Second Half Financial Partners LLC Takes $1.98 Million Position in McDonald’s Co. (NYSE:MCD)

Second Half Financial Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of McDonald’s Co. (NYSE:MCD) in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 6,495 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock, valued at approximately $1,978,000.

A number of other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Hara Capital LLC acquired a new stake in McDonald’s in the third quarter valued at about $44,000. Kings Path Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of McDonald’s in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Peterson Financial Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of McDonald’s during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $58,000. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in McDonald’s during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $59,000. Finally, Bbjs Financial Advisors LLC bought a new position in McDonald’s in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $65,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.29% of the company’s stock.

McDonald’s Stock Down 0.5 %

McDonald’s stock opened at $291.10 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $208.61 billion, a PE ratio of 25.56, a PEG ratio of 3.89 and a beta of 0.74. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $300.06 and its 200 day moving average is $277.60. McDonald’s Co. has a 12-month low of $243.53 and a 12-month high of $317.90.

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) last announced 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. The business had revenue of $6.87 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.82 billion. McDonald’s had a negative return on equity of 175.42% and a net margin of 31.79%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $3.19 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts expect that McDonald’s Co. will post 11.77 EPS for the current fiscal year.

McDonald’s Increases Dividend

The business 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 is Monday, December 2nd. This represents a $7.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.43%. This is an increase from McDonald’s’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.67. McDonald’s’s payout ratio is 62.16%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on MCD shares. Tigress Financial upped their price target on shares of McDonald’s from $355.00 to $360.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, September 3rd. Citigroup increased their target price on McDonald’s from $301.00 to $317.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 2nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their price target on McDonald’s from $295.00 to $290.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, July 30th. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on shares of McDonald’s from $296.00 to $340.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 15th. Finally, Argus raised shares of McDonald’s from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 8th. Thirteen research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, McDonald’s presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $319.46.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 1,098 shares of McDonald’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $288.70, for a total value of $316,992.60. Following the sale, the insider now owns 12,583 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,632,712.10. The trade was a 8.03 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Christopher J. Kempczinski sold 11,727 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, September 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $300.03, for a total value of $3,518,451.81. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 49,885 shares in the company, valued at $14,966,996.55. This represents a 19.03 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 35,596 shares of company stock worth $10,698,289. 0.23% of the stock is owned by corporate 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.