Optimist Retirement Group LLC Lowers Stock Holdings in McDonald’s Co. (NYSE:MCD)

Optimist Retirement Group LLC cut its holdings in McDonald’s Co. (NYSE:MCD) by 0.7% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 7,186 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock after selling 54 shares during the quarter. McDonald’s accounts for 1.0% of Optimist Retirement Group LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 29th largest position. Optimist Retirement Group LLC’s holdings in McDonald’s were worth $2,083,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in MCD. Syntegra Private Wealth Group LLC increased its holdings in McDonald’s by 70.3% in the 4th quarter. Syntegra Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 2,353 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $682,000 after acquiring an additional 971 shares in the last quarter. Choreo LLC grew its position in shares of McDonald’s by 43.9% in the fourth quarter. Choreo LLC now owns 58,128 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $16,841,000 after purchasing an additional 17,743 shares during the period. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. increased its stake in shares of McDonald’s by 16.3% during the fourth quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 79,588 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $21,744,000 after purchasing an additional 11,177 shares in the last quarter. Virginia Wealth Management Group Inc. raised its position in shares of McDonald’s by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. Virginia Wealth Management Group Inc. now owns 13,799 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $4,000,000 after purchasing an additional 86 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Jericho Financial LLP purchased a new position in McDonald’s in the 4th quarter valued at about $3,767,000. 70.29% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

McDonald’s Price Performance

Shares of MCD opened at $288.49 on Thursday. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $290.88 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $290.38. The stock has a market cap of $206.74 billion, a PE ratio of 25.33, a P/E/G ratio of 3.83 and a beta of 0.74. McDonald’s Co. has a 1-year low of $243.53 and a 1-year high of $317.90.

Analyst Ratings Changes

MCD has been the subject of several research reports. Citigroup boosted their price objective on McDonald’s from $334.00 to $336.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 28th. Bank of America increased their price objective on McDonald’s from $321.00 to $324.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 30th. Wedbush reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $295.00 target price on shares of McDonald’s in a research note on Wednesday, October 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on shares of McDonald’s from $285.00 to $350.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, October 21st. Finally, Evercore ISI boosted their price target on shares of McDonald’s from $320.00 to $340.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 15th. Eleven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $319.57.

Insider Activity at McDonald’s

In other news, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 300 shares of McDonald’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, January 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $280.75, for a total value of $84,225.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 7,887 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,214,275.25. The trade was a 3.66 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Marion K. Gross sold 1,499 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, January 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $290.95, for a total value of $436,134.05. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 1,560 shares in the company, valued at approximately $453,882. The trade was a 49.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 7,406 shares of company stock worth $2,150,857. Insiders own 0.23% of the company’s stock.

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.