Apple Inc. (AAPL) vs McDonald's Corporation (MCD)
MCD leads on 10 of 16 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Apple Inc. and McDonald's Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — AAPL vs MCD
growth of $100 · last 30yAAPL +132310.1%MCD +1092.7%AAPL compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
AAPL MCD
AAPL vs MCD: by the numbers
- •AAPL is the larger company ($4.28T vs $202.36B market cap).
- •MCD trades at the lower earnings multiple (23.48 vs 35.20 P/E).
- •MCD converts more revenue to profit (31.62% vs 27.15% net margin).
- •MCD grew revenue faster over the past five years (6.95% vs 6.76% CAGR).
- •MCD pays the higher dividend yield (2.58% vs 0.36%).
Which is better, AAPL or MCD?
Metric tally: AAPL 6 · MCD 10It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueMCD(lower P/E)
GrowthMCD(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeMCD(higher dividend yield)
QualityAAPL(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | AAPL | MCD |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 35.20 | 23.48● |
| Forward P/E | 30.22 | 20.06● |
| P/S ratio | 9.52 | 7.40● |
| P/B ratio | 40.37 | — |
| PEG ratio | 1.51● | 5.30 |
| EV / EBITDA | 27.12 | 17.22● |
| FCF yield | 3.00% | 3.46%● |
Profitability
| Metric | AAPL | MCD |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 47.86% | 57.35%● |
| Operating margin | 32.64% | 46.01%● |
| Net margin | 27.15% | 31.62%● |
| ROE | 115.10%● | -478.38% |
| ROIC | 51.97%● | 17.44% |
Dividends
| Metric | AAPL | MCD |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.36% | 2.58%● |
| Payout ratio | 14.02% | 61.25% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AAPL | MCD |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 6.76% | 6.95%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 17.73%● | 13.58% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 7.38%● | 5.78% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 18.58%● | 6.16% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, AAPL or MCD?
- It depends on your goal. value: MCD (lower P/E); growth: MCD (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: MCD (higher dividend yield); quality: AAPL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, MCD leads 10 to 6.
- Is AAPL or MCD cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, MCD is cheaper: AAPL trades at a 35.20 P/E and MCD at 23.48.
- Which has grown faster, AAPL or MCD?
- Over the past five years, MCD grew revenue faster — AAPL at a 6.76% CAGR versus MCD at 6.95%.
- Does AAPL or MCD pay a bigger dividend?
- AAPL yields 0.36% and MCD yields 2.58% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AAPL or MCD more profitable?
- MCD runs the higher net margin — AAPL at 27.15% versus MCD at 31.62%.
- Which has been the better investment, AAPL or MCD?
- Over the past 10-year, AAPL delivered the higher annualized total return — AAPL at 29.17% versus MCD at 11.47%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Apple P/E ratioMcDonald's P/E ratioApple dividend yieldMcDonald's dividend yieldApple ROEMcDonald's ROEApple operating marginMcDonald's operating marginApple revenue growthMcDonald's revenue growthApple free cash flowMcDonald's free cash flow
Apple & McDonald's appear in these rankings
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Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 13, 2026.