Form 4: McDonald's Director Amy E. Weaver Reports Acquisition of Phantom Stock

Director Amy E. Weaver reports acquiring phantom stock in McDonald's Corporation through a deferred compensation plan.

Summary

• Amy E. Weaver, a director of McDonald's Corporation, filed a Form 4 to report changes in beneficial ownership.
• The report indicates the acquisition of phantom stock on March 31, 2025, through the Board of Directors Deferred Compensation Plan.
• Weaver acquired 96.04 shares of phantom stock at a price of $312.37 per share.
• Following the transaction, Weaver beneficially owns 1,697.11 shares of phantom stock.
• The phantom stock is the economic equivalent of McDonald's common stock and will be settled in cash upon retirement or termination from the Board.
• The acquisition is exempt under Rule 16b-3(d)(1) and represents deferred compensation.
• Shares were also acquired through dividend reinvestment.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: The document reflects a standard executive compensation practice, indicating stability and alignment of interests. It's a neutral to slightly positive signal.

Positives

• The acquisition of phantom stock aligns the director's interests with the long-term performance of the company.
• The deferred compensation plan can be seen as a positive incentive for board members.

Future Outlook

The phantom stock will be settled in cash following the Director's retirement date or other termination from the Board.

Industry Context

Executive compensation through stock and phantom stock is a common practice in publicly traded companies to align management's interests with shareholder value.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• Deferred compensation plans are a standard practice among large corporations like McDonald's to attract and retain board members.
• Companies such as Starbucks, Coca-Cola, and PepsiCo also utilize similar compensation strategies for their executives and board members.

Stakeholder Impact

• The acquisition of phantom stock has a minimal direct impact on stakeholders.
• It reinforces the alignment of the director's interests with the company's long-term success, which indirectly benefits shareholders.

Key Dates

Keywords

Form 4, phantom stock, McDonald's, Weaver, director, deferred compensation, beneficial ownership, MCD