McDonald's dividend history, what long-term investors in the stock track

McDonald's Corporation has maintained a long record of annual dividend increases and remains a key dividend payer in the S&P 500. This overview highlights the payout history, recent cash distributions, and what income-focused investors watch most closely.

By Thomas Klein, Operations & Strategy desk. Reviewed prior to publication on 2026-06-29, 07:39.

McDonald's Corporation (US5801351017) is widely held as a dividend stock among S&P 500 constituents. The fast-food group underlines this role with a long series of annual payout increases documented in its investor materials and third-party dividend histories.McDonald's own dividend history overview

How McDonald's dividends add up

McDonald's reports on its website that it has paid dividends on its common stock since the mid-1970s and has increased the payout every year for decades, securing a place among established dividend growth names in the consumer sector.Company dividend history tables

Independent dividend trackers show a pattern of quarterly payments in March, June, September and December for McDonald's shares, with regular per-share increases over multi-year periods that are of interest to income-focused investors benchmarking against S&P 500 peers such as Coca-Cola and Starbucks.Nasdaq dividend history for MCD

What recent distributions show

Public dividend tables for McDonald's highlight the most recent quarterly cash dividends and the dates on which the board declared, recorded and paid those distributions, giving shareholders a clear schedule to compare with other consumer discretionary dividend payers.MarketWatch dividend data for McDonald's

Analyst commentary on major finance portals regularly references McDonald's dividend track record when assessing the stock's appeal for long-term total return, combining payout stability with the company’s global franchised restaurant model and its inclusion in indices such as the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500.Morningstar analysis page for MCD

How McDonald's generates its cash flows

McDonald's generates most of its revenue and operating cash flows by franchising and operating quick-service restaurants worldwide, including the sale of signature menu items such as the Big Mac and Chicken McNuggets alongside beverages and breakfast offerings.

Where the stock trades today

McDonald's stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker MCD; investors monitor the share price in US dollars during regular US trading hours when assessing dividend yield and total return metrics for the company.

McDonald's Corporation at a glance

• Company: McDonald's Corporation
• ISIN: US5801351017
• WKN: 856958
• Ticker: MCD
• Trading venue: NYSE
• Price (as of 2026-06-29, 05:30): 270.00 USD
• Market cap: 195000000000 USD (as of 2026-06-29)
• Sector / industry: Consumer Discretionary / Restaurants
• Index membership: Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500
• Next earnings date: not officially scheduled

This article was produced with AI assistance and editorially reviewed. Price and company figures without guarantee; prices and dates may change at short notice. No investment advice, no buy or sell recommendation. Stock-market transactions carry risks up to and including total loss.