McDonald's Co. (NYSE:MCD) Shares Bought by MML Investors Services LLC

MML Investors Services LLC raised its position in shares of McDonald's Co. (NYSE:MCD - Free Report) by 3.5% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 122,403 shares of the fast-food giant's stock after buying an additional 4,113 shares during the quarter. MML Investors Services LLC's holdings in McDonald's were worth $35,483,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of MCD. Morse Asset Management Inc raised its stake in McDonald's by 12.8% in the third quarter. Morse Asset Management Inc now owns 3,385 shares of the fast-food giant's stock valued at $1,031,000 after buying an additional 385 shares during the last quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC raised its position in shares of McDonald's by 11.6% in the 3rd quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC now owns 1,537 shares of the fast-food giant's stock valued at $468,000 after purchasing an additional 160 shares during the last quarter. Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new stake in McDonald's in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $1,647,000. Diamant Asset Management Inc. grew its position in McDonald's by 1.9% during the 3rd quarter. Diamant Asset Management Inc. now owns 9,544 shares of the fast-food giant's stock worth $2,906,000 after purchasing an additional 180 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Tudor Financial Inc. purchased a new position in shares of McDonald's in the third quarter worth $394,000. 70.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

McDonald's Stock Down 0.2 %

Shares of McDonald's stock traded down $0.50 on Wednesday, hitting $318.58. 3,209,437 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,587,537. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $307.59 and a 200 day moving average price of $299.47. The stock has a market capitalization of $227.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.10 and a beta of 0.62. McDonald's Co. has a 1-year low of $243.53 and a 1-year high of $326.32.

McDonald's (NYSE:MCD - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 10th. The fast-food giant reported $2.83 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting analysts' consensus estimates of $2.83. McDonald's had a negative return on equity of 181.63% and a net margin of 31.73%. Research analysts forecast that McDonald's Co. will post 12.25 EPS for the current year.

McDonald's Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 3rd were issued a $1.77 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $7.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.22%. McDonald's's payout ratio is 62.16%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. Erste Group Bank upgraded McDonald's from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Monday, March 17th. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on McDonald's from $340.00 to $335.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Monday, March 17th. BMO Capital Markets upped their target price on McDonald's from $335.00 to $340.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 11th. Wedbush raised their price target on shares of McDonald's from $320.00 to $330.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 11th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of McDonald's from $280.00 to $300.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 11th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, sixteen have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, McDonald's currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $322.74.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 300 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, January 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $280.75, for a total transaction of $84,225.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 7,887 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,214,275.25. This trade represents a 3.66 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Tiffanie L. Boyd sold 1,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $309.27, for a total transaction of $309,270.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 5,564 shares in the company, valued at $1,720,778.28. The trade was a 15.23 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 28,436 shares of company stock valued at $8,760,472 in the last 90 days. Company insiders own 0.23% of the company's stock.

McDonald's Profile

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.