CSX Corporation vs McDonald's Corp — how do they compare? CSX Corporation trades at $50.03 (market cap $92.88B), while McDonald's Corp trades at $273.87 (market cap $193.70B). The key difference: McDonald's Corp is far larger — about 2.1× CSX Corporation's market cap, and McDonald's Corp pays the higher dividend (2.72%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CSX | MCD | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $92.88B | $193.70B |
Sector | Industrials | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $53.21 | $341.06 |
52-Week Low | $32.05 | $262.80 |
Enterprise Value | $110.85B | $247.47B |
Dividend Yield | 1.12% | 2.72% |
Volume | — | 2,230,036 |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
CSX trades at $50.27, down 0.85% on the day, with a neutral technical signal and bullish moving averages. Recent Q2 2026 earnings beat estimates with EPS of $0.54 versus $0.518 expected, driven by 10% revenue growth and 17% operating income increase. The company raised 2026 guidance to mid-to-high-single-digit revenue growth and margin expansion. Analyst consensus is bullish with 59% buy ratings and a $52.57 price target, implying 4.6% upside from current levels.
Outlook remains positive due to strong volume growth and operational efficiency, but risks include fuel cost pressures and economic sensitivity. The stock offers value through consistent dividends and earnings momentum, though valuation multiples appear elevated with P/E at 29.23. Investors should monitor execution against raised guidance and industry headwinds.
McDonald's (MCD) trades at $274.48, down 0.64% for the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and neutral oscillators. The company reported consistent earnings beats in recent quarters, with Q3 2026 EPS expected at $3.41. Revenue grew to $26.89 billion in 2025, supported by a net income margin of 31.72%. Recent news highlights the launch of the 'McDonald's NEXT' strategy focusing on automation and customer experience improvements.
The outlook remains positive with a consensus price target of $322.45, implying significant upside. Strong fundamentals and analyst buy ratings (59.68%) support growth, though risks include inflationary pressures on franchisee margins and high long-term debt of $38.42 billion. The stock offers a solid dividend yield with recent payouts of $1.86 per share.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Operating in the Eastern United States, Class I railroad CSX generated revenue near $12.5 billion in 2021. On its more than 21,000 miles of track, CSX hauls shipments of coal (13% of consolidated revenue), chemicals (22%), intermodal containers (16%), automotive cargo (9%), and a diverse mix of other bulk and industrial merchandise.
Read more on CSX →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 →