Computed head-to-head · 6 dimensions
MCD vs YUM
McDonald's Corporation versus Yum! Brands, Inc. — yield, safety, growth trend, cost, scale, and tax treatment.
MCD wins 3–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but YUM can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
Scorecard at a glance
| Dimension | MCD | YUM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield | 2.74% | 1.93% | MCD wins |
| Dividend safety | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 | Tie |
| Growth trend | +0.52% vs 5y | +0.13% vs 5y | YUM wins |
| Volatility (beta) | 0.42 | 0.66 | MCD wins |
| Scale | $190.7B | $42.9B | MCD wins |
| Tax efficiency | Qualified-eligible | Qualified-eligible | Tie |
| Overall | 3 wins | 1 wins | MCD wins |
Dimension by dimension
MCD wins on yield (2.74% vs 1.93%)
On a $10,000 investment that's about $81 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
MCD's higher yield (2.74%) looks attractive but investors should weigh whether the extra income compensates for any additional risk versus YUM's 1.93% — especially if the higher yield is driven by covered calls or a falling share price.
Safety scores are too close to call (7.8/10 vs 8.0/10)
Both score within 0.3 points on our 0-10 dividend safety scale — comparable risk profiles on the signals we measure.
YUM shows healthier dividend-vs-price trend
YUM's yield is 0.13% above its 5y average, versus 0.52% for MCD. Lower (or below-average) yield trend often means price appreciation outpaced distributions — a healthier signal.
MCD is less volatile (beta 0.42 vs 0.66)
Lower beta means smaller swings vs the S&P 500 — generally a steadier hold for income investors.
MCD is 4.4× larger by market cap
Larger companies tend to have tighter spreads, deeper liquidity, and lower closure risk.
Both pay qualified-dividend-eligible distributions
Neither is structurally flagged for ordinary-income tax treatment. Most distributions should qualify for the lower long-term capital gains rate if holding-period requirements are met.
How we compare these
Every comparison on this page is computed from current public data, not written by hand. Yield comes from the most recent dividend distribution annualized over current price. Safety scores combine yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size — see our methodology for the exact formula. Tax-efficiency flags identify covered-call ETFs, REITs, and mREITs which distribute primarily as ordinary income.
This is educational, not investment advice.Scores reflect a snapshot of public data on the "as of" dates shown on each ticker's safety page. Verify on the issuer's investor relations page or your brokerage before making decisions.
Frequently asked
Which is better for income, MCD or YUM?
MCD wins 3–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but YUM can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
MCD vs YUM: which has a higher dividend yield?
MCD yields 2.74% and YUM yields 1.93%. On a $10,000 investment that's about $81 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
Is MCD or YUM a safer dividend in 2026?
MCD scores 7.8/10 (Solid) on the Infnits dividend safety scale. YUM scores 8.0/10 (Strong). YUM is the safer pick on our scoring model.
Which has better dividend growth, MCD or YUM?
YUM's yield is 0.13% above its 5y average, versus 0.52% for MCD. Lower (or below-average) yield trend often means price appreciation outpaced distributions — a healthier signal.
MCD vs YUM: which is more tax-efficient?
Neither is structurally flagged for ordinary-income tax treatment. Most distributions should qualify for the lower long-term capital gains rate if holding-period requirements are met.
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