McDonald’s Corporation $MCD Shares Sold by Toth Financial Advisory Corp

Toth Financial Advisory Corp decreased its position in shares of McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) by 18.7% in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 23,705 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock after selling 5,465 shares during the quarter. Toth Financial Advisory Corp’s holdings in McDonald’s were worth $5,474,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Abound Financial LLC bought a new position in McDonald’s in the 4th quarter valued at about $30,000. Purpose Unlimited Inc. purchased a new position in McDonald’s in the 4th quarter worth about $31,000. GKV Capital Management Co. Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of McDonald’s during the first quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Merkkuri Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of McDonald’s during the first quarter valued at $43,000. Finally, Financial Life Planners purchased a new stake in shares of McDonald’s in the first quarter worth approximately $51,000. Institutional investors own 70.29% of the company’s stock.

McDonald’s Stock Performance

MCD stock traded up $5.87 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $236.75. 3,602,911 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,182,015. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $256.66 and its 200-day moving average price is $275.31. McDonald’s Corporation has a one year low of $229.20 and a one year high of $341.75. The company has a market cap of $167.54 billion, a PE ratio of 19.25, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.60 and a beta of 0.44.

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The fast-food giant reported $3.38 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.32 by $0.06. The firm had revenue of $7.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.13 billion. McDonald’s had a net margin of 31.72% and a negative return on equity of 572.06%. The business’s revenue was up 3.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $3.19 earnings per share. On average, analysts expect that McDonald’s Corporation will post 12.85 EPS for the current year.

McDonald’s Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 1st will be issued a $1.93 dividend. This represents a $7.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.3%. This is a boost from McDonald’s’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.86. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 1st. McDonald’s’s dividend payout ratio is 60.44%.

Key Headlines Impacting McDonald’s

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

• Positive Sentiment: McDonald’s increased its quarterly dividend and accelerated the timing of its dividend decision, reinforcing its appeal as an income stock. The appointment of a new U.S. president could also help address softer domestic traffic and improve execution. What Is McDonald’s Signaling With Its Faster Dividend And New US Chief?
• Positive Sentiment: Some analysts view McDonald’s compressed valuation, high-margin franchise model and strong cash generation as attractive after the stock’s decline. One Seeking Alpha analysis characterized the shares as an upgrade opportunity. McDonald’s: Same-Store Sales Are An Overrated Metric
• Positive Sentiment: The company’s $8.5 billion “McDonald’s Next” remodeling initiative, including renewed emphasis on customer experience and PlayPlace locations, could support traffic and strengthen the brand over time. The Monopoly promotion, featuring a $1 million prize and digital gameplay, provides an additional near-term marketing boost. McDonald’s Wants Its Franchisees to Modernize
• Neutral Sentiment: Sanford C. Bernstein lowered its price target from $295 to $250 and kept a “market perform” rating. The revised target still implies upside, but the cut signals reduced confidence in McDonald’s growth trajectory. Bernstein McDonald’s Price Target Update
• Negative Sentiment: McDonald’s faces a proposed federal class-action antitrust lawsuit alleging that its AI-assisted pricing tool shares nonpublic sales data and facilitates price coordination among franchisees. McDonald’s denies the allegations and says AI does not set menu prices, but the case creates legal, regulatory and reputational risk. McDonald’s sued over alleged AI-powered menu price-fixing
• Negative Sentiment: U.S. franchisees are reportedly resisting remodeling costs of at least $800,000 per restaurant. The pushback could delay the turnaround plan, pressure franchisee economics and increase execution risk. McDonald’s Franchisees Push Back on Remodeling Costs
• Negative Sentiment: Reports that value promotions are not bringing customers back, alongside complaints about higher prices and smaller portions, highlight continuing traffic and consumer-perception problems.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages recently commented on MCD. Robert W. Baird lowered their price target on McDonald’s from $285.00 to $250.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, September 24th. TD Cowen dropped their target price on shares of McDonald’s from $282.00 to $270.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, September 24th. HC Wainwright set a $250.00 price objective on McDonald’s in a research report on Friday, September 25th. Guggenheim dropped their target price on McDonald’s from $290.00 to $250.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Monday. Finally, Gordon Haskett reduced their price target on shares of McDonald’s from $315.00 to $285.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, September 24th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have assigned a Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $295.94.

McDonald’s Profile

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.