McDonald's Corporation (MCD) vs MercadoLibre, Inc. (MELI)

MCD leads on 9 of 15 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of McDonald's Corporation and MercadoLibre, Inc. 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).

Compare

Total return — MCD vs MELI

growth of $100 · last 19y
MCD +476.4%MELI +5536.9%MELI compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $1002011201520192023$576$5,637
MCD MELI

MCD vs MELI: by the numbers

  • MCD is the larger company ($202.36B vs $80.59B market cap).
  • MCD trades at the lower earnings multiple (23.48 vs 41.96 P/E).
  • MCD converts more revenue to profit (31.62% vs 6.04% net margin).
  • MELI grew revenue faster over the past five years (46.59% vs 6.95% CAGR).
  • MCD pays a dividend (2.58% yield) while MELI does not currently pay one.

Which is better, MCD or MELI?

Metric tally: MCD 9 · MELI 6

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueMCD(lower P/E)
GrowthMELI(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityMCD(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricMCDMELI
P/E ratio23.4841.96
Forward P/E20.0728.09
P/S ratio7.402.53
P/B ratio11.07
PEG ratio5.3011.34
EV / EBITDA17.2226.36
FCF yield3.46%13.28%

Profitability

MetricMCDMELI
Gross margin57.35%43.86%
Operating margin46.01%9.59%
Net margin31.62%6.04%
ROE-478.38%26.37%
ROIC17.44%11.78%

Dividends

MetricMCDMELI
Dividend yield2.58%
Payout ratio61.25%

Growth (annualized)

MetricMCDMELI
Revenue CAGR (5Y)6.95%46.59%
EPS CAGR (5Y)13.58%83.23%
FCF CAGR (5Y)5.78%73.42%
Total return CAGR (5Y)6.16%2.68%

Frequently asked

Which is better, MCD or MELI?
It depends on your goal. value: MCD (lower P/E); growth: MELI (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: MCD (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, MCD leads 9 to 6.
Is MCD or MELI cheaper?
On trailing earnings, MCD is cheaper: MCD trades at a 23.48 P/E and MELI at 41.96.
Which has grown faster, MCD or MELI?
Over the past five years, MELI grew revenue faster — MCD at a 6.95% CAGR versus MELI at 46.59%.
Does MCD or MELI pay a bigger dividend?
MCD pays a dividend (2.58% yield) while MELI does not currently pay one.
Is MCD or MELI more profitable?
MCD runs the higher net margin — MCD at 31.62% versus MELI at 6.04%.
Which has been the better investment, MCD or MELI?
Over the past 10-year, MELI delivered the higher annualized total return — MCD at 11.47% versus MELI at 28.09%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

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.