GHP Investment Advisors Inc. Trims Position in McDonald’s Co. (NYSE:MCD)

GHP Investment Advisors Inc. trimmed its position in McDonald’s Co. (NYSE:MCD) by 1.6% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 2,511 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock after selling 42 shares during the period. GHP Investment Advisors Inc.’s holdings in McDonald’s were worth $728,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in MCD. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC bought a new position in McDonald’s in the third quarter worth approximately $25,000. RPg Family Wealth Advisory LLC purchased a new stake in shares of McDonald’s in the 3rd quarter worth $31,000. Hara Capital LLC bought a new position in McDonald’s in the 3rd quarter worth $44,000. Financial Life Planners purchased a new position in McDonald’s during the fourth quarter valued at $49,000. Finally, Peterson Financial Group Inc. bought a new stake in McDonald’s during the third quarter valued at about $58,000. 70.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling at McDonald’s

In other McDonald’s news, EVP Marion K. Gross sold 1,499 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, January 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $290.95, for a total value of $436,134.05. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 1,560 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $453,882. This trade represents a 49.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 1,099 shares of the company’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 value of $319,918.90. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 8,187 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,383,235.70. This represents a 11.84 % 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 quarter. Insiders own 0.23% of the company’s stock.

McDonald’s Stock Performance

Shares of McDonald’s stock opened at $294.39 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $210.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.85, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.83 and a beta of 0.74. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $290.73 and a 200-day moving average price of $290.40. McDonald’s Co. has a one year low of $243.53 and a one year high of $317.90.

McDonald’s Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 3rd will be paid a dividend of $1.77 per share. This represents a $7.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.40%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 3rd. McDonald’s’s payout ratio is 62.16%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on MCD. Robert W. Baird cut McDonald’s from an “outperform” rating to a “neutral” rating and lowered their price objective for the company from $320.00 to $290.00 in a research report on Wednesday, October 23rd. Wedbush reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $295.00 price target on shares of McDonald’s in a report on Wednesday, October 23rd. KeyCorp reduced their price objective on shares of McDonald’s from $330.00 to $320.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 24th. Loop Capital restated a “buy” rating and set a $342.00 target price on shares of McDonald’s in a research note on Friday, January 3rd. Finally, Guggenheim cut McDonald’s from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and decreased their price target for the company from $290.00 to $285.00 in a report on Wednesday, October 23rd. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and sixteen have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $318.86.

McDonald’s Profile

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.