Compare StocksMCD vs UNP

McDonald's Corporation (MCD) vs Union Pacific Corporation (UNP)

MCD
McDonald's Corporation
$286.64
VS
UNP
Union Pacific Corporation
$266.32

Rewards

MCD
  • McDonald's Corporation has maintained ROIC above 15% for 4 consecutive years, indicating a durable competitive advantage.
  • McDonald's Corporation scores 91/100 on the Economic Moat Score (Wide Moat), with revenue predictability as the strongest competitive dimension.
  • Each dollar of retained earnings has created $2.47 of earning power — management is an exceptional capital allocator.
UNP
  • Union Pacific Corporation has maintained ROIC above 10% for 4 consecutive years, suggesting solid business economics.
  • Union Pacific Corporation scores 80/100 on the Economic Moat Score (Wide Moat), with margin stability as the strongest competitive dimension.
  • Return on equity has consistently exceeded 20% over 4 years, indicating efficient use of shareholder capital.

Risks

MCD
  • PEG ratio of 2.93 indicates the stock is expensive relative to its expected growth — the market may be pricing in more growth than analysts project.
  • 10 insider sales totaling $24.1M with no purchases in the past 3 months — insiders are reducing their exposure.
UNP
  • Each dollar of retained earnings has produced only $0.15 of earning power — shareholders may have been better served by dividends.
  • PEG ratio of 3.54 indicates the stock is expensive relative to its expected growth — the market may be pricing in more growth than analysts project.
  • Insiders have sold $8.5M worth of stock in the past 3 months — significant insider liquidation.

Key Valuation Metrics

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MCD
UNP
Valuation
$6.30B
Free Cash Flow
$5.50B
3.09%
FCF Yield
3.48%
23.99
Trailing P/E
21.94
19.97
Forward P/E
19.46
Quality & Moat
17.46%
ROIC
15.46%
N/A
ROE
36.76%
57.41%
Gross Margin
56.53%
2.93
PEG Ratio
3.54
Balance Sheet Safety
N/A
Debt / Equity
1.62
N/A
Interest Coverage
N/A
3.70
Net Debt / EBITDA
2.42
2.60%
Dividend Yield
2.07%
MCD: 4Ties: 3UNP: 3
MCDUNP

Historical Fundamentals

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MCD

Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.

UNP

Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.

Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.

$1 Retained Earnings Test

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MCD
$2.28
created per $1 retained over 3 years
Exceptional Value Creator
Σ Retained
$10.74B
Δ Market Cap
+$24.46B
Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
UNP
$0.98
created per $1 retained over 3 years
Mediocre Allocator
Σ Retained
$10.64B
Δ Market Cap
+$10.42B
Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer

Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer

Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Analysis

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MCD
44.4% Overvalued
Price is 44.4% above estimated fair value
Current Price: $286.64
Fair Value: $198.52
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
UNP
17.9% Overvalued
Price is 17.9% above estimated fair value
Current Price: $266.32
Fair Value: $225.93
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued

Reverse DCF — Market-Implied Growth

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MCD

What growth rate is the market pricing in at $287?

+13.3%
Market-Implied Owner Earnings Growth
Standard FCF implies +17.5%

The market implies +13.3% Owner Earnings growth, roughly in line with history — reasonably priced.

Standard FCF implies +17.5%, reflecting ongoing growth investment.

UNP

What growth rate is the market pricing in at $266?

+11.5%
Market-Implied Owner Earnings Growth
Standard FCF implies +15.0%

The market implies +11.5% Owner Earnings growth, above historical trends.

Standard FCF implies a demanding +15.0%, reflecting heavy growth investment.

Economic Moat Score

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MCD
91/100
Wide Moat
70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None

Wide moat with strength across all dimensions. Revenue Predictability is the standout factor.

Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 4 years of fundamental data.
UNP
80/100
Wide Moat
70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None

Wide moat driven primarily by margin stability. Reinvestment Efficiency is the area most vulnerable to competitive pressure.

Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 4 years of fundamental data.

