WallStSmart

Arista Networks (ANET)vsMcDonald’s Corporation (MCD)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

McDonald’s Corporation generates 183% more annual revenue ($27.45B vs $9.71B). ANET leads profitability with a 38.3% profit margin vs 31.6%. ANET appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 2.18. ANET earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 72/100 (B).

ANET

Strong Buy

72

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 9.3Profit: 9.5Value: 5.3Quality: 6.8
Piotroski: 2/9Altman Z: 3.53

MCD

Buy

56

out of 100

Grade: C

Growth: 6.0Profit: 8.0Value: 4.3Quality: 6.5
Piotroski: 3/9Altman Z: 2.79
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

ANETUndervalued (+63.9%)

Margin of Safety

+63.9%

Fair Value

$465.25

Current Price

$166.15

$299.10 discount

UndervaluedFair: $465.25Overvalued

Intrinsic value data unavailable for MCD.

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

ANET6 strengths · Avg: 9.8/10
Market CapQuality
$212.91B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Profit MarginProfitability
38.3%10/10

Keeps 38 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
42.7%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 42.7%

Revenue GrowthGrowth
35.1%10/10

Revenue surging 35.1% year-over-year

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
3.5310/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

Return on EquityProfitability
27.6%9/10

Every $100 of equity generates 28 in profit

MCD5 strengths · Avg: 9.6/10
Market CapQuality
$203.29B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Profit MarginProfitability
31.6%10/10

Keeps 32 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
44.3%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 44.3%

Debt/EquityHealth
-42.6810/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

Free Cash FlowQuality
$1.73B8/10

Generating 1.7B in free cash flow

Areas to Watch

ANET4 concerns · Avg: 3.3/10
PEG RatioValuation
2.184/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Price/BookValuation
15.5x4/10

Trading at 15.5x book value

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
2/93/10

Weak financial health signals

P/E RatioValuation
58.1x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

MCD3 concerns · Avg: 2.7/10
Return on EquityProfitability
0.0%3/10

ROE of 0.0% — below average capital efficiency

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
3/93/10

Weak financial health signals

PEG RatioValuation
2.612/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : ANET

The strongest argument for ANET centers on Market Cap, Profit Margin, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 38.3% and operating margin at 42.7%. Revenue growth of 35.1% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bull Case : MCD

The strongest argument for MCD centers on Market Cap, Profit Margin, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 31.6% and operating margin at 44.3%.

Bear Case : ANET

The primary concerns for ANET are PEG Ratio, Price/Book, Piotroski F-Score. A P/E of 58.1x leaves little room for execution misses.

Bear Case : MCD

The primary concerns for MCD are Return on Equity, Piotroski F-Score, PEG Ratio.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

ANET profiles as a growth stock while MCD is a mature play — different risk/reward profiles.

ANET carries more volatility with a beta of 1.61 — expect wider price swings.

ANET is growing revenue faster at 35.1% — sustainability is the question.

MCD generates stronger free cash flow (1.7B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

ANET scores higher overall (72/100 vs 56/100), backed by strong 38.3% margins and 35.1% revenue growth. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

Arista Networks

TECHNOLOGY · COMPUTER HARDWARE · USA

Arista Networks (formerly Arastra) is an American computer networking company headquartered in Santa Clara, California. The company designs and sells multilayer network switches to deliver software-defined networking (SDN) solutions for large datacenter, cloud computing, high-performance computing, and high-frequency trading environments.

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McDonald’s Corporation

CONSUMER CYCLICAL · RESTAURANTS · USA

McDonald's Corporation is an American fast food company, founded in 1940 as a restaurant operated by Richard and Maurice McDonald, in San Bernardino, California, United States. They rechristened their business as a hamburger stand, and later turned the company into a franchise, with the Golden Arches logo being introduced in 1953 at a location in Phoenix, Arizona.

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