Clearstead Trust LLC Increases Stock Position in McDonald’s Co. (NYSE:MCD)

Clearstead Trust LLC raised its holdings in shares of McDonald’s Co. (NYSE:MCD) by 5.4% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 14,862 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock after acquiring an additional 767 shares during the quarter. McDonald’s accounts for approximately 1.2% of Clearstead Trust LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 16th biggest position. Clearstead Trust LLC’s holdings in McDonald’s were worth $4,407,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. SYM FINANCIAL Corp lifted its stake in McDonald’s by 3.8% during the 4th quarter. SYM FINANCIAL Corp now owns 2,306 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $684,000 after acquiring an additional 85 shares during the period. Kerntke Otto McGlone Wealth Management Group boosted its holdings in McDonald’s by 4.6% in the fourth quarter. Kerntke Otto McGlone Wealth Management Group now owns 965 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $286,000 after purchasing an additional 42 shares during the last quarter. NavPoint Financial Inc. bought a new stake in McDonald’s in the 4th quarter worth approximately $248,000. Connecticut Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in McDonald’s by 2.2% during the 4th quarter. Connecticut Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,416 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $1,309,000 after buying an additional 94 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Avalon Trust Co lifted its holdings in shares of McDonald’s by 18.1% during the 4th quarter. Avalon Trust Co now owns 1,089 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $323,000 after buying an additional 167 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 70.29% of the company’s stock.

McDonald’s Trading Down 1.1 %

MCD traded down $2.96 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $270.32. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 2,642,344 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,812,742. The stock has a market cap of $194.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.95, a P/E/G ratio of 2.95 and a beta of 0.71. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $279.53 and its 200-day moving average price is $282.35. McDonald’s Co. has a 12 month low of $245.73 and a 12 month high of $302.39.

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, April 30th. The fast-food giant reported $2.70 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.71 by ($0.01). McDonald’s had a negative return on equity of 180.54% and a net margin of 33.36%. The business had revenue of $6.17 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.16 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.63 earnings per share. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 4.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts forecast that McDonald’s Co. will post 12.18 earnings per share for the current year.

McDonald’s Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 1st were paid a $1.67 dividend. This represents a $6.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.47%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 29th. McDonald’s’s payout ratio is 56.71%.

Insider Transactions at McDonald’s

In related news, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 1,098 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, April 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $276.64, for a total transaction of $303,750.72. Following the sale, the insider now owns 16,977 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,696,517.28. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In related news, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 1,099 shares of McDonald’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $284.38, for a total transaction of $312,533.62. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 18,075 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,140,168.50. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 1,098 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $276.64, for a total transaction of $303,750.72. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 16,977 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,696,517.28. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.23% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts recently commented on the company. UBS Group cut their price objective on McDonald’s from $340.00 to $335.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Friday, April 5th. Stephens restated an “overweight” rating and set a $320.00 price target on shares of McDonald’s in a research note on Monday, February 5th. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on shares of McDonald’s from $327.00 to $320.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, April 12th. Stifel Nicolaus cut their target price on shares of McDonald’s from $315.00 to $300.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 11th. Finally, Citigroup decreased their price target on shares of McDonald’s from $312.00 to $297.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 16th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $317.74.

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.