Principle Wealth Partners LLC Lowers Holdings in McDonald’s Co. (NYSE:MCD)

Principle Wealth Partners LLC trimmed its holdings in shares of McDonald’s Co. (NYSE:MCD) by 0.3% in the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 67,779 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock after selling 173 shares during the period. McDonald’s accounts for about 1.4% of Principle Wealth Partners LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 14th biggest holding. Principle Wealth Partners LLC’s holdings in McDonald’s were worth $19,648,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of MCD. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in shares of McDonald’s during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Comprehensive Financial Planning Inc. PA acquired a new stake in shares of McDonald’s during the fourth quarter valued at $27,000. RPg Family Wealth Advisory LLC purchased a new stake in shares of McDonald’s during the third quarter worth about $31,000. Hara Capital LLC acquired a new position in McDonald’s in the 3rd quarter valued at $44,000. Finally, Financial Life Planners purchased a new position in McDonald’s during the fourth quarter worth about $49,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.29% of the company’s stock.

McDonald’s Trading Up 4.7 %

Shares of NYSE:MCD opened at $308.22 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $220.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.06, a P/E/G ratio of 4.08 and a beta of 0.74. McDonald’s Co. has a twelve month low of $243.53 and a twelve month high of $317.90. The company has a 50 day moving average of $290.70 and a 200-day moving average of $291.16.

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 10th. The fast-food giant reported $2.83 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.83. McDonald’s had a net margin of 31.79% and a negative return on equity of 175.42%. Equities research analysts forecast that McDonald’s Co. will post 11.73 EPS for the current year.

McDonald’s Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 3rd will be issued a dividend of $1.77 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $7.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.30%. McDonald’s’s payout ratio is presently 62.16%.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 1,099 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $291.10, for a total transaction of $319,918.90. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 8,187 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,383,235.70. This trade represents a 11.84 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Marion K. Gross sold 1,499 shares of McDonald’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, January 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $290.95, for a total transaction of $436,134.05. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 1,560 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $453,882. The trade was a 49.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 7,406 shares of company stock worth $2,150,857 over the last 90 days. 0.23% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have weighed in on MCD. Wedbush reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $295.00 price target on shares of McDonald’s in a report on Wednesday, October 23rd. BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on McDonald’s from $315.00 to $335.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. Guggenheim downgraded McDonald’s from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and lowered their target price for the company from $290.00 to $285.00 in a research note on Wednesday, October 23rd. TD Cowen restated a “hold” rating and issued a $300.00 price target on shares of McDonald’s in a research note on Tuesday, October 29th. Finally, Robert W. Baird cut McDonald’s from an “outperform” rating to a “neutral” rating and cut their price objective for the company from $320.00 to $290.00 in a research note on Wednesday, October 23rd. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and sixteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $319.13.

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, Russia, Spain, and the U.K.