Forensic Accounting

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MCD
-2.62
Unlikely Manipulator
Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone

M-Score Trend

Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.
UNP
-2.61
Unlikely Manipulator
Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone

M-Score Trend

Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.

Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.

Ownership Breakdown

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MCD
Insiders 0.3%Institutions 75.7%Retail & Other 24.1%
No. of Institutional Holders4,401
High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.
UNP
Insiders 0.1%Institutions 89.0%Retail & Other 10.9%
No. of Institutional Holders3,420
High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.

High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.

Insider Buying Activity

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MCD
0
Buys (3M)
0
Buys (12M)
No open market insider purchases found.
Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises
UNP
0
Buys (3M)
0
Buys (12M)
No open market insider purchases found.
Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises

Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises.

Insider Selling Activity

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MCD
10
Sells (3M)
27
Sells (12M)
Total value (12M): $44.41M
ERLINGER JOSEPH M
Officer
$100,806
@ $302.72 · 2026-04-23
ERLINGER JOSEPH M
Officer
$806,182
@ $307.00 · 2026-04-10
ERLINGER JOSEPH M
Officer
$104,386
@ $313.47 · 2026-03-23
BARONI DARIO
Officer
$194,262
@ $323.77 · 2026-03-18
ERLINGER JOSEPH M
Officer
$862,221
@ $328.34 · 2026-03-10
BANNER JONATHAN
Officer
$2.07M
@ $333.32 · 2026-02-23
ERLINGER JOSEPH M
Officer
$110,033
@ $330.43 · 2026-02-23
KEMPCZINSKI CHRISTOPHER J
Chief Executive Officer
$17.47M
@ $332.44 · 2026-02-13
FLATLEY EDITH MORGAN
Officer
$1.55M
@ $331.00 · 2026-02-12
ERLINGER JOSEPH M
Officer
$854,106
@ $325.25 · 2026-02-10
ERLINGER JOSEPH M
Officer
$805,079
@ $306.58 · 2026-01-12
RALLS-MORRISON DESIREE ANN
Officer
$795,520
@ $320.00 · 2025-12-16
FLATLEY EDITH MORGAN
Officer
$207,270
@ $315.00 · 2025-12-12
STEIJAERT MANUEL JM
Officer
$2.01M
@ $305.50 · 2025-12-01
BORDEN IAN FREDERICK
Chief Financial Officer
$5.31M
@ $310.00 · 2025-11-21
ERLINGER JOSEPH M
Officer
$977,095
@ $305.82 · 2025-11-14
STEIJAERT MANUEL JM
Officer
$3.95M
@ $300.42 · 2025-11-05
FLATLEY EDITH MORGAN
Officer
$315,000
@ $315.00 · 2025-09-02
FLATLEY EDITH MORGAN
Officer
$1.49M
@ $315.00 · 2025-08-20
BANNER JONATHAN
Officer
$310,000
@ $310.00 · 2025-08-19
RALLS-MORRISON DESIREE ANN
Officer
$770,970
@ $310.00 · 2025-08-06
FLATLEY EDITH MORGAN
Officer
$296,216
@ $303.50 · 2025-08-01
ERLINGER JOSEPH M
Officer
$281,221
@ $299.49 · 2025-07-23
FLATLEY EDITH MORGAN
Officer
$300,000
@ $300.00 · 2025-07-10
ERLINGER JOSEPH M
Officer
$270,920
@ $288.52 · 2025-06-23
ERLINGER JOSEPH M
President
$295,851
@ $315.07 · 2025-05-23
STEIJAERT MANUEL JM
Officer
$1.92M
@ $319.66 · 2025-05-20
ERLINGER JOSEPH M
Officer
$299,072
@ $318.50 · 2025-04-23
ERLINGER JOSEPH M
Officer
$287,616
@ $306.30 · 2025-03-24
BOYD TIFFANIE L
Officer
$309,270
@ $309.27 · 2025-02-27
STEIJAERT MANUEL JM
Officer
$3.23M
@ $308.71 · 2025-02-24
