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McDonald's vs Starbucks
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MCD vs SBUX: the verdict
How MCD and SBUX compare today, and what CleaRank Financial AI makes of it.
The verdict
CleaRank Financial AI favours
SBUX
MCD
SBUX
49/100
AI score
54/100
-19.5%
1-year change
+19.3%
18.2%
Volatility (30d, yearly)
25.6%
58.2
RSI (14-day)
65.1
20.2x
P/E ratio
59.4x
2.98%
Dividend yield
2.42%
The verdict
Starbucks (SBUX) comes out ahead on CleaRank's model, scoring 54/100 (Hold) against 49/100 (Hold) for McDonald's (MCD). The widest gap is the trend: for SBUX, the price is 3.13% above its 200-day average and 3.30% above its 50-day average.
Key difference
Momentum also favours SBUX: the 14-day RSI of 65.1 is in the bullish zone and the MACD line is positive.
Outlook
MCD would need to regain its 50-day average at $249.79 and its 200-day at $284.56 to turn its downtrend. SBUX's uptrend holds while it stays above its 50-day average at $99.41 and its 200-day at $99.57.
Price, side by side
Both prices start at 0% on the first day of the period you pick, so the moves compare directly.
Rebased price
-5%0%+5%+8.3%+6.1%
Oct '26
-15%-10%-5%0%+5%-0.9%-7.3%
Aug '26Sep '26Oct '26
-20%-10%0%+10%+4.9%-14%
May '26Jun '26Jul '26Aug '26Sep '26Oct '26
-20%-10%0%+10%+20%+30%+19%-18%
Nov '25Jan '26Mar '26Jun '26Aug '26Oct '26
-20%-10%0%+10%+20%+11%-13%
Sep '24Feb '25Jul '25Dec '25May '26Oct '26
Over 1 year: MCD lost 18.0% and SBUX gained 19.3%, a gap of 37.3 points in SBUX's favour.
Valuation and profitability
What each costs relative to its earnings and sales, and how much of its revenue it keeps.
Side by side
Valuation
Lower multiples mean you pay less for each dollar of earnings or sales.
MCD
SBUX
$176.5B
Market cap
$117.1B
20.2x
P/E ratio
59.4x
6.3x
Price / sales
3.1x
15.4x
EV / EBITDA
23.7x
Profitability
How much of each dollar of revenue becomes profit, and how hard the capital works.
MCD
SBUX
+3.8%
Revenue growth (quarter, y/y)
-1.4%
31.7%
Net margin
5.2%
13.3%
Return on assets
8.0%
-0.53
Debt / equity
-0.03
On valuation
SBUX carries the higher trailing P/E, at 59.36 compared with 20.18 for MCD. Measured against a Consumer Cyclical median of 20.8, MCD's P/E is broadly in line with peers, while SBUX's sits at a premium to peers. MCD commands the richer sales multiple, at 6.35 times against 3.05. In size, MCD is the bigger company, with a market value of $175.8B to $117.1B.
On profitability
MCD keeps more of its sales as profit, with a net margin of 31.72% against 5.17%. In the latest quarter, year on year, revenue grew 3.76% at MCD and fell 1.41% at SBUX. MCD has a trailing dividend yield of 2.98%. SBUX has a trailing dividend yield of 2.42%.
Earnings reality check
MCD
MCD beat the estimate in 3 of its last 6 reports (latest Aug '26); the shares fell the next session after 0 of those beats.
Surprise
Next session
May '25Nov '25Aug '26
SBUX
SBUX beat the estimate in 3 of its last 8 reports (latest Jul '26); the shares fell the next session after 0 of those beats.
Surprise
Next session
Jan '25Jul '25Jan '26Jul '26
Momentum and sentiment
The indicators behind each AI score, side by side.
Indicators side by side
MCD
SBUX
49/100
AI score
54/100
58.2
RSI (14-day)
65.1
+0.2%
Price against 50-day average
+3.3%
-12.2%
Price against 200-day average
+3.1%
Technicals
Its 14-day RSI is 57.7, in the neutral zone. SBUX is in an uptrend, trading 3.30% above its 50-day average and 3.13% above its 200-day average. Its 14-day RSI is 65.1, in the bullish zone, with the MACD line positive. SBUX sits higher in its 52-week range, at 76% against 18% for MCD.
Sentiment
Of the 34 analysts covering MCD, 19 rate it buy, 14 hold and 1 sell; their median target is $293.00, 17.5% above the price. Of the 35 analysts covering SBUX, 14 rate it buy, 19 hold and 2 sell; their median target is $110.00, 7.1% above the price.
