Aviva PLC Acquires 31,323 Shares of McDonald’s Corporation $MCD

Aviva PLC raised its holdings in shares of McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) by 5.5% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 600,794 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock after buying an additional 31,323 shares during the quarter. Aviva PLC’s holdings in McDonald’s were worth $183,621,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Your Advocates Ltd. LLP bought a new position in McDonald’s during the fourth quarter valued at $27,000. Park Place Capital Corp lifted its position in McDonald’s by 95.7% during the fourth quarter. Park Place Capital Corp now owns 92 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 45 shares during the last quarter. DecisionPoint Financial LLC lifted its position in McDonald’s by 1,616.7% during the fourth quarter. DecisionPoint Financial LLC now owns 103 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 97 shares during the last quarter. Entrust Financial LLC bought a new position in McDonald’s during the fourth quarter valued at $31,000. Finally, Painted Porch Advisors LLC lifted its position in McDonald’s by 735.7% during the third quarter. Painted Porch Advisors LLC now owns 117 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 70.29% of the company’s stock.

McDonald’s Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:MCD opened at $285.02 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $202.51 billion, a PE ratio of 23.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.81 and a beta of 0.41. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $289.83 and its 200-day simple moving average is $306.90. McDonald’s Corporation has a one year low of $271.85 and a one year high of $341.75.

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

McDonald’s Announces Dividend

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 given a dividend of $1.86 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, June 2nd. This represents a $7.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.6%. McDonald’s’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 61.34%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have commented on MCD. Morgan Stanley set a $331.00 price objective on shares of McDonald’s in a research report on Friday, May 8th. Citigroup increased their target price on shares of McDonald’s from $371.00 to $375.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 12th. UBS Group increased their target price 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. Tigress Financial increased their target price on shares of McDonald’s from $360.00 to $385.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, March 6th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of McDonald’s from $355.00 to $320.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, May 8th. Sixteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $336.26.

Key Headlines Impacting McDonald’s

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

Insider Buying and Selling

In other McDonald’s 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 transaction, the executive vice president owned 6,268 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,744,760.48. This trade represents a 30.59% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 5,252 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $284.32, for a total transaction of $1,493,248.64. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 7,734 shares in the company, valued at $2,198,930.88. This trade represents a 40.44% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 11,307 shares of company stock worth $3,262,622. Corporate insiders own 0.26% of the company’s stock.

McDonald’s Profile

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.