AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) vs McDonald's Corporation (MCD)
AZN leads on 10 of 16 compared metrics, though MCD is the cheaper stock.
A side-by-side comparison of AstraZeneca PLC and McDonald's Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 15, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
AZN
AstraZeneca PLC
$178.75Healthcare
MCD
McDonald's Corporation
$284.81Consumer Cyclical
Total return — AZN vs MCD
growth of $100 · last 30yAZN +732.9%MCD +1112.0%MCD compounded faster
AZN MCD
AZN vs MCD: by the numbers
- •AZN is the larger company ($277.22B vs $202.36B market cap).
- •MCD trades at the lower earnings multiple (23.48 vs 26.92 P/E).
- •MCD converts more revenue to profit (31.62% vs 17.19% net margin).
- •AZN grew revenue faster over the past five years (16.99% vs 6.95% CAGR).
- •MCD pays the higher dividend yield (2.58% vs 1.79%).
Which is better, AZN or MCD?
Metric tally: AZN 10 · MCD 6It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueMCD(lower P/E)
GrowthAZN(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeMCD(higher dividend yield)
QualityMCD(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AZN | MCD |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 26.92 | 23.48● |
| Forward P/E | 15.33● | 20.07 |
| P/S ratio | 4.62● | 7.40 |
| P/B ratio | 5.90 | — |
| PEG ratio | 0.14● | 5.30 |
| EV / EBITDA | 14.92● | 17.22 |
| FCF yield | 2.89% | 3.46%● |
Profitability
| Metric | AZN | MCD |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 81.68%● | 57.35% |
| Operating margin | 23.69% | 46.01%● |
| Net margin | 17.19% | 31.62%● |
| ROE | 21.95%● | -478.38% |
| ROIC | 13.03% | 17.44%● |
Dividends
| Metric | AZN | MCD |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.79% | 2.58%● |
| Payout ratio | 48.48% | 61.25% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AZN | MCD |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 16.99%● | 6.95% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 22.02%● | 13.58% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 15.68%● | 5.78% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 11.03%● | 6.16% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, AZN or MCD?
- It depends on your goal. value: MCD (lower P/E); growth: AZN (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: MCD (higher dividend yield); quality: MCD (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, AZN leads 10 to 6.
- Is AZN or MCD cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, MCD is cheaper: AZN trades at a 26.92 P/E and MCD at 23.48.
- Which has grown faster, AZN or MCD?
- Over the past five years, AZN grew revenue faster — AZN at a 16.99% CAGR versus MCD at 6.95%.
- Does AZN or MCD pay a bigger dividend?
- AZN yields 1.79% and MCD yields 2.58% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AZN or MCD more profitable?
- MCD runs the higher net margin — AZN at 17.19% versus MCD at 31.62%.
- Which has been the better investment, AZN or MCD?
- Over the past 10-year, AZN delivered the higher annualized total return — AZN at 15.77% versus MCD at 11.47%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
AstraZeneca P/E ratioMcDonald's P/E ratioAstraZeneca dividend yieldMcDonald's dividend yieldAstraZeneca ROEMcDonald's ROEAstraZeneca operating marginMcDonald's operating marginAstraZeneca revenue growthMcDonald's revenue growthAstraZeneca free cash flowMcDonald's free cash flow
AstraZeneca & McDonald's appear in these rankings
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 15, 2026.