We looked at the bullish breakout and a confluence of bullish signals in MCD earlier in the week: McDonald's (MCD) - A Confluence of Bullish SignalsThis week, MCD is indeed giving us more evidence that bulls are in charge.MCD Daily Chart 1/13(click to enlarge)Bullish Signs:- Just a quick review of the bullish signs1) A bullish breakout above a falling resistance.2) Price pushed above the 200-, 100-, and 50-day simple moving averages (SMAs).3) Price the bounced off this cluster of SMAs - bullish slingshot signal.4) The RSI has pushed above 70, and has since bounced off 40, showing maintenance of bullish momentum.6) Last Friday's bullish candle was a bullish engulfing candle. 7) The 1/12, Thursday candle was also a bullish engulfing candle, adding to the evidence that price will be able to push towards the next resistance pivot at 125, and probably higher towards the 130 handle later this year. By the way, as we look at MCD's share price rally, we are seeing some shifts in strategy with its stakes in Japan and China:MarketWatch: McDonald’s looks to sell part of Japan business stakeMcDonald’s Corp. is inviting bids for a significant stake in its Japan unit, according to people familiar with the situation, days after it reached a deal to sell its China and Hong Kong franchises.The Oak Brook, Ill.-based fast-food giant owns through subsidiaries just under 50% of the unit, which is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and has a market capitalization of around $3.5 billion. McDonald’s is looking to sell up to 33% of the unit, with bids due next week, the people said. A number of private-equity firms are considering bids, they said. Morgan Stanley is running the sale, one of the people said. The bank didn’t reply to queries on the deal...(Full Article on MarketWatch.com)Yahoo Finance: McDonald's (MCD) Reduces Stake in China Division to 20%Fast-food giant McDonald’s Corporation MCD recently entered into a strategic partnership with CITIC Limited, CITIC Capital Holdings and The Carlyle Group LP CG to form a master franchisee company in charge of McDonald's operations in mainland China and Hong Kong.The DealTotal consideration of around $2.1 billion will be payable by the newly formed company to purchase McDonald’s China division. The amount will be settled partly in cash and partly by issuing shares in the new company to McDonald’s.Post the completion of the transaction, CITIC and CITIC Capital will have a controlling stake of 52%, Carlyle will hold 28% while McDonald’s share will be brought down to 20%.The 20-year partnership is expected to accelerate McDonald’s growth in the region by pooling together available skills and resources. As of Dec 31, 2016, there were around 2,400 McDonald’s outlets in China and 240 in Hong Kong. The partnership aims to add over 1,500 stores more in the region in the next five years. Along with unit expansion, the company’s focus will be on menu innovation, improved restaurant expediency, digital headship and smooth delivery.As part of its turnaround plan announced in May 2015, McDonald's aimed at refranchising its 4,000 restaurants by the end of 2018, with the long-term goal of becoming 95% franchised. Through this transaction, McDonald's is refranchising over 1,750 company-owned stores in the region...(Full Article on Yahoo Finance)