McDonald's (MCD) Pops Higher on Activist Investor Rumor

(Updated - December 16, 2014 10:58 AM EST)

McDonald's (NYSE: MCD) ramps higher.

UPDATE: The upside appears to be driven by a trading desk rumor that activist investor Bill Ackman is back in the name and could again try to get the fast-food giant to spin-off its real estate assets into a REIT.

In 2005, Ackman tried to get McDonald's to spin off 65 percent of its company-owned restaurants in a stock offering. He later backed away after the company said it would take a number of steps to improve value including a $1 billion buyback and licensing 1,500 restaurants.

While today's Ackman rumor is logical, it is likely trading desk fiction.

Shares of McDonald's are up 2.4% mid-day.

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