👋 Introduction & background

Hey everyone!

I'm 33, married and dad to two small children (18 months and 2 months old). I've been working in the automotive industry since 2011 and in management consulting since 2019. ⚙️🚗💼

My wife is an engineer and also works in the automotive industry. 👩‍🔧🚗

I've been with getquin since 2022, but so far I've been reading along rather than actively posting. 👀

My wife is currently on parental leave and receives parental allowance. I will go on parental leave in Q2 2026 (also with parental allowance), then she will start working again. This means that only one of us will receive a full salary until the end of 2026 - but we'll still be sticking to our savings and investment quota. 👶💶

💰 Current status:

A good mid-six-figure amount has already been saved in our custody accounts. 📈

👶 Children & investments

For each child, we invested €10,000 in the Vanguard FTSE All World ($VWRL) (+0.01%) invested. In addition, each child receives €150 per month in the same ETF - via junior custody accounts at ING. 📊

💍 My wife's investments

She invests monthly:

- 🌎 500 € in the MSCI World ($XDWL) (+0.08%)

- 💸 500 € in the Vanguard FTSE All World High Dividend ($VHYL) (-0.01%)

📈 My investment strategy

Long-term, diversified and with a focus on cash flow & wealth accumulation.

🔹Core portfolio (ETF & Bitcoin)

900 € flow in monthly:

- 💵 €500 in SPDR S&P 500 ($SPY5) (+0.08%)

- 🌍 €200 in Vaneck Morningstar Developed Markets Dividend Leaders ($TDIV) (+0.05%)

- ₿ 200 € in Bitcoin ($BTC) (-0.74%)

🔹 Individual share savings plans (€25/ €600 each)

Target per company: €10,000 investment amount.

Currently participating:

$DB1 (-0.02%) , $UNP (+0.01%), $RACE (-0.21%) , $MRK (-0.13%) , $MUV2 (-0.25%) , $DGE (+0.24%) , $DE (-0.03%) , $TXN (+0.21%) , $AWR (+0.12%) , $ADP (+0.17%) , $PLD (+0.2%) , $HEN (-0.2%) , $ITW (+0.25%) , $UNH (+0.12%) , $LLY (-0.01%) , $BEI (-0.16%) , $MCD (+0.02%) , $DTE (-0.03%) , $WMT (+0.19%) , $COST (-0.03%) , $WM (+0.15%) , $JPM (+0.04%) , $BLK (+0.95%) , $SY1 (-0.16%)

🔹 Cash reserve

💰 Set aside at least €1,000 every month to be able to strike flexibly when opportunities arise.

🏘️ Real estate strategy

We live in our own home and own a rental apartment that pays for itself. ✅

Further real estate purchases are planned. 🏡📈

🎯 Target (15-20 years)

Financial freedom - with the option of part-time or complete independence from employment. Focus on more time for family, projects and quality of life. ✨

How do you structure your portfolios? What is your strategy and what are your long-term goals?

I look forward to the exchange!

#mcdonalds
$MCD (+0.02%)

Good morning,

I was eating at McDonalds last night and I'm always amazed that the restaurants are always full.

So I thought I'd ask the AI about the stock.

I'm invested myself and I'm happy when I see something like this and then my dividends fly into my account.

For me, it's a defensive share for the ages. The McDonalds brand always seems to be a winner.

Fundamental picture

McDonald's generated sales of just under USD 25 billion in 2024 and a profit of around USD 8.2 billion. The operating margin is well over 40% - exceptionally high for the restaurant sector. The Group has a market capitalization of around USD 216 billion, making it one of the absolute heavyweights in the consumer sector.

A large part of its strength lies in the franchise model. Over 90 % of the restaurants are operated by franchisees. For McDonald's, this means relatively low direct operating costs, but high and predictable income from rents and fees. This makes the balance sheet less susceptible to economic fluctuations.

Dividend policy

The share has been paying a reliable dividend for decades and has regularly increased it. The most recent quarterly dividend was USD 1.77 per share, i.e. around USD 7.08 p.a. At the current share price level (around USD 300), this results in a dividend yield of around 2.3%. The payout ratio is around 60 %, so there is still enough room for future increases.

Chart technique

The McDonald's chart shows a clear upward trend over a 10-year period. In 2015, the share was still at around USD 100, today it is trading at around USD 300 - a tripling in a decade.

• 52-week range: USD 245 - 302
• All-time high: approx. USD 302 (summer 2025)
• Current level: ~ USD 295 (as at the beginning of October 2025)

In the short term, the share has been consolidating slightly since the summer, but continues to run above important support levels. The 200-day line runs at around USD 280, which currently serves as the first relevant support. A breakout above the all-time high of USD 302 could clear the way towards USD 320-330.

Valuation

The P/E ratio (price/earnings) is around 26, the price/book ratio is over 10 - i.e. not a "value share", but a classic quality share with a premium. The market is paying for the stability, cash flows and dividend continuity. The forward P/E ratio (based on expected earnings) is slightly lower, i.e. in the range of 23-24.

