Citigroup Has Lowered Expectations for McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) Stock Price

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) had its target price decreased by research analysts at Citigroup from $360.00 to $353.00 in a report issued on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a “buy” rating on the fast-food giant’s stock. Citigroup’s target price indicates a potential upside of 12.75% from the stock’s current price.

A number of other research analysts have also commented on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on McDonald’s from $280.00 to $300.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 11th. Robert W. Baird raised their target price on shares of McDonald’s from $305.00 to $310.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 11th. Wedbush upped their price target on shares of McDonald’s from $320.00 to $330.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 11th. Bank of America boosted their target price on McDonald’s from $312.00 to $316.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 11th. Finally, Piper Sandler decreased their price target on McDonald’s from $297.00 to $290.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, sixteen have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $323.30.

McDonald’s Stock Down 0.2 %

MCD stock opened at $313.08 on Thursday. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $303.38 and its 200 day simple moving average is $298.56. The stock has a market cap of $223.69 billion, a PE ratio of 27.28, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.10 and a beta of 0.71. McDonald’s has a fifty-two week low of $243.53 and a fifty-two week high of $326.32.

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

Insider Activity

In other McDonald’s news, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 300 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, January 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $280.75, for a total value of $84,225.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 7,887 shares in the company, valued at $2,214,275.25. This represents a 3.66 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Christopher J. Kempczinski sold 10,500 shares of McDonald’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $310.05, for a total transaction of $3,255,525.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 32,756 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $10,155,997.80. This trade represents a 24.27 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 27,497 shares of company stock worth $8,461,400 in the last 90 days. Company insiders own 0.23% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On McDonald’s

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC bought a new position in McDonald’s during the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Mascagni Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of McDonald’s in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Atala Financial Inc acquired a new stake in shares of McDonald’s in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Comprehensive Financial Planning Inc. PA bought a new stake in McDonald’s in the fourth quarter worth $27,000. Finally, Collier Financial bought a new position in McDonald’s during the fourth quarter valued at about $29,000. 70.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About McDonald’s

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.