Brokerages Set McDonald’s Co. (NYSE:MCD) Price Target at $319.46

McDonald’s Co. (NYSE:MCD) has earned an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the thirty analysts that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Twelve analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $319.46.

MCD has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. UBS Group increased their price target on McDonald’s from $305.00 to $345.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 9th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their target price on shares of McDonald’s from $295.00 to $290.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, July 30th. Bank of America boosted their price target on shares of McDonald’s from $321.00 to $324.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on shares of McDonald’s from $296.00 to $340.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 15th. Finally, KeyCorp lifted their target price on McDonald’s from $305.00 to $330.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, October 7th.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 1,098 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $288.70, for a total transaction of $316,992.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 12,583 shares in the company, valued at $3,632,712.10. This trade represents a 8.03 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Marion K. Gross sold 1,498 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $286.36, for a total value of $428,967.28. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 1,560 shares in the company, valued at $446,721.60. This trade represents a 48.99 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 35,596 shares of company stock worth $10,698,289. Corporate insiders own 0.23% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On McDonald’s

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new position in shares of McDonald’s in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. RPg Family Wealth Advisory LLC acquired a new stake in McDonald’s during the 3rd quarter valued at $31,000. Kings Path Partners LLC bought a new position in McDonald’s in the 2nd quarter valued at $38,000. Hara Capital LLC acquired a new position in McDonald’s in the third quarter worth $44,000. Finally, Peterson Financial Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of McDonald’s during the third quarter worth $58,000. 70.29% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

McDonald’s Trading Down 2.0 %

Shares of McDonald’s stock opened at $292.63 on Tuesday. McDonald’s has a 52 week low of $243.53 and a 52 week high of $317.90. The stock has a market cap of $209.70 billion, a PE ratio of 25.68, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.95 and a beta of 0.74. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $300.06 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $277.42.

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 for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.82 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $3.19 earnings per share. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 2.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts predict that McDonald’s will post 11.77 EPS for the current fiscal year.

McDonald’s Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 2nd will be paid a dividend of $1.77 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 2nd. This represents a $7.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.42%. This is an increase from McDonald’s’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.67. McDonald’s’s payout ratio is currently 58.65%.

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.