McDonald's Hikes Dividend 10% - Analyst Blog
26 Settembre 2012 - 8:00PM
Zacks
Oak Brook, Illinois-based McDonald's Corp.
(MCD) recently increased its quarterly dividend by 10% from 70
cents per share paid previously. This equates to an annual pay out
of $3.08 per share. The increased dividend will be paid on December
17, 2012, to stockholders of record as of December 3, 2011.
McDonald's has a history of increasing dividend every year since
the inception of its dividend pay out in 1976. The recent hike in
dividend brings the annual dividend yield to 3.32%, as of September
25, 2012.
McDonald's has further enhanced shareholders’ value by repurchasing
9.4 million shares in the second quarter of 2012. In 2012, the
company expects to return $5.5 billion in cash to shareholders via
dividends and stock buybacks.
McDonald's is the world’s largest chain of fast food restaurants,
with more than 33,500 units in over 119 countries, and 80% of its
restaurants are franchised. The company has a consistent track
record of not only paying quarterly dividends but also increasing
the same every year, supported by its cash position. Over the last
five-year period, McDonald's dividend has grown at a rate of 20.4%,
much faster than the industry average of 5.1%.
The last dividend hike of 15% to 70 cents was announced in
September, 2011. Prior to that, McDonald's announced a dividend
hike of 11% in September, 2010 and 10% in September, 2009 along
with an authorization of $10 billion for share repurchase.
On the same day that McDonald’s announced its hike in dividend, one
of its peers, Yum! Brands Inc. (YUM) also raised
its dividend by 18% to 33.5 cents. Another peer, Brinker
International Inc. (EAT) increased its quarterly dividend
by 25% to 20 cents per share in August end.
McDonald's forward annualized dividend yield of 3.29% surpassed the
industry average of 1.27% as well as the forward annualized
dividend yields of 1.96% and 2.27% of Yum! Brands and Brinker,
respectively.
The company had cash and cash equivalents of $2.5 billion as of
June 30, 2012, which reiterates the fact that the company holds a
strong cash position and has the ability to further boost
shareholders’ value.
We appreciate McDonald's efforts to consistently enhance
shareholders’ returns, despite the economic depression. We believe
that an increase in dividend payment affirms the company’s
optimistic outlook and indicates that it is heading towards future
growth.
McDonald’s currently retains a Zacks #3 Rank, which translates into
a short-term Hold rating. We are also maintaining our long-term
Neutral recommendation on the stock.
BRINKER INTL (EAT): Free Stock Analysis Report
MCDONALDS CORP (MCD): Free Stock Analysis Report
YUM! BRANDS INC (YUM): Free Stock Analysis Report
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