Current catalysts

• Expansion: The plan is to significantly increase the number of stores worldwide, particularly in high-growth markets.
• Marketing: Classics such as the Monopoly game and seasonal promotions drive traffic and app usage.
• Digitalization: Mobile orders and loyalty programs increase customer loyalty to the system.

Risks

• Rising costs (wages, raw materials) could squeeze margins.
• Regulatory issues (sustainability, packaging) can lead to additional costs.
• Competition from fast-casual chains.

Conclusion

McDonald's remains a top pick for investors looking for defensive strength, brand power and dividend reliability. In chart terms, we are close to the all-time high - a breakout above it would be a new buy signal. If you take a long-term view, you can see setbacks towards USD 280 as a buying opportunity. The share is not cheaply valued in the short term, but the story remains intact: Growth via expansion, strong margins, and a brand that works in crises as well as in boom phases.

ℹ️ Information without guarantee | Source: ChatGPT

No investment advice - only information and own opinion. Please check for yourself before making any decisions.

I've been a silent user of the GetQuin community for quite some time now and thought I'd share my first post here to exchange ideas with experienced hobby investors and get some honest feedback on the portfolio I've built up to this point.

My journey into the beautiful wide world of shares began almost 4 years ago, when the consequences and extent of the corona crash on the stock market reached me.

Shortly afterwards, when the indices had long since recovered, I decided to open a share portfolio with my trusted Volksbank, unaware that this action would be my first mistake at the beginning of my long journey.

At the beginning, like probably every beginner, I had no strategy or even a plan on how to approach the matter.

So, full of zest for action, I started buying shares indiscriminately on a small scale - for €200 one $BLDP (-1.06%) for another €250 one $PLUG (+1.16%) and I still had €100 left over for some shares in $EGR (+1.31%) left over. As I had also heard something about "dividends" and naturally wanted to profit from them too, I also put $ELE (-0.4%) in my securities account (200€). The order costs amounted to €14.90 per order.

With these 4 positions, I then spent the following days and weeks calculating a number of price scenarios on my computer app and imagining how many thousands of euros I would gain if these "unrealistic prices" were to materialize at some point.

The first price losses came quickly and just as quickly the frustration and I started jumping from share to share to make a quick buck.

It took me about a year to come to my senses and gain a little more insight into the matter. I started following big influencers on Instagram.

At some point, I had a bit more of a plan and started again, I canceled the custody account at Volksbank and opened a custody account at TradeRepublic and started ETF savings plans as well as share savings plans.

In the beginning, I mainly bought the ideas of my financial influencers.

Basic companies such as $MCD (+0.02%) , $Coca u. $PG (+0%) were not to be missed, of course. I was branded by the high-risk stocks I had initially bought and therefore only wanted boring but solid dividend payers in my portfolio.

I gradually realized that a healthy mix of dividend payers and growth stocks is inevitable for a structured portfolio and so stocks like $Micro, $GOOGL (+0%) and $V (+0.03%) have also found a place in my portfolio.

In the meantime, 4 years have passed in which I have lost a lot of money, gained even more knowledge and invested a lot of time in the world of finance. I have built up an impressive portfolio, which I would like to optimize and expand in the future.

I think that some of you will be able to identify with this short beginner's story and I look forward to hearing about your initial experiences and stumbles.

Since Alphabet and co have done well for me and I want to realize partial amounts (even if it's hard for me with such companies ;) )

I would like to add something from the sectors mentioned above.

The following came to mind $PG (+0%)
$MCD (+0.02%)
$TXRH (+0.53%) .

in finance, for example $V (+0.03%) or for health possibly $ZTS (+0.06%) .

Maybe one of you has some suggestions:)

ps: I still have an exemption order, otherwise I would never realize partial sales at Microsoft and Alphabet :D

Hello everyone,

I am currently looking for 1 or 2 dividend stocks, what else do you have in your portfolios? I currently have $MUX (+0.17%)
$HSBA (+0.08%)
$VIG (-0.11%)
$ISP (+0.19%)
$VAR (+0.82%)
$RIO (+0.23%)
$NN (+0.65%)
$KO (+0.25%)

I'm looking for something that doesn't come from the commodities, insurance or banking sectors. I have possibly thought of $BATS (+0.29%) thought of.

Thank you for your input.

PS: $PEP (+0.23%) and $MCD (+0.02%) I would not like to have as a dividend stock.

Today I have eliminated four mini-positions and invested the proceeds in the global core.

Sales

- $DHR (-0.36%) (-22 % compared to EP → loss pot)

- $MOWI (+0.36%)

- $DGE (+0.24%) (-28 % compared to EP → loss pot)

- $MCD (+0.02%) (residual position)

Purchases

- $VWRL (+0.01%) 10 pcs (Core)

- $FAST (+0.69%) 5 pcs (small satellite - thesis: fast charging networks growth, high volatility accepted)

Why this?

