Sandbox Financial Partners LLC Decreases Stake in McDonald’s Co. (NYSE:MCD)

Sandbox Financial Partners LLC lessened its position in shares of McDonald’s Co. (NYSE:MCD) by 14.0% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,660 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock after selling 271 shares during the period. Sandbox Financial Partners LLC’s holdings in McDonald’s were worth $481,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new position in shares of McDonald’s during the third quarter worth $25,000. RPg Family Wealth Advisory LLC acquired a new position in shares of McDonald’s during the 3rd quarter worth about $31,000. Hara Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of McDonald’s in the 3rd quarter valued at about $44,000. Peterson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of McDonald’s during the 3rd quarter worth about $58,000. Finally, FSA Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in McDonald’s during the third quarter worth approximately $72,000. 70.29% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

McDonald’s Stock Performance

MCD stock opened at $280.90 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $201.30 billion, a PE ratio of 24.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.67 and a beta of 0.73. The company has a fifty day moving average of $292.54 and a 200-day moving average of $286.97. McDonald’s Co. has a one year low of $243.53 and a one year high of $317.90.

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 29th. The fast-food giant reported $3.23 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.18 by $0.05. McDonald’s had a net margin of 31.79% and a negative return on equity of 175.42%. The firm had revenue of $6.87 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.82 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $3.19 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts forecast that McDonald’s Co. will post 11.73 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 1,099 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $292.38, for a total transaction of $321,325.62. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 10,385 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $3,036,366.30. This trade represents a 9.57 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Marion K. Gross sold 1,499 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $294.51, for a total value of $441,470.49. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 1,560 shares in the company, valued at approximately $459,435.60. The trade was a 49.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 9,704 shares of company stock valued at $2,829,428 in the last three months. 0.23% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have weighed in on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price objective on shares of McDonald’s from $284.00 to $325.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, September 24th. Barclays upped their target price on shares of McDonald’s from $300.00 to $325.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 22nd. Loop Capital reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $342.00 price target on shares of McDonald’s in a research note on Friday, January 3rd. Robert W. Baird lowered McDonald’s from an “outperform” rating to a “neutral” rating and dropped their price objective for the stock from $320.00 to $290.00 in a report on Wednesday, October 23rd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on McDonald’s from $285.00 to $350.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, October 21st. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, McDonald’s currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $321.39.

McDonald’s Company Profile

McDonald's Corporation operates and franchises restaurants under the McDonald's brand in the United States and internationally. It offers food and beverages, including hamburgers and cheeseburgers, various chicken sandwiches, fries, shakes, desserts, sundaes, cookies, pies, soft drinks, coffee, and other beverages; and full or limited breakfast, as well as sells various other products during limited-time promotions.