Stocks were again higher throughout most of the trading day, yet the final closing bell "red or black" levels were not certain until literally the last few minutes of the day. Fed Treasury buying and anticipation of a Ben Bernanke speech kept the lid on Treasury yields as well. Chips remained weak today and some airline scares did not exactly serve as a great catalyst to drive all transports. What is often "Merger Monday" felt more like "Mixed Monday" today.

Here were the unofficial closing bell levels:

Dow Jones: 12,400.03 +23.31 (0.19%)

S&P500: 1,332.87 +0.46 (0.03%)

Nasdaq: 2,789.19 -0.41 (-0.01%)

Top Analyst Upgrades/Downgrades

McDonald's (MCD) is looking to expand its footprint in Russia by increasing its store count by 15%, or about 40 new locations, in an effort to tap the growing demand for fast food. McDonald's competes with Wendy's (WEN), Subway, Burger King (BKC), and Yum! Brands (YUM) in the fast-food market and is the market leader with about 19% share. The company also competes with Starbucks (SBUX) in the specialty coffee market.

We have $78.40 price estimate for McDonald's stock, which is slightly ahead of market price.

Movie theaters don't want you to know how many calories are in the popcorn and that's why they are resisting FDA attempts at requiring disclosures. If the FDA required scales in front of the popcorn counters, or that all popcorn be sold with free carrots, I might side with the theaters, but requiring one of those small nutritional information panels on the back of the popcorn bucket -- eaten in a darkened theater -- hardly seems oppressive to me.

I'm all for free choice and I don't want to take away anyone's jumbo popcorn as they go to the movies -- unless, of course, I get to eat some of it.

McDonald's (MCD) competes with Wendy's (WEN), Burger King (BKC) and Yum! Brands (YUM) in the fast-food market, and is the leader in the hamburger fast-food category. McDonald's also competes with Starbucks (SBUX) in the specialty coffee market. McDonald's owns and franchises restaurants across the globe with over 32,000 restaurants in 117 countries. Of these, roughly 80% are operated by franchisees, with the balance being company owned.

We currently maintain a $78.40 price estimate for McDonald's stock, implying a roughly 5% premium to market price.

Ongoing turmoil in Libya and elsewhere did not damage US-trading today. OPEC did not yet agree to higher production but noted that it could boost production if necessary. Even PIMCO's Bill Gross comment that the economy and deficits where no longer self-sustaining failed to knock the market.

Here were today's unofficial closing bell levels:

Dow Jones 12,214.38 +124.35 (1.03%)
S&P 500 1,321.82 +11.69 (0.89%)
Nasdaq 2,765.77 +20.14 (0.73%)

Starbucks (SBUX) is the world's leading roaster and retailer of specialty coffee. Through its global network of owned and franchised coffee retail outlets, Starbucks offers a wide range of products from coffees and teas to sandwiches and brewing equipment. It competes with McDonald's (MCD), Caribou Coffee and Peet's Coffee in the broader market for specialty coffee.

We estimate that Starbucks' company-owned stores constitute around 46% of our estimated $26.41 value for the company's stock while franchised stores generate an incremental 30%. Our price estimate stands about 18% below the market price.

McDonald's(MCD) competes with Wendy's(WEN), Burger King, and Yum! Brands(YUM) in the fast food market and is the market leader with about 19% share. The company also competes with Starbucks(SBUX) in the specialty coffee market.

McDonald's owns and franchises restaurants across the globe with over 32,000 restaurants in 117 countries. Of these, roughly 80% were operated by franchisees, with the balance being company-owned. We estimate that franchisee rent & fees accounts for 62% of McDonald's stock value with franchisee royalties generating an additional 29%. The remaining 9% comes from company-owned restaurants.

Starbucks (SBUX) is the world's leading roaster and retailer of specialty coffee. Through its global network of owned and franchised coffee retail outlets, Starbucks offers a wide range of products from coffees and teas to sandwiches and brewing equipment. It competes with McDonald's (MCD), Caribou Coffee and Peet's Coffee in the broader market for specialty coffee.

