McDonalds

How to Buy McDonald’s Stock

June 15, 2017 By Alexa Mason 2 Comments

If you're looking to purchase McDonald's stock this post will walk you through how to do that step by step.

McDonald’s is one of the largest companies in the world. The company has locations in just about every country and makes billions of dollars each year. McDonald’s does a great job of keeping its customers and stockholders engaged as well. There are constantly new promotions and ideas being launched within the company and, if there’s a lag, the McRib can always come back.

Because MD’s is such a popular and successful restaurant many people want to know how to buy McDonald’s stock. If you’ve never bought stock before, below is a step by step guide on how to buy McDonald’s stock.

How to Buy McDonald’s Stock

There are many ways you can buy McDonalds stock. You can contact your local brokerage or buy it through one of the many online brokerage websites. You can also go through the McDonald’s site itself. If you’re looking to buy McDonald’s stock you may want to check out an online brokerage company.

Picking the right brokerage company for your needs can be difficult. If you are a more active trader you may want to search for a broker with lower fees, or maybe you are a trader that likes to hold on to their stock and need a company with no transaction fees at all.

Most online brokerage companies charge a fee of $5 to $10 for handling your investments. You can even begin trading with some more traditional companies like Scottrade, Fidelity and Charles Scwab. The online broker I’d recommend for buying McDonald’s stock, however, is Ally.

Ally is a great place to start trading, especially if you’re looking at a specific stock. The company prides itself on providing traders with all the tools they need to become a do-it-yourself trader. Another great thing about Ally is that there is no account opening minimum and they keep all of their fees extremely low. You pay a flat $4.95 for Stock and ETF Trades, $0.65 + $4.95 base for Options trading and $1 on bonds (minimum of $10 for bonds trading).

If you’re interested in how to buy McDonald’s stock through Ally you’ll want to set up an account for yourself. Ally provides research materials and various other tools for all of its traders so if you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t worry. They’ve got you covered.

Once you’ve set up your account you can begin searching for McDonald’s stock and any other stock you may be interested in. You’ll want to set up either a one-time purchase of stock or a recurring monthly amount. Currently to stock price of McDonald’s is over $150.

After You Invest

Once you’ve figured out how to buy McDonald’s stock you can begin investing elsewhere too. Ally offers its investors great trading options with a plethora of successful companies (and it takes way less time than a traditional broker). Making your first investment is exciting. Remember, even if it is only a little bit every month it is better than nothing at all. Open an Ally Invest account today, your wallet will thank you!

Have you invested in McDonald’s stock? How did you do it?

Photo: Roadside Picture

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McDonald’s Decides Against Real Estate Investment Trust

November 11, 2015 By Amanda Blankenship 1 Comment

If you follow the stock market, it seems like McDonald’s, the fast food giant, has been in a prolonged effort to turn its profits around. However, the company made some shocking announcements on Tuesday that have many questioning the company’s approach.

On Tuesday, McDonald’s announced that it would be increasing spending to buy back shares. This will cause the company to accrue a “meaningful” amount of debt, but it will allow it to send more cash to shareholders. MDs CEO Steve Easterbrook also said that the company would not be putting any of its real estate into a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), even though many investors called for it to do just that.

When company officials were asked why they decided not to put any of their assets into an REIT, the company’s Chief Administrative Officer Pete Benson said, “We have concluded that any potential value creation from a REIT is outweighed by the significant financial and operational risks to our business and the continued progress of our turnaround, and we do not believe that pursuing a REIT would be in the best interest of McDonald’s at this time.”

Just one year ago, McDonald’s real estate (which includes rental payments from franchise owners) accounted for about 22 percent of the company’s revenue. Investors and analysts have been suggesting the company’s higher-ups put their real estate assets into a public-traded fund. By placing its real estate into an REIT, McDonald’s would have been provided tax advantages and would have been able to offset the declining profits.

Easterbrook said McDonald’s decided not to put its real estate into an REIT after determining “the potential upside is not compelling.”

The third quarter this year was the first good quarter McDonald’s has seen in nine sessions. While the company did see an increase in the previous session, many of its investors believe that the company should have made the decision to put its real estate in an REIT.

“We’ve begun to feel traction take hold in the business,” Easterbrook said. “And while we’re realizing the benefits of our actions in recent weeks, it takes time for the actions underpinning this shift to take root.”

