Northeast Investment Management Trims Stake in McDonald's Co. (NYSE:MCD)

Northeast Investment Management decreased its position in shares of McDonald's Co. (NYSE:MCD - Free Report) by 3.0% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 83,295 shares of the fast-food giant's stock after selling 2,581 shares during the period. McDonald's makes up approximately 1.2% of Northeast Investment Management's holdings, making the stock its 27th largest holding. Northeast Investment Management's holdings in McDonald's were worth $26,019,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. My Legacy Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of McDonald's by 2.6% during the first quarter. My Legacy Advisors LLC now owns 4,802 shares of the fast-food giant's stock valued at $1,500,000 after buying an additional 122 shares during the last quarter. Curbstone Financial Management Corp boosted its position in McDonald's by 3.1% during the 1st quarter. Curbstone Financial Management Corp now owns 5,126 shares of the fast-food giant's stock valued at $1,601,000 after acquiring an additional 154 shares in the last quarter. Columbia Advisory Partners LLC bought a new stake in McDonald's during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $274,000. Redhawk Wealth Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of McDonald's by 21.7% during the first quarter. Redhawk Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 2,390 shares of the fast-food giant's stock valued at $747,000 after purchasing an additional 426 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Franklin Street Advisors Inc. NC lifted its holdings in shares of McDonald's by 7.3% during the first quarter. Franklin Street Advisors Inc. NC now owns 16,985 shares of the fast-food giant's stock valued at $5,306,000 after purchasing an additional 1,161 shares during the last quarter. 70.29% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

McDonald's Stock Performance

Shares of MCD traded up $1.21 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $302.93. 2,581,660 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,507,052. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $311.91 and a 200-day moving average of $302.88. McDonald's Co. has a 52 week low of $243.53 and a 52 week high of $326.32. The stock has a market cap of $216.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.60, a PEG ratio of 3.10 and a beta of 0.56.

McDonald's (NYSE:MCD - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 1st. The fast-food giant reported $2.67 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $2.67. McDonald's had a net margin of 31.73% and a negative return on equity of 181.63%. The business had revenue of $5.96 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.17 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.70 EPS. The business's revenue was down 3.5% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts predict that McDonald's Co. will post 12.25 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

McDonald's Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 16th. Investors of record on Monday, June 2nd will be issued a $1.77 dividend. This represents a $7.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.34%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 2nd. McDonald's's payout ratio is 62.49%.

Insider Activity at McDonald's

In related news, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 939 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, April 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $318.50, for a total value of $299,071.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 12,100 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,853,850. This trade represents a 7.20% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.25% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. BMO Capital Markets reiterated an "outperform" rating and set a $345.00 target price (up from $340.00) on shares of McDonald's in a report on Monday, May 5th. Morgan Stanley restated an "equal weight" rating and issued a $324.00 price objective (down from $329.00) on shares of McDonald's in a report on Monday. Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of McDonald's from $347.00 to $355.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, May 2nd. Piper Sandler boosted their target price on shares of McDonald's from $292.00 to $314.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, May 2nd. Finally, Robert W. Baird boosted their target price on shares of McDonald's from $300.00 to $315.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, May 2nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have assigned a hold rating and fourteen have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $321.79.

McDonald's Company Profile

McDonald's Corp. engages in the operation and franchising of restaurants. It operates through the following segments: U.S., International Operated Markets, and International Developmental Licensed Markets and Corporate. The U.S. segment focuses its operations on the United States. The International Operated Markets segment consists of operations and the franchising of restaurants in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and the U.K.