McDonald's Corporation Won't Comment On Ackman Rumor

McDonald's Corp.

extended its gains Wednesday on a rumor that activist investor William Ackman was building a stake in the fast-food giant. Asked about the rumor, the Oakbrook, Ill. company told CNBC that it "welcomes investment," but didn't offer more specific comment. https://twitter.com/CNBCAlex/status/545278105716547584 Ackman is rumored to seek the establishment of a real estate investment trust for McDonald's properties in a move similar to that currently contemplated by Darden Restaurants Inc.

. Ackman declined to comment on the topic in an interview with Bloomberg Television Wednesday. Ackman proposed in late 2005 that McDonald's spin off 65 percent of its company-owned restaurants in a stock offering and issue $14.7 billion in new financing secured against its real estate. McDonalds dismissed the earlier proposal as "financial engineering," according to a Reuters report at the time, although the company subsequently launched a $1 billion stock buyback. Shares of McDonald's are off nearly 10 percent in the past six months on a stream of disappointing financial news. On Wednesday McDonald's changed hands recently at $91.03, up $2.31.