A O Smith Corp vs McDonald's Corp — how do they compare? A O Smith Corp trades at $63.65 (market cap $8.48B), while McDonald's Corp trades at $273.79 (market cap $193.70B). The key difference: McDonald's Corp is far larger — about 22.8× A O Smith Corp's market cap, and McDonald's Corp pays the higher dividend (2.72%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AOS | MCD | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $8.48B | $193.70B |
Sector | Industrials | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $80.47 | $341.06 |
52-Week Low | $55.78 | $262.80 |
Enterprise Value | $8.98B | $247.47B |
Dividend Yield | 2.31% | 2.72% |
Volume | — | 2,230,036 |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
A. O. Smith Corporation (AOS) trades at $63.98, up 1.57% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and support at $63. Recent Q2 2026 earnings beat estimates at $1.03 per share, driven by North America strength, though net income margins softened to 13.15% in 2025. The company maintains solid profitability with a 27.13% ROE and a $0.36 dividend declared for H2-2026.
Outlook is mixed: analyst consensus targets $67.25 with 33% buy ratings, but Zacks flagged AOS as a strong sell in June 2026. Risks include higher input costs, weak China demand, and competitive pressures. Cash flow turned positive in 2026, yet revenue stagnation around $3.8B warrants caution for growth investors.
McDonald's (MCD) trades at $274.15, down slightly by 0.12% on the day, with technical indicators showing a neutral overall signal. The company demonstrates strong fundamentals with consistent revenue growth, reaching $26.89 billion in 2025, and robust profitability with a 31.72% net income margin. Recent earnings have consistently beaten expectations, and the company has announced a new global growth strategy focused on automation and menu innovation to drive future performance.
The outlook for MCD is positive, supported by strong analyst consensus with a $322.45 price target implying significant upside. Key opportunities include the successful execution of its new growth plan and its defensive qualities in a challenging economy. Primary risks involve inflationary pressures on franchisee margins and intense competition in the quick-service restaurant sector.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
A.O. Smith Corporation manufactures and markets comprehensive lines of residential and commercial gas, gas tankless, and electric water heaters. Supplementary products include water heating equipment, condensing and noncondensing boilers, and water system tanks. The company's two operating segments are by geographic region: North America (majority of total revenue) and the Rest of the World. A material portion of sales in North America derive from replacing existing products, and the company utilizes a wholesale distribution channel and multiple selling locations. The Rest of the World segment sells primarily to Asian countries and operates sales offices to expand distribution and market its product portfolio.
Read more on AOS →McDonald's Corporation franchises and operates fast-food restaurants in the global restaurant industry. The Company's restaurants serves a variety of value-priced menu products in countries around the world.
Read more on MCD →