Argus upgraded shares of McDonald's Co. (NYSE:MCD) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report released on Wednesday morning, The Fly reports. The firm currently has $140.00 target price on the fast-food giant’s stock, up from their previous target price of $120.43.

In other news, insider Douglas M. Goare sold 32,230 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $120.49, for a total transaction of $3,883,392.70. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 3,245 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $390,990.05. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, VP Richard R. Floersch sold 23,910 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $113.67, for a total transaction of $2,717,849.70. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 21,310 shares in the company, valued at $2,422,307.70. The disclosure for this sale can be found here.

Other institutional investors recently bought and sold shares of the company. Leavell Investment Management Inc. boosted its position in McDonald's Co. by 5.0% in the fourth quarter. Leavell Investment Management Inc. now owns 37,810 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $4,467,000 after buying an additional 1,800 shares during the period. Appleton Partners Inc. MA boosted its position in McDonald's Co. by 11.8% in the fourth quarter. Appleton Partners Inc. MA now owns 33,609 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $3,971,000 after buying an additional 3,553 shares during the period. First National Bank & Trust Co. of Newtown boosted its position in McDonald's Co. by 1.9% in the fourth quarter. First National Bank & Trust Co. of Newtown now owns 15,299 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $1,808,000 after buying an additional 280 shares during the period. United Bank VA boosted its position in McDonald's Co. by 6.1% in the fourth quarter. United Bank VA now owns 26,436 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $3,123,000 after buying an additional 1,521 shares during the period. Finally, Mizuho Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its position in McDonald's Co. by 12.4% in the fourth quarter. Mizuho Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 11,735 shares of the fast-food giant’s stock worth $1,386,000 after buying an additional 1,294 shares during the period.

Several other research analysts have also recently commented on the stock. RBC Capital boosted their price target on shares of McDonald's Co. from $110.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, October 23rd. SunTrust began coverage on shares of McDonald's Co. in a report on Wednesday, October 7th. They set a buy rating and a $117.00 price target for the company. Zacks Investment Research upgraded shares of McDonald's Co. from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $132.00 price target for the company in a report on Monday, January 4th. Credit Suisse set a $112.00 price target on shares of McDonald's Co. and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, October 5th. Finally, S&P Equity Research reiterated a hold rating on shares of McDonald's Co. in a report on Friday, October 23rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have given a hold rating and sixteen have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. The stock currently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $122.41.

McDonald's Co. (NYSE:MCD) traded up 0.67% during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $124.61. 6,189,906 shares of the stock were exchanged. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $118.26 and a 200 day moving average price of $107.23. McDonald's Co. has a 52-week low of $87.50 and a 52-week high of $124.83. The firm has a market cap of $114.42 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.98.

McDonald's Co. (NYSE:MCD) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, January 25th. The fast-food giant reported $1.31 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.23 by $0.08. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.22 EPS. The business earned $6.34 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.22 billion. The company’s revenue for the quarter was down 3.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts anticipate that McDonald's Co. will post $5.38 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 1st will be paid a dividend of $0.89 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 26th. This represents a $3.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.86%.

McDonald’s Corporation operates and franchises McDonald’s restaurants. McDonald’s global system comprises both Company-owned and franchised restaurants. The Company manages its business as distinct geographic segments: the United States (NYSE:MCD); Europe, and Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa (APMEA). The Company’s operations in Canada and Latin America, as well as its Corporate activities are reported under Other Countries & Corporate. The Company’s restaurants offer a substantially uniform menu, including hamburgers and cheeseburgers, Big Mac, Quarter Pounder with Cheese, Filet-O-Fish, several chicken sandwiches, Chicken McNuggets, wraps, French fries, salads, oatmeal, shakes, McFlurry desserts, sundaes, soft serve cones, pies, soft drinks, coffee, McCafe beverages and other beverages. McDonald’s franchised restaurants are owned and operated under one of the following structures: conventional franchise, developmental license or affiliate.

12 Month Chart for NYSE:MCD

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