MCD vs. MA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MCD (McDonald's Corporation) and MA (Mastercard Incorporated) are both stocks. MCD operates in Restaurants (Consumer Cyclical), while MA operates in Credit Services (Financial Services). Over the past 10 years, MCD returned 11.10%/yr vs 17.95%/yr for MA. At a 0.39 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

MCD vs. MA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in McDonald's Corporation (MCD) and Mastercard Incorporated (MA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MCD achieves a -9.47% return, which is significantly higher than MA's -17.13% return. Over the past 10 years, MCD has underperformed MA with an annualized return of 11.10%, while MA has yielded a comparatively higher 17.95% annualized return.

MCD

• 1D: -1.11%
• 1M: -3.15%
• YTD: -9.47%
• 6M: -10.08%
• 1Y: -10.39%
• 3Y*: 0.39%
• 5Y*: 5.61%
• 10Y*: 11.10%

MA

• 1D: -1.28%
• 1M: -6.58%
• YTD: -17.13%
• 6M: -14.57%
• 1Y: -18.49%
• 3Y*: 8.69%
• 5Y*: 5.81%
• 10Y*: 17.95%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

MCD vs. MA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MCD McDonald's Corporation	-9.47%	7.89%	0.14%	15.06%	0.51%	27.79%	11.30%	13.97%	5.78%	45.05%
MA Mastercard Incorporated	-17.13%	9.04%	24.17%	23.40%	-2.66%	1.16%	20.19%	59.16%	25.31%	47.69%

Correlation

The correlation between MCD and MA is 0.27, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.27
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.31
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 May 26, 2006	0.39

The correlation between MCD and MA shifts across timeframes, from 0.27 (1 year) to 0.39 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

Market Cap MCD : $194.99B MA : $421.09B
EPS MCD : $12.13 MA : $17.28
PE Ratio MCD : 22.53 MA : 27.30
PEG Ratio MCD : 3.62 MA : 1.59
PS Ratio MCD : 7.12 MA : 12.52
Total Revenue (TTM) MCD : $27.45B MA : $33.94B
Gross Profit (TTM) MCD : $12.10B MA : $26.70B
EBITDA (TTM) MCD : $14.46B MA : $21.23B

Return for Risk

MCD vs. MA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

MCD

MCD Risk / Return Rank: 14
MCD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 14
MCD Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
MCD Omega Ratio Rank: 15
MCD Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
MCD Martin Ratio Rank: 6

MA

MA Risk / Return Rank: 7
MA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
MA Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
MA Omega Ratio Rank: 11
MA Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
MA Martin Ratio Rank: 1

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

MCD vs. MA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for McDonald's Corporation (MCD) and Mastercard Incorporated (MA). 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.

	MCD	MA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.64	-0.84	+0.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.81	-1.07	+0.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.91	0.87	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.55	-0.89	+0.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.45	-1.84	+0.39
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MCD vs. MA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MCD Sharpe Ratio is -0.64, which is comparable to the MA Sharpe Ratio of -0.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MCD and MA, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	MCD	MA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.64	-0.84	+0.21
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33	0.24	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	0.67	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.83	-0.30

Drawdowns

MCD vs. MA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MCD drawdown since its inception was -73.20%, which is greater than MA's maximum drawdown of -62.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MCD and MA.

Drawdown Indicators

	MCD	MA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-73.20%	-62.67%	-10.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.04%	-20.91%	+1.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.04%	-20.91%	+1.87%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.04%	-28.25%	+9.21%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.90%	-41.00%	+4.10%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-18.88%	-20.91%	+2.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.89%	-9.82%	-5.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.23%	10.06%	-2.83%

Volatility

MCD vs. MA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for McDonald's Corporation (MCD) is 4.79%, while Mastercard Incorporated (MA) has a volatility of 5.95%. This indicates that MCD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MCD	MA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.79%	5.95%	-1.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.06%	17.27%	-5.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.41%	22.03%	-5.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.24%	23.96%	-6.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.39%	26.91%	-6.52%

Dividends

MCD vs. MA - Dividend Comparison

MCD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.69%, more than MA's 0.69% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MA Mastercard Incorporated	0.69%	0.53%	0.50%	0.53%	0.56%	0.49%	0.45%	0.44%	0.53%	0.58%	0.74%	0.66%
MCD McDonald's Corporation	2.69%	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. MA - Profitability Comparison

The chart below illustrates the profitability comparison between McDonald's Corporation and Mastercard Incorporated over time, highlighting three key metrics: Gross Profit Margin, Operating Margin, and Net Profit Margin.

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%.

MA - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Mastercard Incorporated reported a gross profit of 4.91B and revenue of 8.40B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 58.4%.

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%.

MA - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Mastercard Incorporated reported an operating income of 4.91B and revenue of 8.40B, resulting in an operating margin of 58.4%.

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%.

MA - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Mastercard Incorporated reported a net income of 3.88B and revenue of 8.40B, resulting in a net margin of 46.2%.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MCD and MA in my portfolio?

MCD and MA have a correlation of 0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MCD or MA?

MA has higher volatility (5.95%) compared to MCD (4.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MCD dropped -73.20% vs MA's -62.67%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MCD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.64 vs -0.84), 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.