PPL vs. MCD
PPL (PPL Corporation) and MCD (McDonald's Corporation) are both stocks. PPL operates in Utilities - Regulated Electric (Utilities), while MCD operates in Restaurants (Consumer Cyclical). Over the past 10 years, PPL returned 3.60%/yr vs 11.46%/yr for MCD. At a 0.26 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
PPL vs. MCD - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PPL achieves a 3.97% return, which is significantly higher than MCD's -5.66% return. Over the past 10 years, PPL has underperformed MCD with an annualized return of 3.60%, while MCD has yielded a comparatively higher 11.46% annualized return.
PPL
- 1D
- 1.10%
- 1M
- 3.61%
- YTD
- 3.97%
- 6M
- 7.12%
- 1Y
- 9.14%
- 3Y*
- 13.81%
- 5Y*
- 7.88%
- 10Y*
- 3.60%
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%
PPL vs. MCD - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PPL PPL Corporation | 3.97% | 11.38% | 23.98% | -3.77% | 0.35% | 12.88% | -16.87% | 33.41% | -3.01% | -5.19% |
MCD McDonald's Corporation | -5.66% | 7.89% | 0.14% | 15.06% | 0.51% | 27.79% | 11.30% | 13.97% | 5.78% | 45.05% |
Correlation
The correlation between PPL and MCD is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.28 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.32 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.39 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.35 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 8, 1985 | 0.26 |
The correlation between PPL and MCD shifts across timeframes, from 0.26 (all time) to 0.39 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
PPL:
$27.14B
MCD:
$203.21B
PPL:
$1.63
MCD:
$12.13
PPL:
21.98
MCD:
23.48
PPL:
18.41
MCD:
3.78
PPL:
2.88
MCD:
7.42
PPL:
$9.31B
MCD:
$27.45B
PPL:
$4.34B
MCD:
$12.10B
PPL:
$3.38B
MCD:
$14.46B
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Return for Risk
PPL vs. MCD — Risk / Return Rank
PPL
MCD
PPL vs. MCD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PPL Corporation (PPL) 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.
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.
| PPL | MCD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.68 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.93 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.08 | 0.98 | +0.11 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.57 | -0.20 | +0.77 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.49 | -0.50 | +1.99 |
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Drawdowns
PPL vs. MCD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PPL drawdown since its inception was -55.38%, smaller than the maximum MCD drawdown of -73.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PPL and MCD.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PPL | MCD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -55.38% | -73.20% | +17.82% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.29% | -19.05% | +5.76% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.84% | -19.05% | +0.21% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.73% | -19.05% | -5.68% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -48.73% | -36.90% | -11.83% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -9.22% | -15.46% | +6.24% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -15.62% | -14.89% | -0.73% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.12% | 7.53% | -2.41% |
Volatility
PPL vs. MCD - Volatility Comparison
PPL Corporation (PPL) has a higher volatility of 5.51% compared to McDonald's Corporation (MCD) at 4.96%. This indicates that PPL'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
| PPL | MCD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.51% | 4.96% | +0.55% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.76% | 12.20% | +0.56% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.94% | 16.62% | +0.32% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.73% | 17.27% | +1.46% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.78% | 20.40% | +2.38% |
Dividends
PPL vs. MCD - Dividend Comparison
PPL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.11%, more than MCD's 2.58% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
PPL PPL Corporation | 3.11% | 3.11% | 3.17% | 3.54% | 2.99% | 5.52% | 5.89% | 4.60% | 5.79% | 5.11% | 4.46% | 11.74% |
Financials
PPL vs. MCD - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between PPL Corporation 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
PPL vs. MCD - Profitability Comparison
PPL - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, PPL Corporation reported a gross profit of 1.92B and revenue of 2.77B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 69.3%.
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%.
PPL - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, PPL Corporation reported an operating income of 745.00M and revenue of 2.77B, resulting in an operating margin of 26.9%.
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%.
PPL - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, PPL Corporation reported a net income of 452.00M and revenue of 2.77B, resulting in a net margin of 16.3%.
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
PPL and MCD have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
PPL has higher volatility (5.51%) compared to MCD (4.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PPL dropped -55.38% vs MCD's -73.20%.
PPL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.45 vs -0.23), 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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