WallStSmart

McDonald’s Corporation (MCD)vsWells Fargo & Company (WFC)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Wells Fargo & Company generates 198% more annual revenue ($80.04B vs $26.88B). MCD leads profitability with a 31.9% profit margin vs 26.7%. WFC appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.66. WFC earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 72/100 (B).

MCD

Buy

53

out of 100

Grade: C-

Growth: 6.0Profit: 8.0Value: 4.7Quality: 5.3
Piotroski: 3/9

WFC

Strong Buy

72

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 6.7Profit: 7.5Value: 10.0Quality: 5.8
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 0.43
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

MCDSignificantly Overvalued (-31.1%)

Margin of Safety

-31.1%

Fair Value

$237.84

Current Price

$311.70

$73.86 premium

UndervaluedFair: $237.84Overvalued
WFCUndervalued (+53.8%)

Margin of Safety

+53.8%

Fair Value

$173.78

Current Price

$80.26

$93.52 discount

UndervaluedFair: $173.78Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

MCD5 strengths · Avg: 9.6/10
Market CapQuality
$219.68B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Profit MarginProfitability
31.9%10/10

Keeps 32 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
45.1%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 45.1%

Debt/EquityHealth
-38.1210/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

Free Cash FlowQuality
$1.64B8/10

Generating 1.6B in free cash flow

WFC6 strengths · Avg: 8.5/10
Market CapQuality
$245.65B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Profit MarginProfitability
26.7%9/10

Keeps 27 of every $100 in revenue as profit

P/E RatioValuation
12.7x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Price/BookValuation
1.5x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Operating MarginProfitability
29.9%8/10

Strong operational efficiency at 29.9%

Free Cash FlowQuality
$4.12B8/10

Generating 4.1B in free cash flow

Areas to Watch

MCD4 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
P/E RatioValuation
25.8x4/10

Moderate valuation

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
2.742/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

WFC2 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.664/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
0.432/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : MCD

The strongest argument for MCD centers on Market Cap, Profit Margin, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 31.9% and operating margin at 45.1%.

Bull Case : WFC

The strongest argument for WFC centers on Market Cap, Profit Margin, P/E Ratio. Profitability is solid with margins at 26.7% and operating margin at 29.9%.

Bear Case : MCD

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

Bear Case : WFC

The primary concerns for WFC are PEG Ratio, Altman Z-Score.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

MCD profiles as a mature stock while WFC is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.

WFC carries more volatility with a beta of 1.07 — expect wider price swings.

MCD is growing revenue faster at 9.7% — sustainability is the question.

WFC generates stronger free cash flow (4.1B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

WFC scores higher overall (72/100 vs 53/100), backed by strong 26.7% margins. 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.

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.

Visit Website →

Wells Fargo & Company

FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - DIVERSIFIED · USA

Wells Fargo & Company is an American multinational financial services company with corporate headquarters in San Francisco, California, operational headquarters in Manhattan, and managerial offices throughout the United States and overseas.

Want to dig deeper into these stocks?