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MCD vs. SW: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

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Here’s a clear look at MCD and SW, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

SymbolMCDSW
Company NameMcDonald's CorporationSmurfit Westrock Plc
CountryUnited StatesIreland
GICS SectorConsumer DiscretionaryMaterials
GICS IndustryHotels, Restaurants & LeisureContainers & Packaging
Market Capitalization223.42 billion USD21.90 billion USD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateJuly 5, 1966June 17, 2008
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of MCD and SW by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

MCD vs. SW: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

SymbolMCDSW
5-Day Price Return1.34%-4.05%
13-Week Price Return-2.54%-9.57%
26-Week Price Return0.99%-23.24%
52-Week Price Return8.88%-3.54%
Month-to-Date Return4.34%-5.48%
Year-to-Date Return8.00%-22.11%
10-Day Avg. Volume3.35M4.11M
3-Month Avg. Volume3.50M3.61M
3-Month Volatility15.56%31.62%
Beta0.511.10

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

MCD

95.13%

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure Industry

Max
83.01%
Q3
39.51%
Median
17.38%
Q1
5.32%
Min
-45.92%

MCD’s Return on Equity of 95.13% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.

SW

2.94%

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max
41.66%
Q3
20.76%
Median
14.35%
Q1
6.55%
Min
3.64%

A Return on Equity of 2.94% places SW below the typical range for the Containers & Packaging industry. This suggests challenges in efficiently using shareholder capital to generate profit, which could point to operational issues or a conservative capital structure.

MCD vs. SW: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure and Containers & Packaging industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

MCD

32.21%

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure Industry

Max
26.45%
Q3
14.67%
Median
8.69%
Q1
3.34%
Min
-11.30%

MCD’s Net Profit Margin of 32.21% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.

SW

1.18%

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max
11.61%
Q3
8.17%
Median
4.91%
Q1
4.20%
Min
0.08%

Falling into the lower quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry, SW’s Net Profit Margin of 1.18% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.

MCD vs. SW: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure and Containers & Packaging industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

MCD

45.80%

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure Industry

Max
38.76%
Q3
21.15%
Median
14.20%
Q1
6.43%
Min
-14.56%

MCD’s Operating Profit Margin of 45.80% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure industry. This demonstrates outstanding efficiency in managing its core operations, which can be a result of strong pricing power or superior cost control.

SW

4.20%

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max
22.03%
Q3
13.17%
Median
8.87%
Q1
6.86%
Min
0.07%

SW’s Operating Profit Margin of 4.20% is in the lower quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.

MCD vs. SW: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure and Containers & Packaging industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolMCDSW
Return on Equity (TTM)95.13%2.94%
Return on Assets (TTM)14.78%1.17%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)32.21%1.18%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)45.80%4.20%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)57.00%19.46%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

MCD

1.30

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure Industry

Max
2.68
Q3
1.62
Median
1.11
Q1
0.74
Min
0.19

MCD’s Current Ratio of 1.30 aligns with the median group of the Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

SW

1.45

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max
2.13
Q3
1.57
Median
1.27
Q1
1.13
Min
0.58

SW’s Current Ratio of 1.45 aligns with the median group of the Containers & Packaging industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

MCD vs. SW: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure and Containers & Packaging industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

MCD

40.64

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure Industry

Max
9.88
Q3
4.54
Median
1.52
Q1
0.27
Min
0.00

With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 40.64, MCD operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.

SW

0.79

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max
4.50
Q3
2.23
Median
1.22
Q1
0.54
Min
0.23

SW’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.79 is typical for the Containers & Packaging industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

MCD vs. SW: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure and Containers & Packaging industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

MCD

9.26

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure Industry

Max
26.88
Q3
11.95
Median
3.87
Q1
1.19
Min
-11.84

MCD’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 9.26 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

SW

2.41

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max
13.16
Q3
8.10
Median
3.61
Q1
2.94
Min
1.06

In the lower quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry, SW’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.41 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.

MCD vs. SW: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure and Containers & Packaging industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolMCDSW
Current Ratio (MRQ)1.301.45
Quick Ratio (MRQ)1.030.95
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)40.640.79
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)9.262.41

Growth

Revenue Growth

MCD vs. SW: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

MCD vs. SW: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

MCD

2.24%

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure Industry

Max
5.88%
Q3
2.37%
Median
0.68%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

MCD’s Dividend Yield of 2.24% is consistent with its peers in the Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

SW

3.50%

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max
7.37%
Q3
4.07%
Median
3.33%
Q1
1.72%
Min
0.00%

SW’s Dividend Yield of 3.50% is consistent with its peers in the Containers & Packaging industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

MCD vs. SW: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure and Containers & Packaging industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

MCD

59.51%

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure Industry

Max
127.31%
Q3
56.79%
Median
19.58%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

MCD’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 59.51% is in the upper quartile for the Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.

SW

85.87%

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max
221.20%
Q3
119.52%
Median
58.05%
Q1
28.91%
Min
0.00%

SW’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 85.87% is within the typical range for the Containers & Packaging industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

MCD vs. SW: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure and Containers & Packaging industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

SymbolMCDSW
Dividend Yield (TTM)2.24%3.50%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)59.51%85.87%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

MCD

26.59

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure Industry

Max
59.44
Q3
33.98
Median
22.25
Q1
15.53
Min
7.61

MCD’s P/E Ratio of 26.59 is within the middle range for the Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

SW

41.59

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max
35.98
Q3
27.87
Median
16.15
Q1
14.38
Min
8.20

At 41.59, SW’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Containers & Packaging industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.

MCD vs. SW: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure and Containers & Packaging industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

MCD

8.56

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure Industry

Max
7.74
Q3
3.88
Median
2.05
Q1
1.19
Min
0.17

With a P/S Ratio of 8.56, MCD trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

SW

0.49

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max
2.91
Q3
1.67
Median
0.83
Q1
0.64
Min
0.30

In the lower quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry, SW’s P/S Ratio of 0.49 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.

MCD vs. SW: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure and Containers & Packaging industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

MCD

160.46

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure Industry

Max
20.90
Q3
9.78
Median
4.29
Q1
2.22
Min
0.47

At 160.46, MCD’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.

SW

1.23

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max
5.28
Q3
3.30
Median
2.35
Q1
1.57
Min
0.89

SW’s P/B Ratio of 1.23 is in the lower quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.

MCD vs. SW: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure and Containers & Packaging industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolMCDSW
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)26.5941.59
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)8.560.49
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)160.461.23
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)32.3642.07