Strong Tower Advisory Services Grows Position in McDonald’s Co. (NYSE:MCD)

Strong Tower Advisory Services raised its position in McDonald’s Co. (NYSE:MCD) by 4.6% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 7,133 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock after buying an additional 314 shares during the quarter. Strong Tower Advisory Services’ holdings in McDonald’s were worth $2,068,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC purchased a new position in McDonald’s during the 3rd quarter worth $25,000. RPg Family Wealth Advisory LLC acquired a new position in McDonald’s during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Hara Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of McDonald’s in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $44,000. Peterson Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of McDonald’s in the third quarter valued at approximately $58,000. Finally, FSA Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in McDonald’s during the third quarter worth $72,000. 70.29% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity at McDonald’s

In other news, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 1,099 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $292.38, for a total value of $321,325.62. Following the sale, the insider now owns 10,385 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,036,366.30. This represents a 9.57 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Marion K. Gross sold 1,499 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $294.51, for a total transaction of $441,470.49. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 1,560 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $459,435.60. The trade was a 49.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 9,704 shares of company stock worth $2,829,428 over the last three months. Company insiders own 0.23% of the company’s stock.

McDonald’s Stock Up 0.4 %

NYSE:MCD opened at $280.90 on Monday. McDonald’s Co. has a 1-year low of $243.53 and a 1-year high of $317.90. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $292.54 and a 200 day simple moving average of $287.24. The firm has a market capitalization of $201.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.67 and a beta of 0.73.

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 29th. The fast-food giant reported $3.23 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.18 by $0.05. McDonald’s had a net margin of 31.79% and a negative return on equity of 175.42%. The company had revenue of $6.87 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.82 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $3.19 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 2.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts predict that McDonald’s Co. will post 11.73 earnings per share for the current year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. Argus raised McDonald’s from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 8th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their target price on McDonald’s from $315.00 to $335.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on shares of McDonald’s from $284.00 to $325.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, September 24th. Robert W. Baird lowered shares of McDonald’s from an “outperform” rating to a “neutral” rating and dropped their price objective for the company from $320.00 to $290.00 in a research note on Wednesday, October 23rd. Finally, UBS Group lifted their target price on McDonald’s from $305.00 to $345.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 9th. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, McDonald’s currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $321.39.

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.