QAT vs. MCD

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

QAT (iShares MSCI Qatar ETF) is Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the MSCI All Qatar Capped Index, while MCD (McDonald's Corporation) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, QAT returned 4.34%/yr vs 11.23%/yr for MCD. At a 0.14 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

QAT vs. MCD - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QAT achieves a -0.05% return, which is significantly higher than MCD's -8.46% return. Over the past 10 years, QAT has underperformed MCD with an annualized return of 4.34%, while MCD has yielded a comparatively higher 11.23% annualized return.

QAT

• 1D: -1.37%
• 1M: 0.05%
• YTD: -0.05%
• 6M: 1.39%
• 1Y: 3.73%
• 3Y*: 4.09%
• 5Y*: 3.48%
• 10Y*: 4.34%

MCD

• 1D: 0.77%
• 1M: -2.93%
• YTD: -8.46%
• 6M: -6.96%
• 1Y: -9.47%
• 3Y*: 0.76%
• 5Y*: 5.93%
• 10Y*: 11.23%

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

QAT vs. MCD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QAT iShares MSCI Qatar ETF	-0.05%	8.81%	5.20%	2.72%	-7.23%	14.42%	6.94%	-0.44%	20.03%	-11.66%
MCD McDonald's Corporation	-8.46%	7.89%	0.14%	15.06%	0.51%	27.79%	11.30%	13.97%	5.78%	45.05%

Correlation

The correlation between QAT and MCD is 0.02, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.02
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.07
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.09
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.12
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 2, 2014	0.14

The correlation between QAT and MCD shifts across timeframes, from 0.02 (1 year) to 0.14 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

QAT vs. MCD — Risk / Return Rank

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

QAT

QAT Risk / Return Rank: 12
QAT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
QAT Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
QAT Omega Ratio Rank: 12
QAT Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
QAT Martin Ratio Rank: 12

MCD

MCD Risk / Return Rank: 16
MCD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
MCD Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
MCD Omega Ratio Rank: 16
MCD Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
MCD Martin Ratio Rank: 10

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.

QAT vs. MCD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Qatar ETF (QAT) 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.

	QAT	MCD	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.28	-0.58	+0.86
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.48	-0.73	+1.21
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.06	0.92	+0.14
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.38	-0.49	+0.87
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.73	-1.30	+2.03
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QAT vs. MCD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QAT Sharpe Ratio is 0.28, which is higher than the MCD Sharpe Ratio of -0.58. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QAT and MCD, 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

	QAT	MCD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.28	-0.58	+0.86
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.23	0.35	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.25	0.55	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.07	0.53	-0.46

Drawdowns

QAT vs. MCD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QAT drawdown since its inception was -45.21%, smaller than the maximum MCD drawdown of -73.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QAT and MCD.

Drawdown Indicators

	QAT	MCD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.21%	-73.20%	+27.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.60%	-19.04%	+8.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.41%	-19.04%	+1.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.17%	-19.04%	-14.13%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.04%	-36.90%	+2.86%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.48%	-17.96%	+5.48%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.18%	-14.89%	-4.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.52%	7.14%	-1.62%

Volatility

QAT vs. MCD - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI Qatar ETF (QAT) has a higher volatility of 5.05% compared to McDonald's Corporation (MCD) at 4.75%. This indicates that QAT'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.

Volatility by Period

	QAT	MCD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.05%	4.75%	+0.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.50%	12.18%	-1.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.36%	16.38%	-3.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.01%	17.24%	-2.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.56%	20.39%	-2.83%

Dividends

QAT vs. MCD - Dividend Comparison

QAT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.51%, more than MCD's 2.66% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MCD McDonald's Corporation	2.66%	2.35%	2.34%	2.10%	2.15%	1.96%	2.35%	2.39%	2.36%	2.23%	2.97%	2.91%
QAT iShares MSCI Qatar ETF	3.51%	3.51%	5.90%	3.92%	4.78%	2.33%	2.63%	3.57%	4.63%	4.10%	3.51%	4.49%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QAT and MCD in my portfolio?

QAT and MCD have a correlation of 0.02, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QAT or MCD?

QAT has higher volatility (5.05%) compared to MCD (4.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QAT dropped -45.21% vs MCD's -73.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QAT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.28 vs -0.58), 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.