We estimate that Starbucks' company-owned stores constitute around 46% of our estimated $26.41 value for the company's stock, while franchised stores generate an incremental 29%. Our price estimate stands below the current market price.

McDonald's (MCD - option chain) shares are rising today after the company announced this morning that its January same-store sales rose 5.3% worldwide, while US same-store sales rose 3.1%. Analysts were expecting sales to rise 4.5%. MCD cited January snowstorms for the disappointing US performance, but super strong performance in Europe, up 7%, is offsetting the weaker US. This stock has been in a bit of a downward slide over the past month or so, but today's data and the stock's reaction could signal a change in fortunes. If you think that the stock won't fall by too much in the coming months, then now could be a good time to look at a bullish hedged trade on MCD.

MCD opened this morning at $74.37. So far today the stock has hit a low of $74.20 and a high of $75.97. As of 12:00, MCD is trading at $75.70 up $2.25 (3.0%). The chart for MCD looks neutral and S&P gives MCD a neutral 3 STARS (out of 5) hold ranking.

The DJIA came within striking distance of 12,000 today. There was no major economic data and it is another melt-up rally. The news comes despite rising rate trends in China and India and despite the trends of inflation. It also comes in light of a Moscow, Russia airport bombing that killed more than 30 people.

Here were today's unofficial closing bell levels:

Dow Jones 11,980.52 +108.68 (0.92%)
S&P 500 1,290.84 +7.49 (0.58%)
Nasdaq 2,717.55 +28.01 (1.04%)

Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Blue-chip burger baron McDonald's (MCD) was in focus Monday morning after the company unveiled its fourth-quarter earnings. The fast-food chain reported net income of $1.24 billion, or $1.16 per share, slightly improved from its year-ago profit of $1.22 billion, or $1.11 per share. Revenue for the quarter climbed 4% to $6.21 billion.

The fourth-quarter results were more or less in line with Wall Street's expectations, but the same can't be said of its December sales. Global same-store sales rose 3.7% across the board, led by an 8.9% gain in the Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa (APMEA). U.S. same-store sales increased 2.6% in December, while sales at restaurants open at least 13 months declined 0.5% in Europe.

With earnings season in full swing, the FOMC meeting on interest rates, the GDP estimate, and housing numbers due out, the coming week is shaping up to be a busy one. So here's a peek at what's on the economic calendar.

Monday

Quarterly reports from American Express (AXP) and McDonald's (MCD) will highlight Monday. Amgen (AMGN), CSX (CSX), Halliburton (HAL) and Texas Instruments (TXN) are also expected to report strong earnings results.

I own Coca-Cola (KO) for the long term. It could very well be my favorite stock. Great brand, excellent dividend history, and so forth . . . you know the drill on Coke. Even so, I enjoy trying to figure out its technical future. For those who have been following the stock's price action this week, I'm sure you're wondering the same thing: Is the equity a sell at this point?

Full disclosure: Back in September, I tried to predict the short-term future of the beverage giant, and I got it wrong. I thought it might be too high around the $59 mark. Looks like the market disagreed, judging by the chart.

Fast-food entity Sonic (SONC) closed Tuesday's regular session at a quote of $10.10. That represented a gain of a mere two pennies going into the after-the-bell earnings release. I guess investors weren't too excited by the prospects of the data.

Shares didn't do much in the extended session either, but popped about 4% at the opening bell Wednesday. For a longer-term perspective, take a look at the one-year chart. The stock seems to be doing its best to climb back to higher levels. Returning to the 52-week high of $13.11 would be nice.

So, McDonald's Corporation (MCD) is having a bit of trouble today getting a bid. With roughly ninety minutes left to the trading day, shares were off by 2.5% to $74.67. Volume was heavy.

What's going on? The stock has pulled back in very recent times after experiencing a great run-up; check out this chart to see what I mean. The 52-week low is $61.06 and the 52-week high is $80.94. Granted, the current selling pressure hasn't taken the company down to the depths of the yearly low, but it might be somewhat disappointing for shareholders. Is it now time to prepare for a down cycle in the equity?