Talbot Financial LLC Sells 33,602 Shares of McDonald’s Corporation $MCD

Talbot Financial LLC cut its holdings in shares of McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) by 91.6% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 3,092 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock after selling 33,602 shares during the quarter. Talbot Financial LLC’s holdings in McDonald’s were worth $714,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Prairie Advisory LLC increased its position in shares of McDonald’s by 100.3% during the third quarter. Prairie Advisory LLC now owns 4,858 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $1,122,000 after buying an additional 2,433 shares during the period. Investment Research & Advisory Group Inc. lifted its holdings in McDonald’s by 259.7% in the third quarter. Investment Research & Advisory Group Inc. now owns 428 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $99,000 after buying an additional 309 shares during the period. Quantum Financial Partners LLC lifted its holdings in McDonald’s by 1.7% in the third quarter. Quantum Financial Partners LLC now owns 7,943 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $1,834,000 after buying an additional 133 shares during the period. Optivise Advisory Services LLC boosted its position in McDonald’s by 12.3% during the 3rd quarter. Optivise Advisory Services LLC now owns 1,221 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $282,000 after acquiring an additional 134 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Clark Wealth Partners boosted its position in McDonald’s by 22.1% during the 3rd quarter. Clark Wealth Partners now owns 5,054 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $1,167,000 after acquiring an additional 914 shares in the last quarter. 70.29% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

McDonald’s News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting McDonald’s this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Analyst commentary describes McDonald’s as an undervalued opportunity, citing the company’s powerful franchise model, global scale, cash-generation potential and ability to benefit from digital sales and strategic initiatives. Another analysis argues investors should focus on the company’s underlying operating performance rather than short-term market noise. McDonald’s: An Underrated Opportunity Hiding In Plain Sight Tune Out The Noise, This Is What Matters For McDonald’s
• Positive Sentiment: McDonald’s is introducing or promoting new chicken offerings, which could support traffic and menu innovation, although the reported product is not available to all customers or markets. McDonald’s has launched a new chicken product
• Neutral Sentiment: Coverage of the appeal of McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets and a possible sauce addition to the McMuffin reinforces brand engagement, but is unlikely to materially affect near-term revenue or profits. The Real Reason McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets Are So Good Your McDonald’s McMuffin Is Missing This Special Sauce
• Positive Sentiment: The return of Disney-villain Boo Buckets for Halloween and other seasonal promotions could generate incremental visits and merchandise interest, though the financial impact is likely modest. McDonald’s Boo Buckets return with Disney villains theme
• Negative Sentiment: A lawsuit alleges McDonald’s used AI-related practices to “nickel-and-dime” customers. The claims have not been established, but the litigation could create reputational, regulatory and legal-cost risks if it gains traction. Lawsuit accuses McDonald’s of AI scheme

McDonald’s Stock Up 0.0%

Shares of NYSE MCD traded up $0.08 on Monday, reaching $243.05. 2,353,579 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,257,142. McDonald’s Corporation has a 12 month low of $229.20 and a 12 month high of $341.75. The business’s 50 day simple moving average is $252.05 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $271.83. The company has a market cap of $171.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.74, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.72 and a beta of 0.44.

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The fast-food giant reported $3.38 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.32 by $0.06. McDonald’s had a negative return on equity of 572.06% and a net margin of 31.72%. The firm had revenue of $7.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $7.13 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $3.19 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 3.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts forecast that McDonald’s Corporation will post 12.84 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

McDonald’s Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 1st will be paid a $1.93 dividend. This is an increase from McDonald’s’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.86. This represents a $7.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 1st. McDonald’s’s payout ratio is currently 60.44%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have weighed in on MCD. Freedom Capital raised McDonald’s from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 5th. DZ Bank restated a “buy” rating on shares of McDonald’s in a research note on Thursday, September 24th. Seaport Research Partners started coverage on McDonald’s in a research report on Wednesday, September 16th. They set a “neutral” rating on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their price target on McDonald’s from $325.00 to $300.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, September 14th. Finally, Citigroup reduced their price target on McDonald’s from $310.00 to $305.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, September 24th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have given a Buy rating, thirteen have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $295.94.

About McDonald’s

McDonald’s Corporation is a global quick-service restaurant company that operates and franchises restaurants under the McDonald’s brand. Its restaurants serve a menu that includes hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches, French fries, breakfast items, desserts, salads, beverages and coffee. Offerings vary by market, and many locations provide drive-thru service, delivery and digital ordering through the McDonald’s mobile app.

The company operates through a heavily franchised business model, with restaurants owned and operated by independent franchisees, affiliates and the company itself.