What is McDonald's's short-term investments?

McDonald's (MCD) reported short-term investments of $228.00M in Q4 2025.

How has McDonald's's short-term investments changed year-over-year?

McDonald's's short-term investments decreased by 49.4% year-over-year, from $451.00M to $228.00M.

What is the long-term trend for McDonald's's short-term investments?

Over 5 years (2020 to 2025), McDonald's's short-term investments has grown at a 3986.8% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $2.00 to $228.00M.

What does short-term investments mean?

Liquid investments maturing between three months and one year.

Current Assets

Short-Term Investments

McDonald's Short-Term Investments decreased by 49.4% to $228.00M in Q4 2025 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric declined by 49.4%, from $451.00M to $228.00M. Over 5 years (FY 2020 to FY 2025), Short-Term Investments shows an upward trend with a 3986.8% CAGR. This decline may warrant attention — for this metric, higher values are generally preferred.

Analysis

StatementBalance Sheet Statement

SectionCurrent Assets

CategoryLiquidity

SignalHigher is better

VolatilityModerate

First reportedQ4 2020

Last reportedQ4 2025Feb 24, 2026

How to read this metric

An increase suggests the company is effectively deploying excess cash to earn returns; a decrease may indicate cash usage for operations or acquisitions.

Detailed definition

These are marketable securities and other financial instruments that the company intends to hold for more than three mon...

Peer comparison

Common for companies with significant cash reserves and active treasury management.

Metric ID: short_term_investments

Historical Data

5 periods

	Q4 '21	Q4 '22	Q4 '23	Q4 '24	Q4 '25
Value	$3.40	$1.80B	$4.00B	$451.00M	$228.00M
QoQ Change	—	>999%	+122.2%	-88.7%	-49.4%
YoY Change	—	>999%	+122.2%	-88.7%	-49.4%

Range$3.40 – $4.00B

CAGR>999%

Avg YoY Growth>999%

Median YoY Growth+36.4%

Current Streak2 quarters decline

Short-Term Investments at Other Companies

Chipotle Mexican GrillCMG View metric

Frequently Asked Questions

What is McDonald's's short-term investments?: McDonald's (MCD) reported short-term investments of $228.00M in Q4 2025.
How has McDonald's's short-term investments changed year-over-year?: McDonald's's short-term investments decreased by 49.4% year-over-year, from $451.00M to $228.00M.
What is the long-term trend for McDonald's's short-term investments?: Over 5 years (2020 to 2025), McDonald's's short-term investments has grown at a 3986.8% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $2.00 to $228.00M.
What does short-term investments mean?: Liquid investments maturing between three months and one year.