ERLINGER JOSEPH M
Officer
$286,395
@ $305.00 · 2025-02-24
GROSS MARION K
Officer
$334,871
@ $304.71 · 2025-02-21
BANNER JONATHAN
Officer
$456,495
@ $304.33 · 2025-02-21
FLATLEY EDITH MORGAN
Officer
$962,432
@ $300.76 · 2025-02-19
BANNER JONATHAN
Officer
$2.83M
@ $307.41 · 2025-02-13
KEMPCZINSKI CHRISTOPHER J
Chief Executive Officer
$3.26M
@ $310.05 · 2025-02-11
ERLINGER JOSEPH M
Officer
$84,225
@ $280.75 · 2025-01-23
GROSS MARION K
Officer
$436,134
@ $290.95 · 2025-01-02
RALLS-MORRISON DESIREE ANN
Officer
$1.98M
@ $289.89 · 2024-12-31
ERLINGER JOSEPH M
Officer
$319,919
@ $291.10 · 2024-12-23
ERLINGER JOSEPH M
Officer
$321,458
@ $292.50 · 2024-11-25
GROSS MARION K
Officer
$441,470
@ $294.51 · 2024-11-01
ERLINGER JOSEPH M
Officer
$321,326
@ $292.38 · 2024-10-23
FLATLEY EDITH MORGAN
Officer
$727,260
@ $310.00 · 2024-10-14
KEMPCZINSKI CHRISTOPHER J
Chief Executive Officer
$2.83M
@ $305.00 · 2024-09-27
KEMPCZINSKI CHRISTOPHER J
Chief Executive Officer
$5.51M
@ $300.02 · 2024-09-24
BORDEN IAN FREDERICK
Chief Financial Officer
$1.78M
@ $300.04 · 2024-09-23
ERLINGER JOSEPH M
Officer
$328,128
@ $298.57 · 2024-09-23
KEMPCZINSKI CHRISTOPHER J
Chief Executive Officer
$1.18M
@ $300.00 · 2024-09-16
BORDEN IAN FREDERICK
Chief Financial Officer
$397,500
@ $300.00 · 2024-09-16
GROSS MARION K
Officer
$428,967
@ $286.36 · 2024-09-03
ERLINGER JOSEPH M
Officer
$316,993
@ $288.70 · 2024-08-23
ERLINGER JOSEPH M
Officer
$285,740
@ $260.00 · 2024-07-23
GROSS MARION K
Officer
$371,893
@ $248.26 · 2024-07-03
ERLINGER JOSEPH M
Officer
$285,480
@ $260.00 · 2024-06-21
ERLINGER JOSEPH M
Officer
$291,378
@ $265.13 · 2024-05-23
BANNER JONATHAN
Officer
$220,016
@ $275.02 · 2024-05-10
Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives
UNP
3
Sells (3M)
3
Sells (12M)
Total value (12M): $8.46M
HAMANN JENNIFER L
Chief Financial Officer
$549,400
@ $274.70 · 2026-04-24
ROCKER KENYATTA G.
Officer
$7.44M
@ $271.76 · 2026-04-24
GEHRINGER ERIC J.
Officer
$469,625
@ $234.93 · 2026-03-20
RICHARDSON CRAIG V
Officer
$1.64M
@ $252.00 · 2025-01-27
WHITED ELIZABETH F.
President
$1.88M
@ $250.00 · 2025-01-24
WHITED ELIZABETH F.
President
$875,905
@ $246.59 · 2024-07-30
Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives

Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives.

🎭 Mr. Market's Mood

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MCD
FearGreed
😐Neutral(42/100)

"Market is pricing this stock without strong emotion in either direction"

Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.
UNP
FearGreed
😏Greed(65/100)

"Market is optimistic — be cautious and ensure you have a margin of safety"

Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.

Composite sentiment score based on market signals. Inspired by Buffett’s "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.

⚖️ Buffett Signal

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MCD
Awaiting DCF Data

The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.

DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Neutral (42)
UNP
Awaiting DCF Data

The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.

DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Greed (65)
View MCD Full AnalysisView UNP Full Analysis
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