QUARTER 2024 RESULTS

McDONALD'S RAISES QUARTERLY CASH DIVIDEND BY 6%

Arcos Dorados Exercises Renewal Option for Its Master Franchise Agreement With McDonald's

McDONALD'S REPORTS THIRD QUARTER 2024 RESULTS

SHAREHOLDER ALERT: Pomerantz Law Firm Investigates Claims On Behalf of Investors of McDonald's Corporation - MCD

McDonald's USA, Syngenta and Lopez Foods Collaborate to Help Produce Beef More Sustainably in the US

Comments

McDonald's

매도 수량

McDonald's (NYSE:MCD) 주식, 공매도 수량 보고

사람들이 또한 지켜본다

뉴스

파트너 / 기고자

벤징가 글로벌