McDonald's Corp vs Paycom Software Inc — how do they compare? McDonald's Corp trades at $267.39 (market cap $190.16B), while Paycom Software Inc trades at $148.01 (market cap $6.98B). The key difference: McDonald's Corp is far larger — about 27.2× Paycom Software Inc's market cap, and McDonald's Corp pays the higher dividend (2.78%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| MCD | PAYC | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $190.16B | $6.98B |
Volume | 2,230,036 | — |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Technology |
52-Week High | $341.06 | $238.80 |
52-Week Low | $264.54 | $113.59 |
Enterprise Value | $243.87B | $7.59B |
Dividend Yield | 2.78% | 1% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
McDonald's stock trades at $267.64, down slightly by 0.03% on the day, and is currently in a bearish technical trend according to moving averages. The company reported Q1 2026 earnings that beat expectations with EPS of $2.83 versus $2.74 expected, and revenue growth remains steady, reaching $26.89 billion in 2025. Recent news highlights the launch of the 'McDonald's NEXT' growth strategy focusing on automation and improved customer experience to counter competitive pressures.
The outlook for McDonald's is supported by strong fundamentals including a high net income margin of 31.62% and a consensus analyst price target of $329, implying significant upside. However, risks include inflationary pressures on franchisee margins and high long-term debt of $38.42 billion. Investor sentiment is mixed with a bearish technical signal but optimistic analyst ratings, with 58% recommending buy.
Paycom Software (PAYC) trades at $149.71, up 1.2% with a bullish technical signal supported by moving averages. The company shows strong profitability with 22.44% net income margin and 37.15% ROE, though recent Q3 2025 EPS slightly missed expectations. Recent developments include new asset management tool launches and board appointments, while analyst consensus sits at $151 price target with 47% buy ratings.
PAYC presents a balanced investment case with solid fundamentals and moderate valuation (P/E 17.12), though execution risks and competitive pressures in HCM software require monitoring. The stock's proximity to resistance at $152 suggests near-term consolidation potential, while earnings growth remains the key catalyst for further upside.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
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 →Paycom is a fast-growing provider of payroll and human capital management, or HCM, software primarily targeting clients with 50-10,000 employees in the United States. Paycom was established in 1998 and services about 18,000 clients as of 2021, based on parent company grouping. Alongside its core payroll software, Paycom offers various HCM add-on modules, including time and attendance, talent management, and benefits administration.
Read more on PAYC →