Apexium Financial LP Boosts Stake in McDonald’s Co. (NYSE:MCD)

Apexium Financial LP lifted its stake in shares of McDonald’s Co. (NYSE:MCD) by 43.6% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 2,685 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock after buying an additional 815 shares during the period. Apexium Financial LP’s holdings in McDonald’s were worth $778,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

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

McDonald’s Stock Performance

Shares of McDonald’s stock opened at $285.37 on Monday. The company has a market cap of $204.50 billion, a PE ratio of 25.05, a P/E/G ratio of 3.66 and a beta of 0.73. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $291.07 and a 200-day simple moving average of $288.43. McDonald’s Co. has a one year low of $243.53 and a one year high of $317.90.

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, October 29th. The fast-food giant reported $3.23 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.18 by $0.05. McDonald’s had a negative return on equity of 175.42% and a net margin of 31.79%. The business had revenue of $6.87 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.82 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $3.19 EPS. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts predict that McDonald’s Co. will post 11.72 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have weighed in on MCD shares. Bank of America lifted their price objective 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. Truist Financial cut their price objective on McDonald’s from $350.00 to $342.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 30th. Argus upgraded McDonald’s from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 8th. Guggenheim cut McDonald’s from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and reduced their target price for the company from $290.00 to $285.00 in a report on Wednesday, October 23rd. Finally, BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on McDonald’s from $315.00 to $335.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 30th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $320.78.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other McDonald’s news, EVP Marion K. Gross sold 1,499 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, November 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $294.51, for a total transaction of $441,470.49. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 1,560 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $459,435.60. This trade represents a 49.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Desiree Ralls-Morrison sold 3,409 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $290.15, for a total value of $989,121.35. Following the completion of 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 90 days, insiders have sold 8,905 shares of company stock valued at $2,592,327. 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.