ERn Financial LLC Raises Stock Holdings in McDonald’s Co. (NYSE:MCD)

ERn Financial LLC raised its holdings in shares of McDonald’s Co. (NYSE:MCD) by 3.0% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 1,624 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock after purchasing an additional 48 shares during the period. ERn Financial LLC’s holdings in McDonald’s were worth $471,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC bought a new stake in McDonald’s in the third quarter worth $25,000. RPg Family Wealth Advisory LLC purchased a new stake in McDonald’s during the 3rd quarter valued at about $31,000. Hara Capital LLC purchased a new stake in McDonald’s during the 3rd quarter valued at about $44,000. Peterson Financial Group Inc. bought a new stake in McDonald’s during the 3rd quarter valued at about $58,000. Finally, FSA Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in McDonald’s in the third quarter worth about $72,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.29% of the company’s stock.

McDonald’s Trading Down 1.0 %

NYSE MCD opened at $279.56 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $200.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.54, a PEG ratio of 3.67 and a beta of 0.73. McDonald’s Co. has a 12 month low of $243.53 and a 12 month high of $317.90. The company’s 50 day moving average is $293.20 and its two-hundred day moving average is $286.80.

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, October 29th. The fast-food giant reported $3.23 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.18 by $0.05. McDonald’s had a net margin of 31.79% and a negative return on equity of 175.42%. The company had revenue of $6.87 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.82 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $3.19 EPS. McDonald’s’s revenue for the quarter was up 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts forecast that McDonald’s Co. will post 11.73 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MCD has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. UBS Group increased their price target on shares of McDonald’s from $305.00 to $345.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 9th. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on McDonald’s from $296.00 to $340.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 15th. BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on McDonald’s from $315.00 to $335.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. Barclays boosted their target price on McDonald’s from $300.00 to $325.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 22nd. Finally, Bank of America raised their price target on shares of McDonald’s from $321.00 to $324.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, McDonald’s currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $321.39.

Insider Transactions at McDonald’s

In related news, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 1,099 shares of McDonald’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $292.38, for a total value of $321,325.62. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 10,385 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,036,366.30. This trade represents a 9.57 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Desiree Ralls-Morrison sold 3,409 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Monday, December 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $290.15, for a total transaction of $989,121.35. Following 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. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 9,704 shares of company stock valued at $2,829,428. 0.23% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

About McDonald’s

McDonald's Corporation operates and franchises restaurants under the McDonald's brand in the United States and internationally. It offers food and beverages, including hamburgers and cheeseburgers, various chicken sandwiches, fries, shakes, desserts, sundaes, cookies, pies, soft drinks, coffee, and other beverages; and full or limited breakfast, as well as sells various other products during limited-time promotions.