McDonald’s Corporation $MCD Shares Sold by Northeast Investment Management

Northeast Investment Management lessened its holdings in shares of McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) by 2.8% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 76,959 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock after selling 2,233 shares during the quarter. Northeast Investment Management’s holdings in McDonald’s were worth $23,918,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the business. Peterson Wealth Services grew its position in McDonald’s by 3,294.5% during the fourth quarter. Peterson Wealth Services now owns 11,779 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $3,600,000 after acquiring an additional 11,432 shares during the period. Harbour Investments Inc. raised its holdings in shares of McDonald’s by 84.4% in the 4th quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 35,510 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $10,853,000 after purchasing an additional 16,252 shares during the period. Capital International Sarl lifted its stake in shares of McDonald’s by 10.4% in the 4th quarter. Capital International Sarl now owns 64,256 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $19,639,000 after purchasing an additional 6,079 shares in the last quarter. North Dakota State Investment Board acquired a new position in shares of McDonald’s in the 4th quarter valued at about $7,493,000. Finally, Pittenger & Anderson Inc. grew its holdings in shares of McDonald’s by 21.9% during the 4th quarter. Pittenger & Anderson Inc. now owns 21,487 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $6,567,000 after purchasing an additional 3,866 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.29% of the company’s stock.

McDonald’s Trading Down 3.3%

Shares of MCD stock opened at $264.76 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $284.16 and a 200-day simple moving average of $304.79. The company has a market capitalization of $188.12 billion, a PE ratio of 21.83, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.73 and a beta of 0.41. McDonald’s Corporation has a twelve month low of $264.53 and a twelve month high of $341.75.

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

McDonald’s Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 16th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, June 2nd were paid a dividend of $1.86 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, June 2nd. This represents a $7.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.8%. McDonald’s’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 61.34%.

Key Stories Impacting McDonald’s

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

• Positive Sentiment: McDonald’s is being highlighted as part of the defensive restaurant group that can benefit when lower oil prices ease pressure on consumers, potentially supporting traffic and spending. Jack in the Box and First Watch Stocks Trade Up, What You Need To Know
• Positive Sentiment: Investors are paying attention to McDonald’s new “McDonald’s NEXT” modernization program, which aims to improve food quality, add automation, deepen digital engagement, and strengthen franchise economics over time. How Investors May Respond To McDonald’s (MCD) McDonald’s NEXT Modernization And Evolving Cash-Flow Story
• Positive Sentiment: McDonald’s China announced a sustainability partnership with Syngenta and McCain to build a more resilient potato supply chain, which could support long-term supply stability for fries and other menu items. Syngenta Group China Partners With McDonald’s and McCain for a More Sustainable Potato Supply Chain
• Neutral Sentiment: McDonald’s is drawing increased investor attention, but the related Zacks pieces are mostly stock-screening and comparison articles rather than new fundamental developments. McDonald’s Corporation (MCD) is Attracting Investor Attention: Here is What You Should Know
• Neutral Sentiment: Recent consumer-interest stories around McDonald’s products and promotions, including the fried apple pie and FIFA World Cup 26 meals, may help brand visibility but do not clearly change the near-term earnings outlook. McDonald’s unveils FIFA World Cup 26 meals with collectible cups and Squishmallows
• Negative Sentiment: Several recent articles note McDonald’s shares have pulled back meaningfully over the past week, month, and year-to-date, reinforcing a weaker technical setup and valuation concern for traders. McDonald’s (MCD) Sees a More Significant Dip Than Broader Market: Some Facts to Know

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts recently issued reports on MCD shares. TD Cowen reissued a “hold” rating on shares of McDonald’s in a research report on Friday, June 12th. Rothschild & Co Redburn upgraded shares of McDonald’s from a “sell” rating to a “neutral” rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $260.00 to $306.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on shares of McDonald’s from $355.00 to $320.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, May 8th. Tigress Financial raised 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, Cfra upgraded shares of McDonald’s to a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, May 8th. Sixteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $336.26.

Insider Transactions at McDonald’s

In other McDonald’s news, EVP Desiree Ralls-Morrison sold 2,763 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 28th. The stock was 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 $1,744,760.48. This trade represents a 30.59% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 5,252 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $284.32, for a total value 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 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.

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.