SmartHarvest Portfolios LLC Buys New Shares in McDonald’s Corporation $MCD

SmartHarvest Portfolios LLC bought a new stake in McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm bought 2,679 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock, valued at approximately $819,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in MCD. Your Advocates Ltd. LLP bought a new position in McDonald’s in the fourth quarter valued at $27,000. Park Place Capital Corp lifted its stake in McDonald’s by 95.7% in the fourth quarter. Park Place Capital Corp now owns 92 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 45 shares during the last quarter. DecisionPoint Financial LLC lifted its stake in McDonald’s by 1,616.7% in the fourth quarter. DecisionPoint Financial LLC now owns 103 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 97 shares during the last quarter. Entrust Financial LLC acquired a new stake in McDonald’s in the fourth quarter valued at $31,000. Finally, Painted Porch Advisors LLC lifted its stake in McDonald’s by 735.7% in the third quarter. Painted Porch Advisors LLC now owns 117 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $36,000 after acquiring an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 70.29% of the company’s stock.

Insider Transactions at McDonald’s

In other news, EVP Desiree Ralls-Morrison sold 2,763 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $278.36, for a total transaction of $769,108.68. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 6,268 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,744,760.48. This trade represents a 30.59% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 5,252 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $284.32, for a total transaction of $1,493,248.64. Following the sale, the insider owned 7,734 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,198,930.88. This represents a 40.44% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 11,307 shares of company stock valued at $3,262,622. 0.26% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have commented on MCD shares. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on shares of McDonald’s from $355.00 to $320.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, May 8th. Evercore set a $350.00 price target on shares of McDonald’s in a research note on Friday, May 8th. UBS Group increased their price target on shares of McDonald’s from $350.00 to $365.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 12th. Cfra upgraded shares of McDonald’s to a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, May 8th. Finally, Guggenheim cut their price target on shares of McDonald’s from $325.00 to $320.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, February 13th. Sixteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $336.26.

McDonald’s News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting McDonald’s this week:

• Positive Sentiment: McDonald’s new FIFA World Cup meal promotions, collectible cups, and Squishmallows tie-ins could lift traffic and drive incremental sales through limited-time demand. McDonald’s FIFA World Cup meals with Squishmallows and 9 collectible cups are here
• Positive Sentiment: McDonald’s is testing AI-powered drive-thru systems, which could improve service speed, reduce labor pressure, and support margins if the rollout works well. McDonald’s testing AI drive-thru system at select US locations
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst sentiment remains constructive, with coverage pointing to a “Moderate Buy” consensus on MCD. McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) Given Consensus Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts
• Neutral Sentiment: McDonald’s is receiving additional attention from commentary framing it as a long-term buy-on-weakness name, but this is more sentiment than a fresh fundamental catalyst. Jim Cramer Discusses a Strategic Buying Plan to Build a Great Cost Basis in McDonald’s
• Negative Sentiment: An insider sale by executive Joseph M. Erlinger may weigh on sentiment, even though insider sales do not always indicate a weaker outlook. Joseph M. Erlinger insider sale
• Negative Sentiment: Recent analysis highlighted that MCD shares have fallen over the past few months amid cost pressures, weaker low-income demand, and slower sales growth, which remains a key overhang for the stock. McDonald’s Stock Slides 13% in 3 Months: Buy the Dip or Stay Away?
• Negative Sentiment: There is also some concern around customer frustration with drive-thru changes and workplace safety scrutiny, which could hurt brand perception if the issues persist. McDonald’s quietly makes a major change to its drive thru and customers are furious

McDonald’s Stock Performance

NYSE MCD opened at $285.02 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $289.83 and a 200-day moving average of $306.90. The stock has a market cap of $202.51 billion, a PE ratio of 23.50, a P/E/G ratio of 2.81 and a beta of 0.41. McDonald’s Corporation has a 52-week low of $271.85 and a 52-week high of $341.75.

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, May 7th. The fast-food giant reported $2.83 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.74 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $6.52 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.47 billion. McDonald’s had a net margin of 31.62% and a negative return on equity of 442.10%. McDonald’s’s quarterly revenue was up 9.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $2.67 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that McDonald’s Corporation will post 12.93 EPS for the current fiscal year.

McDonald’s Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 16th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, June 2nd will be paid a dividend of $1.86 per share. This represents a $7.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.6%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, June 2nd. McDonald’s’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 61.34%.

About McDonald’s

McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE: MCD) is a global quick-service restaurant company best known for its hamburgers, French fries and breakfast offerings. The company develops, operates and franchises a system of restaurants that sell a range of food and beverage items, including signature products such as the Big Mac, Quarter Pounder, Chicken McNuggets, McCafé coffee beverages and a variety of salads, desserts and seasonal menu items. McDonald’s serves customers through company-operated restaurants and franchised locations, and it supports sales via dine-in, drive-thru, digital ordering platforms and third-party delivery partnerships.

Founded in 1940 by brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald as a single San Bernardino, California restaurant, the business was transformed into a franchising model after Ray Kroc joined in the mid-1950s and led the brand’s national and international expansion.