McDonald's CorporationMCD
NYSE•Consumer Cyclical•Restaurants
McDonald's Corporation owns, operates, and franchises restaurants under the McDonald's brand in the United States and internationally. It offers food and beverages, including hamburgers and cheeseburgers, various chicken sandwiches, fries, shakes, frozen desserts, sundaes, soft serve cones, cookies, pies, soft drinks, coffee, and other beverages; and full or limited breakfast, as well as sells various other products during limited-time promotions. The company owns and operates franchised restaurants under various structures, including conventional franchise, developmental license, or affiliate. McDonald's Corporation was founded in 1940 and is based in Chicago, Illinois.
McDonald's Corporation (MCD) reported trailing twelve months revenue of $27.45B as of March 2026, a 6.8% increase year-over-year. Quarterly revenue reached $6.52B, reflecting continued top-line momentum.
McDonald's Corporation generated $8.68B in TTM net income, with quarterly EBITDA of $2.95B. The operating margin expanded from 44.5% to 45.3%, suggesting improving cost efficiency and pricing discipline.
The spread between operating margin (45.3%) and net margin (30.4%) indicates moderate non-operating costs. Net margin has narrowed from 31.4% a year ago, reflecting increased costs or interest expense.
MCD trades at a P/E of 25.3x (in line with broad market averages) and a P/S of 8.0x.
The company generated $1.73B in free cash flow over the trailing twelve months, a 7.8% decrease year-over-year, indicating cash generation ability. The balance sheet shows $60.04B in total assets with $40.10B in long-term debt against $-1.29B in stockholders equity. Data based on the most recent quarterly reports.
Competitive analysis based on 21 quarters of fundamental data
Operating margins are expanding at ~45.7%, suggesting durable pricing power and cost discipline.
Limited ROE data for a reliable assessment.
Free cash flow is consistently positive and growing — a hallmark of a capital-light business that can self-fund growth.
Revenue shows resilience with 5 of 7 quarters posting growth — demand is generally stable but has seen some soft patches.
Data-driven red flags and warnings across 21 quarters
Margins are stable or improving at ~46.3% — no sign of cost or pricing stress.
FCF covers net income by 0.8x on average — earnings are well-supported by cash generation.
Limited debt-to-equity data available.
Revenue is stable or growing over recent quarters — demand appears durable.
Free cash flow is consistently positive — the business self-funds without external capital reliance.
Share count is stable — no significant dilution or buyback activity.
Quarterly standardized metrics.
Stock price and market valuation
Revenue and earnings growth across quarters
Assets, cash, debt, and leverage
Price multiples and return ratios
Operating efficiency and return metrics
Free cash flow, earnings quality, and capital allocation