Paragon Financial Partners Inc. Decreases Stake in McDonald’s Co. (NYSE:MCD)

Paragon Financial Partners Inc. lowered its stake in McDonald’s Co. (NYSE:MCD) by 4.0% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 3,665 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock after selling 152 shares during the period. McDonald’s accounts for 0.8% of Paragon Financial Partners Inc.’s holdings, making the stock its 24th biggest position. Paragon Financial Partners Inc.’s holdings in McDonald’s were worth $1,062,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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

McDonald’s Trading Down 0.5 %

NYSE:MCD opened at $281.30 on Thursday. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $291.81 and its 200-day moving average price is $287.95. The company has a market cap of $201.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.70, a P/E/G ratio of 3.68 and a beta of 0.73. McDonald’s Co. has a twelve month low of $243.53 and a twelve month high of $317.90.

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) last posted its quarterly 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. The firm had revenue of $6.87 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.82 billion. McDonald’s had a net margin of 31.79% and a negative return on equity of 175.42%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $3.19 earnings per share. On average, analysts expect that McDonald’s Co. will post 11.73 earnings per share for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other McDonald’s news, EVP Desiree Ralls-Morrison sold 3,409 shares of McDonald’s stock in a transaction dated 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 directly owns 9,675 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,807,201.25. The trade was a 26.05 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Marion K. Gross sold 1,499 shares of McDonald’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 1st. The stock was 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 in the company, valued at $459,435.60. This trade represents a 49.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 8,605 shares of company stock valued at $2,508,102 over the last ninety days. Company insiders own 0.23% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MCD has been the topic of several analyst reports. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on shares of McDonald’s from $340.00 to $336.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday. TD Cowen restated a “hold” rating and set a $300.00 price target on shares of McDonald’s in a research report on Tuesday, October 29th. Wedbush restated an “outperform” rating and set a $295.00 price target on shares of McDonald’s in a research report on Wednesday, October 23rd. Baird R W lowered shares of McDonald’s from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 23rd. Finally, Robert W. Baird lowered shares of McDonald’s from an “outperform” rating to a “neutral” rating and dropped their price target for the company from $320.00 to $290.00 in a research report on Wednesday, October 23rd. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, McDonald’s currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $321.22.

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.