Public Employees Retirement Association of Colorado Sells 3,959 Shares of McDonald's Co. (NYSE:MCD)

Public Employees Retirement Association of Colorado lessened its stake in shares of McDonald's Co. (NYSE:MCD - Free Report) by 4.0% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 95,680 shares of the fast-food giant's stock after selling 3,959 shares during the period. Public Employees Retirement Association of Colorado's holdings in McDonald's were worth $27,737,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Atala Financial Inc bought a new position in shares of McDonald's in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Comprehensive Financial Planning Inc. PA bought a new stake in McDonald's during the fourth quarter worth $27,000. Collier Financial bought a new stake in McDonald's during the fourth quarter worth $29,000. Fairway Wealth LLC lifted its holdings in McDonald's by 110.0% during the fourth quarter. Fairway Wealth LLC now owns 105 shares of the fast-food giant's stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 55 shares during the period. Finally, GKV Capital Management Co. Inc. bought a new stake in McDonald's during the fourth quarter worth $30,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.29% of the company's stock.

McDonald's Price Performance

McDonald's stock traded up $5.29 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $319.79. 5,558,068 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,563,937. The business's 50-day moving average is $308.71 and its 200-day moving average is $299.93. The stock has a market capitalization of $228.67 billion, a PE ratio of 28.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.10 and a beta of 0.62. McDonald's Co. has a 12-month low of $243.53 and a 12-month high of $326.32.

McDonald's (NYSE:MCD - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 10th. The fast-food giant reported $2.83 EPS for the quarter, hitting analysts' consensus estimates of $2.83. McDonald's had a negative return on equity of 181.63% and a net margin of 31.73%. Equities analysts anticipate that McDonald's Co. will post 12.25 EPS for the current fiscal year.

McDonald's Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Investors of record on Monday, March 3rd were paid a dividend of $1.77 per share. This represents a $7.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.21%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 3rd. McDonald's's payout ratio is presently 62.16%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MCD has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Barclays dropped their price target on McDonald's from $350.00 to $347.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Truist Financial lowered their target price on McDonald's from $342.00 to $340.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, February 11th. Loop Capital restated a "buy" rating and issued a $342.00 target price on shares of McDonald's in a research note on Friday, January 3rd. BMO Capital Markets boosted their target price on McDonald's from $335.00 to $340.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 11th. Finally, Bank of America lifted their target price on McDonald's from $312.00 to $316.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Tuesday, February 11th. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, sixteen have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $322.74.

Insider Activity at McDonald's

In related news, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 939 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, April 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $318.50, for a total transaction of $299,071.50. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly 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 the SEC website. Also, CEO Christopher J. Kempczinski sold 10,500 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $310.05, for a total value of $3,255,525.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 32,756 shares in the company, valued at $10,155,997.80. This trade represents a 24.27 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 28,136 shares of company stock valued at $8,676,247. Insiders own 0.25% of the company's stock.

About McDonald's

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.