Plans to increase the company’s dividend by 5 percent in the fourth quarter this year was a welcome announcement to the investors, however, borrowing more money was not. Standard & Poor lowered McDonald’s rating one notch from BBB+ to A-.

In addition to plans to increase McDonald’s dividend, the company also announced that they plan to increase the number of restaurants they plan to sell to franchisees. In May, the company said it planned to sell 3,500, but it announced that McDonald’s now plans to sell 4,000 restaurants to franchisees by 2018. The company, which is currently 81-percent franchise-owned aims to be 95-percent franchise-owned.

The company has already begun to make changes like offering breakfast all day. Analysts are still waiting to see any great revenue from the change, but Easterbrook is more than optimistic that the company’s change in menu will provide a significant increase.

Board members said that these actions are an attempt to end its slump. Although McDonald’s saw an increase last quarter, it wants to continue to trend upward, and although they did not take the advice of their investors by putting real estate into an REIT, the company believes it will see an increase soon.

McDonalds Shows Increase At End Of Third Quarter

November 2, 2015 By Guest Writer 1 Comment

Last Thursday, McDonald’s third-quarter earnings results topped the analysts’ forecasts. The long-awaited McDonald’s turnaround might finally be here. The troubled fast food giant announced that their global same-store sales grew by 4 percent in the third quarter of 2015, with the increase driven by growth in several international markets.

Same-store sales at locations that have been open for at least a year rose 0.9 percent in the United States while analysts expected a decline. Overall, McDonald’s profit grew to $1.3 billion for the quarter, from $1.07 billion for the same quarter a year earlier.

McDonald’s ended seven straight quarters of same-store-sales declines in the U.S. McDonald’s ended the losing streak by implementing a turnaround strategy that included customizable burgers and all-day breakfast. The company claims that the new crispy buttermilk chicken sandwich and breakfast increased their sales in the America.

The move appears to have boosted traffic, however, domestic franchisees are complaining that all-day breakfast and customizing sandwiches is making operations difficult and slowing service. McDonald’s Chief Executive Steve Easterbrook said restaurant operators have embraced all-day breakfast, and that an early read suggests it is “an incremental profitable business,” wooing new and existing customers.

McDonald’s said that its decision to raise wages and improve benefits for 90,000 workers in U.S. company-operated restaurants took a chunk out of operating income. Chief Financial Officer Kevin Ozan said the strong U.S. dollar would increase fourth-quarter earnings per share by 8 to 10 cents. McDonald’s gets about one-third of revenue and more than half of its operating income from outside the United States.

The third quarter earnings of the company joined an international increase in world shares worldwide. The world economy as well as private shares are seeing increases for the first time in years and McDonald’s, it appears, is no different.

McDonald’s Introduces New Super Bowl-Sized Game

November 2, 2015 By Amanda Blankenship 1 Comment

McDonald’s has been known for their burger, fries and milkshakes for decades. However, in the most recent years the company has also become known for its sweepstakes games and “free days.” The company’s most recent sweepstakes will be one for the books and it is completely free to win, no purchase necessary.

Are you a Super Bowl fan and 13 years or older? Living in the United States? Then you may want to enter into the McDonald’s Gold Sweepstakes. By entering and playing the sweepstakes game, you could win the top prize: a four night trip to San Francisco, where the Super Bowl is going to be held next year, and tickets for the game in February 2016.

How to play:

There is no purchase necessary to enter the contest. You can a sweepstakes “game piece” by sending your full name and address to McDonald’s Game Time Gold GamePiece Request, P.O. Box 49268, Strongsville, OH 44149.

You can also participate by going to any McDonald’s location and purchasing one of the following:
• Biscuit or McMuffin Sandwiches
• Hash Browns
• Large Fries
• Filet-O-Fish or Big Mac Sandwiches
• 10 or 20-piece Chicken McNuggets
• Medium Fountain Beverages

Ways to win:

Once you’ve gotten a “game piece” through the mail or at a McDonald’s location, peel to reveal your prize. What you see there will determine your prize. You can instantly win a food prize to $50 cash. If you reveal an NFL helmet, there will be a 10-digit code. The code can be submitted by texting 84567 or entering it online at playatmcd.com.

