MFA Wealth Services Buys Shares of 2,221 McDonald’s Co. (NYSE:MCD)

MFA Wealth Services purchased a new stake in shares of McDonald’s Co. (NYSE:MCD) in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor purchased 2,221 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock, valued at approximately $644,000.

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

McDonald’s Trading Up 1.1 %

Shares of NYSE MCD opened at $284.49 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $291.49 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $287.90. The firm has a market capitalization of $203.87 billion, a PE ratio of 24.98, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.66 and a beta of 0.73. McDonald’s Co. has a 12 month low of $243.53 and a 12 month high of $317.90.

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, October 29th. The fast-food giant reported $3.23 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.18 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $6.87 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.82 billion. McDonald’s had a negative return on equity of 175.42% and a net margin of 31.79%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 2.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $3.19 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that McDonald’s Co. will post 11.72 earnings per share for the current year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Loop Capital restated a “buy” rating and issued a $342.00 price objective on shares of McDonald’s in a report on Friday, January 3rd. Robert W. Baird cut shares of McDonald’s from an “outperform” rating to a “neutral” rating and cut their price objective for the company from $320.00 to $290.00 in a research report on Wednesday, October 23rd. Barclays lifted their price objective 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. BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on shares of McDonald’s from $315.00 to $335.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 30th. Finally, Guggenheim cut shares of McDonald’s from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and lowered their price target for the company from $290.00 to $285.00 in a report on Wednesday, October 23rd. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, McDonald’s presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $321.22.

Insider Transactions at McDonald’s

In related news, EVP Desiree Ralls-Morrison sold 3,409 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $290.15, for a total value of $989,121.35. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 9,675 shares in the company, valued at $2,807,201.25. This represents a 26.05 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Marion K. Gross sold 1,499 shares of McDonald’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, January 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $290.95, for a total value of $436,134.05. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 1,560 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $453,882. The trade was a 49.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 8,605 shares of company stock valued at $2,508,102 in the last three months. 0.23% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

About McDonald’s

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.