• Sizes <1% disrupt rebalancing, bring little diversification benefit.
• Loss realization today lowers future tax burden on equity gains.
• More in the core increases predictability

$MCD (+0.02%)

• In the second quarter (ending June 2025), McDonald's reported adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $3.19, after expecting around $3.14 - clearly beating the estimate. Revenue increased 5% YoY to $6.84 billion, also above consensus forecasts.
• Worldwide comparable sales increased by 3.8%, in the US sales per location increased by 2.5%, reversing the decline from the previous quarter.
• A critical look at the first quarter: EPS fell to USD 2.60 (-2 % YoY), or USD 2.67 on an adjusted basis, with global comparable sales falling by 1 % (roughly neutral excluding the leap year effect). A decline in guest numbers was particularly noticeable in the USA (-3.6 %).

Strategic priorities & initiatives 2025

• Value offensive & McValue platform: McDonald's aims to stabilize sales and guest numbers with the introduction of the McValue program (e.g. $5 meal deals). This focus has already helped to boost business in Q2.
• Franchise expansion & new markets: McDonald's plans to open around 2,200 new restaurants worldwide in 2025 (approx. 4% growth), including around 600 in the US and key foreign markets .
• Digital transformation & loyalty programs: Expansion of the digital platform, target: from currently around 150 million active loyalty members to 250 million by 2027. At the same time, McDonald's is investing heavily in technology, particularly AI .
• Krispy Kreme partnership: McDonald's has been testing the introduction of doughnuts in US restaurants since 2024 - they are to be available in up to 12,000 branches by the end of 2026. This campaign is estimated to increase annual sales and EBITDA by several hundred million dollars.

🚀 Outlook & drivers for the coming months

• Q3/Q4 2025: The next company figures, including Q3 2025 (probably in November), should show whether the strategy is working in the long term. Rising guest numbers, further value promotions and digital offerings will be decisive in the course of 2025.
• AI focus: McDonald's announced that it will invest significantly in AI infrastructure by 2027 - with a global tech hub in India and a focus on data platforms, engineering and platform architecture.
• Key figure forecasts from the investor deck: Among other things, the company expects for 2025: CAPEX of $3.0-3.2 billion, operating margin in the mid-upper 40% range, free cash flow conversion of c. 80% .

Conclusion for 2025

McDonald's is performing a balancing act in 2025: the company countered skeptical customer traffic figures in Q1 with a clear value push and digital innovations - the result: a convincing increase in sales and profits in Q2. With focus-oriented investments in AI, global expansion, increased loyalty and strategic partnerships (e.g. Krispy Kreme), McDonald's appears to be well positioned for growth over the course of the year.

Hello everyone,

After more than a year, it's time to present my portfolio again, as a lot has changed.

I am clearly pursuing a buy-and-hold strategy with quality stocks. As a core I currently have the $GGRP (+0.04%)and the $IWDA (-0.01%) . The $GGRP (+0.04%) will soon leave my portfolio and half of it will be reallocated to the $IWDA and the $XDEM (+0%) will be reallocated. This is simply because I think it's a good idea to have an ETF in my more growth-oriented portfolio that doesn't just have dividend payers in its line-up.

I find the $XDEM (+0%) in particular, as it focuses exclusively on stocks that have performed well recently. The fact that the excess return naturally drives up volatility somewhat is perfectly okay, as my investment horizon is at least 20 years.

Otherwise, another 57% of my portfolio consists of individual shares. My plan has actually always been a 50/50 ratio, but this has changed somewhat due to the strong equity returns. However, the ETF positions will soon be filled with around 600 euros of my training income. This should then level out a little better, as long as shares don't continue to rise enormously.

If you take a closer look at the shares, I think the strong focus on the classic ETF drivers such as $NVDA (+0.18%) , $MSFT (+0.09%) , $GOOG (+0.07%) and $AMZN (-0.01%) stand out. Of course, the ETFs in the portfolio increase the proportion of these stocks, but that is absolutely intentional. I remain very optimistic about the AI runners and see further growth and sufficient stability in the coming years.

I always find the following particularly noteworthy $EUZ (-0.47%) . It is the only German company in my portfolio. I am very confident in the long term and am excited to see how they will develop. Unfortunately, my $MC (+0.07%) position should also be mentioned. Well, bad luck and I didn't have the courage to sell when the downward trend was clear. But at least I can now offset the taxes from the $GGRP (+0.04%)-sale by selling the LVMH position and then buying it again immediately. As soon as the luxury segment improves again, I am sure that LVMH will be back at the top of the industry.

The bottom part of my portfolio currently consists of $MCD (+0.02%) and $MDLZ (+0.16%) among others. Due to the strong returns of the other shares, these two positions have become somewhat unimportant in my portfolio. At around 2% each, they have simply become too small for me, which is why I will be merging them. However, not again in a stable share with a dividend, but rather in a growth driver. I am currently watching $ANET (+0.27%) and am pretty convinced. The restructuring will probably soon lead to a EUR 4,000 position in Arista and free up another EUR 2,000 for the ETFs.

That should be all. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask, otherwise I'm very happy to receive your feedback :)

(A little info: The sum of the deposit comes from my grandfather's inheritance. The ETF shares I bought early on were bought by my father, as I was of course too young. Then I got involved with shares and was allowed to have more and more of a say. I currently make my own decisions about the portfolio)