Wesbanco Bank Inc. Reduces Holdings in McDonald’s Co. (NYSE:MCD)

Wesbanco Bank Inc. lowered its position in McDonald’s Co. (NYSE:MCD) by 2.1% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 32,316 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock after selling 705 shares during the period. Wesbanco Bank Inc.’s holdings in McDonald’s were worth $9,368,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of MCD. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new position in McDonald’s in the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. RPg Family Wealth Advisory LLC acquired a new position in shares of McDonald’s during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Hara Capital LLC acquired a new position in McDonald’s in the 3rd quarter valued at $44,000. Peterson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new position in McDonald’s in the 3rd quarter valued at $58,000. Finally, FSA Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in McDonald’s in the 3rd 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 %

MCD stock opened at $281.30 on Thursday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $291.81 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $287.95. The stock has a market cap of $201.58 billion, a PE ratio of 24.70, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.68 and a beta of 0.73. McDonald’s Co. has a 1 year low of $243.53 and a 1 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 (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.18 by $0.05. The business had revenue of $6.87 billion during 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%. McDonald’s’s revenue was up 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $3.19 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that McDonald’s Co. will post 11.73 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at McDonald’s

In other news, EVP Marion K. Gross sold 1,499 shares of the company’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 completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 1,560 shares in the company, valued at approximately $459,435.60. This represents a 49.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Desiree Ralls-Morrison sold 3,409 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, December 30th. The stock was 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 of the company’s stock, valued at $2,807,201.25. This trade represents a 26.05 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 8,605 shares of company stock valued at $2,508,102. 0.23% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have issued reports on MCD shares. KeyCorp upped their target price on McDonald’s from $305.00 to $330.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, October 7th. Bank of America lifted their price objective on McDonald’s from $321.00 to $324.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 30th. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on McDonald’s from $340.00 to $336.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday. Baird R W cut McDonald’s from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 23rd. Finally, Guggenheim lowered McDonald’s from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and dropped their target price 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 eighteen have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company 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.