Keystone Financial Planning Inc. Sells 2,422 Shares of McDonald’s Corporation $MCD

Keystone Financial Planning Inc. lowered its stake in McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) by 28.6% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 6,046 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock after selling 2,422 shares during the quarter. McDonald’s comprises approximately 0.4% of Keystone Financial Planning Inc.’s holdings, making the stock its 25th largest holding. Keystone Financial Planning Inc.’s holdings in McDonald’s were worth $1,634,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Bouchey Financial Group Ltd. raised its position in shares of McDonald’s by 2.8% in the 2nd quarter. Bouchey Financial Group Ltd. now owns 3,779 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $1,022,000 after acquiring an additional 103 shares during the period. Core Capital Management & Research inc. bought a new position in McDonald’s during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $384,000. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC grew its holdings in McDonald’s by 0.3% during the second quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 144,126 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $38,959,000 after purchasing an additional 447 shares during the period. Archford Capital Strategies LLC grew its holdings in McDonald’s by 1.8% during the second quarter. Archford Capital Strategies LLC now owns 3,628 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $981,000 after purchasing an additional 64 shares during the period. Finally, National Pension Service increased its stake in McDonald’s by 2.7% in the second quarter. National Pension Service now owns 1,658,379 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock valued at $448,276,000 after purchasing an additional 43,114 shares in the last quarter. 70.29% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

MCD has been the topic of several analyst reports. Citigroup increased their target price on shares of McDonald’s from $335.00 to $345.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 5th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on shares of McDonald’s from $322.00 to $319.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, August 5th. Argus lowered their price objective on shares of McDonald’s from $320.00 to $310.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, August 26th. Mizuho dropped their price objective on McDonald’s from $300.00 to $290.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, July 31st. Finally, TD Cowen reiterated a “hold” rating on shares of McDonald’s in a report on Tuesday, August 4th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Buy rating and eleven have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $321.35.

Key Stories Impacting McDonald’s

Here are the key news stories impacting McDonald’s this week:

• Positive Sentiment: McDonald’s is launching several traffic-driving initiatives, including a one-day $1 cheeseburger promotion, new SpongeBob and One Piece Happy Meal toys, and a first-of-its-kind fall flavor in Canada replacing the company’s traditional pumpkin-spice offering. These campaigns could support customer visits and seasonal sales, although their financial impact is likely limited. McDonald’s Is Offering $1 Cheeseburgers
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts continue to view McDonald’s as a relatively defensive consumer stock amid uncertainty around inflation and Federal Reserve policy. Its franchise-heavy model, global scale and dividend profile may provide support if market volatility increases. Defensive Stocks to Watch
• Neutral Sentiment: McDonald’s is slowing its restaurant expansion pace to protect returns as development costs rise and consumers remain price-sensitive. The strategy may improve the economics of new locations, but it also implies a more measured growth outlook. McDonald’s Slower Expansion Pace
• Negative Sentiment: McDonald’s reportedly faces potentially significant fines related to the use of disposable cups. If confirmed, the penalties could increase costs and add to environmental-compliance risk. McDonald’s Faces Millions in Fines
• Negative Sentiment: Some consumer coverage criticizes new menu items and reduced children’s amenities, potentially highlighting affordability, value and customer-experience concerns. These stories are primarily reputational and are unlikely to materially affect near-term financial results on their own.

McDonald’s Stock Performance

Shares of MCD stock opened at $253.59 on Thursday. McDonald’s Corporation has a 52 week low of $253.35 and a 52 week high of $341.75. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $268.81 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $287.58. The company has a market capitalization of $179.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 0.41.

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The fast-food giant reported $3.38 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.32 by $0.06. McDonald’s had a net margin of 31.72% and a negative return on equity of 572.06%. The company had revenue of $7.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $7.13 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $3.19 earnings per share. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 3.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts forecast that McDonald’s Corporation will post 12.88 earnings per share for the current year.

McDonald’s Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 16th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 1st will be paid a $1.86 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 1st. This represents a $7.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.9%. McDonald’s’s dividend payout ratio is presently 60.44%.

About McDonald’s

McDonald’s Corporation is a global quick-service restaurant company that operates and franchises restaurants under the McDonald’s brand. Its restaurants serve a menu that includes hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches, French fries, breakfast items, desserts, salads, beverages and coffee. Offerings vary by market, and many locations provide drive-thru service, delivery and digital ordering through the McDonald’s mobile app.

The company operates through a heavily franchised business model, with restaurants owned and operated by independent franchisees, affiliates and the company itself.