Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bearish stance on McDonald's MCD.
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.
Projected Price Targets
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.
Volume & Open Interest Development
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.
McDonald's Option Volume And Open Interest Over Last 30 Days
Noteworthy Options Activity:
| Symbol | PUT/CALL | Trade Type | Sentiment | Exp. Date | Ask | Bid | Price | Strike Price | Total Trade Price | Open Interest | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCD | CALL | SWEEP | BULLISH | 01/16/26 | $18.15 | $16.9 | $18.15 | $310.00 | $179.6K | 161 | 1 |
| MCD | CALL | TRADE | BEARISH | 03/21/25 | $2.26 | $2.12 | $2.12 | $320.00 | $168.5K | 1.1K | 5 |
| MCD | CALL | SWEEP | BULLISH | 01/10/25 | $6.05 | $6.0 | $6.05 | $290.00 | $151.8K | 504 | 476 |
| MCD | CALL | SWEEP | BEARISH | 01/03/25 | $3.2 | $3.1 | $3.1 | $292.50 | $124.0K | 64 | 479 |
| MCD | CALL | SWEEP | BULLISH | 01/10/25 | $6.05 | $6.0 | $6.05 | $290.00 | $65.3K | 504 | 211 |
About 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.
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.
Where Is McDonald's Standing Right Now?
- Currently trading with a volume of 1,418,822, the MCD's price is up by 0.59%, now at $293.0.
- RSI readings suggest the stock is currently is currently neutral between overbought and oversold.
- Anticipated earnings release is in 41 days.
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. Click here for access.
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 Benzinga Pro for real-time alerts.
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