ADP vs. MCD
ADP (Automatic Data Processing, Inc.) and MCD (McDonald's Corporation) are both stocks. ADP operates in Staffing & Employment Services (Industrials), while MCD operates in Restaurants (Consumer Cyclical). Over the past 10 years, ADP returned 12.74%/yr vs 11.32%/yr for MCD. At a 0.34 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
ADP vs. MCD - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ADP achieves a -9.08% return, which is significantly lower than MCD's -7.30% return. Over the past 10 years, ADP has outperformed MCD with an annualized return of 12.74%, while MCD has yielded a comparatively lower 11.32% annualized return.
ADP
- 1D
- 0.28%
- 1M
- 11.94%
- YTD
- -9.08%
- 6M
- -10.03%
- 1Y
- -27.11%
- 3Y*
- 4.66%
- 5Y*
- 5.48%
- 10Y*
- 12.74%
MCD
- 1D
- 2.61%
- 1M
- -0.83%
- YTD
- -7.30%
- 6M
- -8.97%
- 1Y
- -7.23%
- 3Y*
- 1.82%
- 5Y*
- 6.11%
- 10Y*
- 11.32%
ADP vs. MCD - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ADP Automatic Data Processing, Inc. | -9.08% | -10.18% | 28.41% | -0.25% | -1.29% | 42.60% | 5.86% | 32.71% | 14.25% | 16.54% |
MCD McDonald's Corporation | -7.30% | 7.89% | 0.14% | 15.06% | 0.51% | 27.79% | 11.30% | 13.97% | 5.78% | 45.05% |
Correlation
The correlation between ADP and MCD is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.21 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.28 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.38 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.39 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 7, 1983 | 0.34 |
The correlation between ADP and MCD shifts across timeframes, from 0.21 (1 year) to 0.39 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
ADP:
$93.31B
MCD:
$199.67B
ADP:
$10.72
MCD:
$12.13
ADP:
21.64
MCD:
23.07
ADP:
1.63
MCD:
3.71
ADP:
4.35
MCD:
7.29
ADP:
$21.60B
MCD:
$27.45B
ADP:
$10.26B
MCD:
$12.10B
ADP:
$6.51B
MCD:
$14.46B
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Return for Risk
ADP vs. MCD — Risk / Return Rank
ADP
MCD
ADP vs. MCD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) and McDonald's Corporation (MCD). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
| ADP | MCD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.68 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.08 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.81 | 0.94 | -0.13 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.67 | -0.38 | -0.29 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -1.19 | -1.00 | -0.19 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| ADP | MCD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -1.12 | -0.44 | -0.68 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.25 | 0.35 | -0.11 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.52 | 0.56 | -0.03 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.54 | 0.53 | +0.01 |
Drawdowns
ADP vs. MCD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ADP drawdown since its inception was -59.51%, smaller than the maximum MCD drawdown of -73.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ADP and MCD.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ADP | MCD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -59.51% | -73.20% | +13.69% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -40.78% | -19.05% | -21.73% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -40.78% | -19.05% | -21.73% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -40.78% | -19.05% | -21.73% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -40.78% | -36.90% | -3.88% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -27.24% | -16.93% | -10.31% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.59% | -14.89% | +2.30% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 22.81% | 7.29% | +15.52% |
Volatility
ADP vs. MCD - Volatility Comparison
Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) has a higher volatility of 9.59% compared to McDonald's Corporation (MCD) at 5.49%. This indicates that ADP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MCD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| ADP | MCD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 9.59% | 5.49% | +4.10% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 20.39% | 12.09% | +8.30% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 24.27% | 16.62% | +7.65% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 22.04% | 17.27% | +4.77% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 24.47% | 20.40% | +4.07% |
Dividends
ADP vs. MCD - Dividend Comparison
ADP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.79%, more than MCD's 2.63% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ADP Automatic Data Processing, Inc. | 2.79% | 2.46% | 1.96% | 2.21% | 1.83% | 1.55% | 2.08% | 1.92% | 2.14% | 2.00% | 2.10% | 2.36% |
MCD McDonald's Corporation | 2.63% | 2.35% | 2.34% | 2.10% | 2.15% | 1.96% | 2.35% | 2.39% | 2.36% | 2.23% | 2.97% | 2.91% |
Financials
ADP vs. MCD - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Automatic Data Processing, Inc. and McDonald's Corporation. You can select fields from income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements to easily visualize and compare the financial health of both companies.
Total Revenue: Total amount of money received from sales and other business activities
ADP vs. MCD - Profitability Comparison
ADP - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Automatic Data Processing, Inc. reported a gross profit of 2.87B and revenue of 5.94B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 48.3%.
MCD - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, McDonald's Corporation reported a gross profit of 0.00 and revenue of 6.52B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 0.0%.
ADP - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Automatic Data Processing, Inc. reported an operating income of 1.79B and revenue of 5.94B, resulting in an operating margin of 30.1%.
MCD - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, McDonald's Corporation reported an operating income of 2.95B and revenue of 6.52B, resulting in an operating margin of 45.3%.
ADP - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Automatic Data Processing, Inc. reported a net income of 1.36B and revenue of 5.94B, resulting in a net margin of 22.9%.
MCD - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, McDonald's Corporation reported a net income of 1.98B and revenue of 6.52B, resulting in a net margin of 30.4%.
Frequently Asked Questions
ADP and MCD have a correlation of 0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
ADP has higher volatility (9.59%) compared to MCD (5.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ADP dropped -59.51% vs MCD's -73.20%.
MCD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.44 vs -1.12), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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