General Motors Company (GM) vs McDonald's Corporation (MCD)
GM and MCD are evenly matched — 7 metrics each of 14.
A side-by-side comparison of General Motors Company 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).
GM
General Motors Company
$81.50Consumer Cyclical
MCD
McDonald's Corporation
$284.81Consumer Cyclical
Total return — GM vs MCD
growth of $100 · last 16yGM +138.4%MCD +260.4%MCD compounded faster
GM MCD
GM vs MCD: by the numbers
- •MCD is the larger company ($202.36B vs $73.49B market cap).
- •MCD trades at the lower earnings multiple (23.48 vs 32.60 P/E).
- •MCD converts more revenue to profit (31.62% vs 1.38% net margin).
- •GM grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.60% vs 6.95% CAGR).
- •MCD pays the higher dividend yield (2.58% vs 0.81%).
Which is better, GM or MCD?
Metric tally: GM 7 · MCD 7It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueMCD(lower P/E)
GrowthGM(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeMCD(higher dividend yield)
QualityMCD(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | GM | MCD |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 32.60 | 23.48● |
| Forward P/E | — | 20.06 |
| P/S ratio | 0.41● | 7.40 |
| P/B ratio | 1.20 | — |
| PEG ratio | — | 5.30 |
| EV / EBITDA | 11.84● | 17.22 |
| FCF yield | 16.67%● | 3.46% |
Profitability
| Metric | GM | MCD |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 6.10% | 57.35%● |
| Operating margin | 1.34% | 46.01%● |
| Net margin | 1.38% | 31.62%● |
| ROE | 4.05%● | -478.38% |
| ROIC | 1.16% | 17.44%● |
Dividends
| Metric | GM | MCD |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.81% | 2.58%● |
| Payout ratio | 19.82% | 61.25% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | GM | MCD |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 8.60%● | 6.95% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -5.25% | 13.58%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 14.14%● | 5.78% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 6.65%● | 6.16% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, GM or MCD?
- It depends on your goal. value: MCD (lower P/E); growth: GM (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: MCD (higher dividend yield); quality: MCD (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, they are evenly matched.
- Is GM or MCD cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, MCD is cheaper: GM trades at a 32.60 P/E and MCD at 23.48.
- Which has grown faster, GM or MCD?
- Over the past five years, GM grew revenue faster — GM at a 8.60% CAGR versus MCD at 6.95%.
- Does GM or MCD pay a bigger dividend?
- GM yields 0.81% and MCD yields 2.58% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is GM or MCD more profitable?
- MCD runs the higher net margin — GM at 1.38% versus MCD at 31.62%.
- Which has been the better investment, GM or MCD?
- Over the past 10-year, GM delivered the higher annualized total return — GM at 13.06% versus MCD at 11.47%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
General Motors P/E ratioMcDonald's P/E ratioGeneral Motors dividend yieldMcDonald's dividend yieldGeneral Motors ROEMcDonald's ROEGeneral Motors operating marginMcDonald's operating marginGeneral Motors revenue growthMcDonald's revenue growthGeneral Motors free cash flowMcDonald's free cash flow
General Motors & 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 13, 2026.