MCD vs. AWK
MCD (McDonald's Corporation) and AWK (American Water Works Company, Inc.) are both stocks. MCD operates in Restaurants (Consumer Cyclical), while AWK operates in Utilities - Regulated Water (Utilities). Over the past 10 years, MCD returned 11.46%/yr vs 7.02%/yr for AWK. At a 0.35 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
MCD vs. AWK - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MCD achieves a -5.66% return, which is significantly lower than AWK's -1.86% return. Over the past 10 years, MCD has outperformed AWK with an annualized return of 11.46%, while AWK has yielded a comparatively lower 7.02% annualized return.
MCD
- 1D
- 0.01%
- 1M
- 3.75%
- YTD
- -5.66%
- 6M
- -8.96%
- 1Y
- -3.37%
- 3Y*
- 1.94%
- 5Y*
- 6.16%
- 10Y*
- 11.46%
AWK
- 1D
- 1.49%
- 1M
- 1.63%
- YTD
- -1.86%
- 6M
- -2.64%
- 1Y
- -8.35%
- 3Y*
- -2.50%
- 5Y*
- -2.65%
- 10Y*
- 7.02%
MCD vs. AWK - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MCD McDonald's Corporation | -5.66% | 7.89% | 0.14% | 15.06% | 0.51% | 27.79% | 11.30% | 13.97% | 5.78% | 45.05% |
AWK American Water Works Company, Inc. | -1.86% | 7.40% | -3.53% | -11.68% | -17.89% | 24.83% | 26.88% | 37.79% | 1.32% | 29.01% |
Correlation
The correlation between MCD and AWK is 0.36, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.36 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.37 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.41 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.38 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 23, 2008 | 0.35 |
Fundamentals
MCD:
$203.21B
AWK:
$24.63B
MCD:
$12.13
AWK:
$5.65
MCD:
23.48
AWK:
22.35
MCD:
7.42
AWK:
4.73
MCD:
$27.45B
AWK:
$5.21B
MCD:
$12.10B
AWK:
$2.27B
MCD:
$14.46B
AWK:
$2.48B
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Return for Risk
MCD vs. AWK — Risk / Return Rank
MCD
AWK
MCD vs. AWK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for McDonald's Corporation (MCD) and American Water Works Company, Inc. (AWK). 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| MCD | AWK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.16 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.21 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.98 | 0.95 | +0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.20 | -0.54 | +0.34 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.50 | -0.99 | +0.49 |
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Drawdowns
MCD vs. AWK - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MCD drawdown since its inception was -73.20%, which is greater than AWK's maximum drawdown of -37.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MCD and AWK.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MCD | AWK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -73.20% | -37.10% | -36.10% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -19.05% | -15.45% | -3.60% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.05% | -22.33% | +3.28% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -19.05% | -37.10% | +18.05% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -36.90% | -37.10% | +0.20% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -15.46% | -26.26% | +10.80% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -14.89% | -9.51% | -5.38% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 7.53% | 8.38% | -0.85% |
Volatility
MCD vs. AWK - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for McDonald's Corporation (MCD) is 4.96%, while American Water Works Company, Inc. (AWK) has a volatility of 6.28%. This indicates that MCD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AWK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MCD | AWK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.96% | 6.28% | -1.32% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.20% | 15.71% | -3.51% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.62% | 21.59% | -4.97% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.27% | 22.93% | -5.66% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.40% | 23.72% | -3.32% |
Dividends
MCD vs. AWK - Dividend Comparison
MCD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.58%, less than AWK's 2.67% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AWK American Water Works Company, Inc. | 2.67% | 2.49% | 2.41% | 2.10% | 1.68% | 1.25% | 1.40% | 1.59% | 1.96% | 1.77% | 2.02% | 2.23% |
MCD McDonald's Corporation | 2.58% | 2.35% | 2.34% | 2.10% | 2.15% | 1.96% | 2.35% | 2.39% | 2.36% | 2.23% | 2.97% | 2.91% |
Financials
MCD vs. AWK - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between McDonald's Corporation and American Water Works Company, Inc.. 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
MCD vs. AWK - Profitability Comparison
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%.
AWK - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, American Water Works Company, Inc. reported a gross profit of 714.00M and revenue of 1.21B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 59.2%.
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%.
AWK - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, American Water Works Company, Inc. reported an operating income of 391.00M and revenue of 1.21B, resulting in an operating margin of 32.4%.
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%.
AWK - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, American Water Works Company, Inc. reported a net income of 196.00M and revenue of 1.21B, resulting in a net margin of 16.2%.
Frequently Asked Questions
MCD and AWK have a correlation of 0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
AWK has higher volatility (6.28%) compared to MCD (4.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MCD dropped -73.20% vs AWK's -37.10%.
MCD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.23 vs -0.38), 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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