Risk and practical tips
How much each moves, how much return each has paid for that risk, and what to watch if you hold either.
Risk measures
MCD
SBUX
18.2%
Volatility (30d, yearly)
25.6%
0.45
Beta against the S&P 500
0.98
-0.50
Sharpe ratio
0.12
Risk
They move about the same on an average day, 1.41% for MCD and 1.45% for SBUX. Against the S&P 500, MCD has a beta of 0.45 and SBUX 0.98. Their worst falls in the price history were 36.9% for MCD (August 2019 to March 2020) and 39.8% for SBUX (July 2021 to June 2022). SBUX moves more with the S&P 500; on the other measures we track the two are close.
ProTips
- For MCD, watch the 50-day SMA at $249.79 above the price and the 20-day EMA at $242.81 below it.
- For SBUX, watch the 52-week high at $110.51 above the price and the 200-day SMA at $99.57 below it.
MCD vs SBUX: long-term scenarios
Simulated paths from each price history. A range of outcomes, not a forecast.
Simulated growth of $10,000
$20K$40K$60K$62.1K$46.2K$20K$18.7K
202620282030203220342036
MCD
SBUX
$8,631
Downside, 2036 (10th)
$5,653
$19,961
Base case, 2036 (median)
$18,730
$46,163
Upside, 2036 (90th)
$62,058
In the median simulated path, $10,000 in MCD grows to about $20,000 and $10,000 in SBUX to about $18,700 by 2036. The paths come from each asset's own historical volatility and trend; they are statistical outcomes, not forecasts.
Trade plans for both
Entry, stop and target levels from each moving average and its volatility. Educational, not advice.
Actionable Trade Plans
Select Your Trade Bias
Risk Tolerance
Conservative
3%
Aggressive
Portfolio Value
$
✎
Position Size: $200 - $300 per asset
MCD
Current: $249.47
ENTRY ZONES
Conservative
$237.00
Aggressive
$249.47
RISK MANAGEMENT
STOP LOSS
$229.89
MAX LOSS
-3%
Volatility-Adjusted Stop Loss
Calculated based on volatility and technical support levels.
Profit Targets (Based on Conservative)
+5% from current
$261.94
+10% from current
$274.42
+15% from current
$286.89
SBUX
Current: $102.69
ENTRY ZONES
Conservative
$97.56
Aggressive
$102.69
RISK MANAGEMENT
STOP LOSS
$94.63
MAX LOSS
-3%
Volatility-Adjusted Stop Loss
Calculated based on volatility and technical support levels.
Profit Targets (Based on Conservative)
+5% from current
$107.82
+10% from current
$112.96
+15% from current
$118.09
Calculate Your Trade
Disclaimer
The content is for educational purposes only. The verdict weighs trend, valuation and risk together. Trading involves risk of loss. Note: The AI favored SBUX based on its price trend, on today's data.
MCD vs SBUX: questions people ask
Answered from the figures on this page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, MCD or SBUX?+
On CleaRank's model SBUX scores higher, 54/100 (Hold) against 49/100 (Hold) for MCD. This describes the data on this page and is not a personal recommendation.
Which has performed better over the past year, MCD or SBUX?+
SBUX has done better: its price rose 19.28% over the past year, while MCD fell 19.06%.
Which is cheaper on earnings, MCD or SBUX?+
Trailing P/E is lower for MCD, at 20.18, than for SBUX, at 59.36.
Which pays more income, MCD or SBUX?+
MCD pays the higher yield, at 2.98% against 2.42% for SBUX. A yield is the payout divided by the price, so it moves whenever either of those changes.
Which is riskier, MCD or SBUX?+
SBUX moves more with the S&P 500; on the other measures we track the two are close. Average daily move: 1.41% for MCD, 1.45% for SBUX. Beta against the S&P 500: 0.45 for MCD, 0.98 for SBUX. Worst fall in the price history: 36.9% for MCD, 39.8% for SBUX.
Which has stronger momentum right now, MCD or SBUX?+
SBUX has the higher 14-day RSI, 65.1 (bullish) against 57.7 (neutral) for MCD. Readings above 70 or below 30 mark stretched momentum.
Which is the bigger company, MCD or SBUX?+
MCD is the larger company, with a market value of $175.8B, compared with $117.1B for SBUX.
What do analysts say about MCD and SBUX?+
MCD has 19 buy ratings out of 34, and its median target sits 17.5% above the price. SBUX has 14 buy ratings out of 35, with a median target 7.1% above its price.
How would $10,000 have grown in MCD or SBUX?+
Invested in October 2016, $10,000 would be worth $28,141 today in MCD and $23,784 in SBUX.