Each week during the game, a team will be named during the NBC Sunday night pre-game show. If the NFL team helmet on your game piece matches the team they name, you’ll be entered into the weekly draw which could win you one of more than 200 prizes. Top prizes include winnings of $500,000 or a trip to the Super Bowl 50.

How long will it last?

The promotion will take place from Nov. 3 until Dec. 21. The grand prize winner announcement will be made on Jan. 4, 2016. If you just so happen to win the grand prize of tickets the Super Bowl, make sure you are free to travel for four night in February for the big game.

McDonalds Prices Are Great, Here Are Ways to Eat There for Even Less

September 23, 2015 By Alexa Mason Leave a Comment

McDonalds is one of the undisputed titans of fast food in the world. Known for its streamlined delivery of burgers, fries, and even coffee shop inspired coffees, McDonalds is also known for its commitment to consumer friendly prices.

In fact, McDonalds is so well known for its consumer friendly prices, many people who looked at the title of this article probably question if it’s even possible to get deeper deals than what are already available on McDonalds current menu. Fortunately it is possible.

If you are over the age of 55 you may be eligible for discounts on coffee. McDonalds is known for its consistent coffee quality and it has begun to offer coffee options under its McCafe menu that range from the classic latte, mochas, or even hot chocolate. If you’re looking to request a discount please note that each McDonalds have different discounts available to their patrons. Also, for those individuals who are over the age of 55 you may want to look at discounts offered via AARP or AAA memberships.

McDonalds has also gone digital. You can download the McDonalds app and receive a free sandwich coupon after downloading the app. Offers do change so you may want to check what the current giveaway is by going online. McDonalds app users will also have access to additional savings information as it becomes available.

While it’s no longer an option to request a super sized portion, you can end up super-sizing your bill by adding multiple options to your initial order. Keep your order simple or embrace the Extra Value Meal menu. If you order off the Extra Value Meal menu your order will also come with a side of fries, salad and a soft drink.

You can also create your own combo by strategically ordering from the dollar menu. In many cases it may be possible to spend less on your own personally crafted meal. The dollar menu offers menu choices ranging from McMuffins, hash browns and coffee for breakfast or the double cheeseburger and sweet tea.

Resist temptation inflation. Because the McDonalds menu is so affordable, people may be tempted to order a much larger meal than they normally would. Over time the habit of ordering meals that are super sized through options will add up and will eat away at any perceived savings that you may have if you just ordered normally.

One would think that there couldn’t possibly be additional ways you can save at McDonalds or other fast food establishments known for their long-standing focus on affordability. Using a few key strategies such as being aware of menu options, thinking outside of the box to craft your own meal combinations, and making sure to ask your local proprietor about age/military/ or educational discounts will help open up additional savings in the long run.

Mcdonald’s Toronto Is Different Than Its Boston Counterpart: Here’s Why

September 23, 2015 By Alexa Mason Leave a Comment

It might come as a surprise to many people that McDonalds menus are actually a bit different all over the world. For those of you who have traveled extensively and eaten McDonalds in a country that’s new to you, you’ve already tread in the murky waters of navigating McDonalds menus that are just a little bit different from what you were initially expecting.

On a trip to Italy I had the best salad of my trip at a local McDonalds. It was an insalata mixta con calamari or mixed salad greens with calamari and a vinaigrette dressing.

This menu variance also is true for the McDonalds located north of the U.S. border in Canada. Many Americans are probably wondering how different could a Canadian McDonalds be compared to their U.S. counterparts? Aren’t we pretty similar? Well on the surface it seems that way, but there are some differences that start before the food even arrives at a local Canadian McDonalds.

Every country has different food regulations. Canada is no different. There are certain additives that are not found in Canadian beef that could potentially be found in American McDonalds burgers.

There are different regional specialties that each country shares with its clientele. This summer Canada rolled out 5 different meals that represented each Canadian province. Those meals were as follows:

• The McLobster
• Cottage Country Chicken
• Maple and Bacon Poutine-Poutine is a delicious dish that includes fries, usually gravy, and cheese curds (which are similar to cheese crumbles)
• Western BBQ Burger
• Chocolate Nanaiona Sunday
There also are different items to be found on the regular Canadian menu. Some items that can be found that typically aren’t found in the U.S. include the following:
• The Chicken Bacon and Onion burger or The CBO
• Mediterranean Veggie Wrap
• Sweet Chili Wrap
• Poutine
• Egg lettuce tomato sandwiches