World Equity Group Inc. Buys 5,492 Shares of McDonald’s Co. (NYSE:MCD)

World Equity Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of McDonald’s Co. (NYSE:MCD) by 92.6% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 11,422 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock after acquiring an additional 5,492 shares during the period. World Equity Group Inc.’s holdings in McDonald’s were worth $3,311,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC bought a new position in McDonald’s in the third quarter valued at $25,000. Comprehensive Financial Planning Inc. PA acquired a new stake in McDonald’s in the fourth quarter valued at $27,000. Collier Financial acquired a new stake in McDonald’s in the fourth quarter valued at $29,000. RPg Family Wealth Advisory LLC acquired a new stake in McDonald’s in the third quarter valued at $31,000. Finally, Marshall Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in McDonald’s in the fourth quarter valued at $37,000. Institutional investors own 70.29% of the company’s stock.

McDonald’s Stock Up 0.6 %

MCD stock opened at $304.76 on Friday. McDonald’s Co. has a 12 month low of $243.53 and a 12 month high of $317.90. The firm has a market cap of $218.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.76, a P/E/G ratio of 3.10 and a beta of 0.74. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $292.61 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $293.92.

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) last released its earnings results on Monday, February 10th. The fast-food giant reported $2.83 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $2.83. McDonald’s had a net margin of 31.73% and a negative return on equity of 181.63%. Equities analysts predict that McDonald’s Co. will post 12.25 EPS for the current year.

McDonald’s Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 17th. Investors of record on Monday, March 3rd will be issued a dividend of $1.77 per share. This represents a $7.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.32%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 3rd. McDonald’s’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 62.16%.

Insider Activity at McDonald’s

In related news, CEO Christopher J. Kempczinski sold 10,500 shares of McDonald’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $310.05, for a total transaction of $3,255,525.00. Following the sale, 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 transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Desiree Ralls-Morrison sold 3,409 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $290.15, for a total transaction of $989,121.35. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 9,675 shares in the company, valued at $2,807,201.25. This trade represents a 26.05 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 22,205 shares of company stock valued at $6,703,569. 0.23% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have commented on MCD shares. Loop Capital reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $342.00 price target on shares of McDonald’s in a research note on Friday, January 3rd. BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on shares of McDonald’s from $335.00 to $340.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 11th. Piper Sandler cut their target price on shares of McDonald’s from $297.00 to $290.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on shares of McDonald’s from $336.00 to $340.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 11th. Finally, KeyCorp raised their target price on shares of McDonald’s from $320.00 to $335.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 11th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and sixteen have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $323.61.

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.