low, but they have a long history of increasing their dividend from year to year. They paid their last dividend at $.05 per share. Also, since going public in 1965, McDonalds has paid twelve stock splits.For the first time, sales exceeded $40 billion for the year, an increase of 13% from 5years before. Also, total revenues reached $14.2 billion, an increase of 7% since 5 years ago. Now McDonald’s has begun a $4.5 billion share repurchase program. Buying back all those shares will positively impact earning per share. Also it shows the companies own belief in how well they think they will do in the future .If I had money I would invest in McDonald’s. Right now its price per share of stock is at its lowest in years and I believe that it will go back up even if the economy isn’t doing too well. Actually, McDonald’s may have more sales during a downturn in the economy because of people wanting to save money and it is one of the least expensive restaurants to eat at. A family of four can easily eat for under $20.McDonald’s is an icon of American culture and will maintain healthy sales levels for decades to come. A child knows what a Happy Meal is almost before they know how to speak in the United States.Another big reason I would invest in McDonald’s is because of what they are doing for the community. Fortune Magazine ranked them #1 in social responsibility in their Most Admired Companies list. Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) is an organization that provides care and comfort to children and families in need. In 2000, the 200th Ronald House was opened in Budapest, Hungary. McDonald’s is also trying to protect and conserve the environment. They have cut their packaging by 150,000 tons in the last ten years. So I would invest in McDonald’s not only for what it would do to my wallet but for what it does for the environment and community....
