McDonald’s Corporation $MCD Stock Purchased by Vest Financial LLC

Vest Financial LLC raised its holdings in McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) by 14.0% during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 226,522 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock after buying an additional 27,794 shares during the period. Vest Financial LLC’s holdings in McDonald’s were worth $52,313,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. GKV Capital Management Co. Inc. bought a new stake in McDonald’s during the 1st quarter valued at about $33,000. Merkkuri Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in McDonald’s in the 1st quarter valued at about $43,000. Financial Life Planners purchased a new stake in McDonald’s in the 1st quarter valued at about $51,000. Vermillion Wealth Management Inc. boosted its position in McDonald’s by 30.5% in the 1st quarter. Vermillion Wealth Management Inc. now owns 171 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $53,000 after buying an additional 40 shares during the period. Finally, POM Investment Strategies LLC boosted its position in McDonald’s by 46.2% in the 2nd quarter. POM Investment Strategies LLC now owns 174 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $47,000 after buying an additional 55 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.29% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MCD has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their price target on shares of McDonald’s from $290.00 to $285.00 and set a “sector perform” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, September 24th. Citigroup dropped their price objective on McDonald’s from $305.00 to $295.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday. KeyCorp reduced their price objective on McDonald’s from $305.00 to $280.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, October 6th. Bank of America raised their price objective on McDonald’s from $339.00 to $343.00 in a report on Wednesday, August 5th. Finally, Mizuho decreased their target price on McDonald’s from $300.00 to $290.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, July 31st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have issued a Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $295.64.

McDonald’s News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: McDonald’s is bringing back its Halloween Boo Buckets with a Disney Villains theme. The collectible promotion could increase seasonal visits, generate social-media engagement and support limited-time sales. Disney Villains Halloween Boo Buckets Arrive at McDonald’s
• Positive Sentiment: The McRib is returning to select Indiana restaurants on October 26, offering another limited-time product designed to attract loyal customers and create urgency. Fan-favorite sandwich returning to McDonald’s
• Positive Sentiment: Some analysts view MCD as potentially undervalued after its recent underperformance. Its valuation is below historical averages, while the established franchise model and multiyear-high dividend yield may appeal to income-focused investors. Is The Market Underpricing McDonald’s Stock?
• Neutral Sentiment: Two additional McDonald’s locations are planned for the northern Fort Worth suburbs, indicating continued domestic unit expansion, although the financial contribution is likely to be gradual. Two McDonald’s restaurants planned for north Fort Worth suburbs
• Negative Sentiment: TD Cowen’s downgrade of Chipotle also pressured McDonald’s and other restaurant stocks, reflecting broader investor concerns about slowing industry sales momentum. Chipotle Falls as TD Cowen Downgrades
• Negative Sentiment: McDonald’s faces weak U.S. traffic, making menu innovation important for restoring comparable-sales growth. The latest analysis suggests new products may help, but they have not yet resolved the underlying demand pressure. Can MCD’s Menu Innovation Offset Slower U.S. Comparable Sales Growth?

McDonald’s Stock Down 0.2%

MCD stock opened at $246.11 on Thursday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $250.31 and a 200 day moving average of $270.49. The stock has a market capitalization of $174.16 billion, a PE ratio of 19.99, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 0.44. McDonald’s Corporation has a 52 week low of $229.20 and a 52 week high of $341.75.

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 4th. The fast-food giant reported $3.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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 during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $7.13 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $3.19 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 3.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts expect that McDonald’s Corporation will post 12.84 earnings per share for the current year.

McDonald’s Increases Dividend

The company 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 dividend of $1.93 per share. This represents a $7.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 1st. This is an increase from McDonald’s’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.86. McDonald’s’s dividend payout ratio is currently 60.44%.

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.