Compare StocksMCD vs VZ

McDonald's Corporation (MCD) vs Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ)

MCD
McDonald's Corporation
$286.64
VS
VZ
Verizon Communications Inc.
$48.11

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.
VZ
  • Free cash flow has grown at a 23.7% CAGR over the past 4 years, demonstrating strong earnings power growth.
  • Dividend yield of 5.88% with a consistent or growing payout over the past 4 years.
  • FCF yield of 9.8% is historically attractive — the business generates significant cash relative to its price.

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.
VZ
  • PEG ratio of 2.73 indicates the stock is expensive relative to its expected growth — the market may be pricing in more growth than analysts project.
  • Altman Z-Score of 1.24 places the company in the distress zone — financial patterns resemble those of companies that experienced bankruptcy.

Key Valuation Metrics

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MCD
VZ
Valuation
$6.30B
Free Cash Flow
$19.61B
3.09%
FCF Yield
9.76%
23.99
Trailing P/E
11.73
19.97
Forward P/E
9.12
Quality & Moat
17.46%
ROIC
9.06%
N/A
ROE
16.42%
57.41%
Gross Margin
58.91%
2.93
PEG Ratio
2.73
Balance Sheet Safety
N/A
Debt / Equity
1.92
N/A
Interest Coverage
N/A
3.70
Net Debt / EBITDA
3.77
2.60%
Dividend Yield
5.88%
MCD: 1Ties: 3VZ: 6
MCDVZ

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.

VZ

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
VZ
$0.50
created per $1 retained over 3 years
Mediocre Allocator
Σ Retained
$12.54B
Δ Market Cap
+$6.29B
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
VZ
37.2% Overvalued
Price is 37.2% above estimated fair value
Current Price: $48.11
Fair Value: $35.06
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.

VZ

What growth rate is the market pricing in at $48?

+9.6%
Market-Implied Owner Earnings Growth
Standard FCF implies +7.8%

The market implies +9.6% Owner Earnings growth, above historical trends.

Standard FCF implies a demanding +7.8%, 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.
VZ
55/100
Narrow Moat
70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None

Narrow moat with margin stability as the key competitive advantage. Improving roic consistency would strengthen the moat.

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.
VZ
-2.69
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.
VZ
Insiders 0.1%Institutions 69.4%Retail & Other 30.5%
No. of Institutional Holders3,910
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
VZ
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
VZ
1
Sells (3M)
4
Sells (12M)
Total value (12M): $1.69M
STILLWELL MARY-LEE
Officer
$428,450
@ $50.00 · 2026-03-02
RUSSO JOSEPH J.
Officer
$429,906
@ $44.88 · 2026-02-02
MALADY KYLE
Officer
$438,101
@ $43.81 · 2025-05-08
MALADY KYLE
Officer
$396,900
@ $44.10 · 2025-05-07
MALADY KYLE
Officer
$329,062
@ $43.87 · 2025-04-30
MALADY KYLE
Officer
$430,240
@ $43.02 · 2025-04-24
MALADY KYLE
Officer
$212,425
@ $42.48 · 2025-04-23
VENKATESH VANDANA
Officer
$437,939
@ $43.79 · 2025-02-25
MALADY KYLE
Officer
$261,623
@ $39.70 · 2025-02-04
MALADY KYLE
Officer
$319,080
@ $39.88 · 2025-02-03
MALADY KYLE
Chief Executive Officer
$453,155
@ $40.88 · 2025-01-29
MALADY KYLE
Officer
$809,800
@ $40.49 · 2025-01-28
MALADY KYLE
Officer
$810,800
@ $40.54 · 2025-01-27
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.
VZ
FearGreed
😏Greed(64/100)

"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)
VZ
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 (64)
View MCD Full AnalysisView VZ Full Analysis
MCD vs VZ: Which Is the Better Buy? | SafetyMargin.io