MCD vs RCL
McDonald's Corporation compared with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. on yield, payout growth, payment schedule, cost and risk.
MCD
McDonald's Corporation
TTM yield · Quarterly
RCL
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
TTM yield · Quarterly
Quick take
- MCD yields more today: 2.91% vs 2.27% (forward).
- RCL has grown its payout faster: 104.1%/yr vs 5.1%/yr over the last 1 year.
- Both pay every quarter.
- MCD has the longer streak of annual increases: 17 years vs 1.
- Over the last year MCD delivered the higher total return: -16.0% vs -25.8% (price change plus payouts).
- MCD raises fewer payout-risk flags on our heuristic (low vs low).
Generated from the latest data on both pages. Not a recommendation.
Side by side
| Metric | MCD | RCL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $255.84 | $264.50 |
| TTM yield | 2.91% | 1.89% |
| Forward yield | 2.91% | 2.27% |
| Annual payout per share | $7.44 | $6.00 |
| Payment frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Next ex-date | Dec 1, 2026 (est.) | Sep 17, 2026 (declared) |
| Payout ratio (earnings) | 60% | 31% |
| 1-year payout growth | +5.1% | +104.1% |
| 5-year payout CAGR | +7.6% | — |
| Consecutive years of increases | 17 years | 1 year |
| Payout consistency (last 12) | 96/100 | 63/100 |
| 1-year total return | -16.0% | -25.8% |
| 1-year price return | -18.4% | -27.2% |
| Size (market cap / AUM) | 181.0B | 70.7B |
| Years paying | 58.3 | 33.0 |
| Payout risk (heuristic) | Low | Low |
| Sector / category | Consumer Cyclical | Consumer Cyclical |
✓ marks the more favourable figure where one exists (higher yield, growth, streak, consistency, return and size; lower cost, payout ratio and risk).
$10,000 invested today
| MCD | RCL | |
|---|---|---|
| Shares | 39.1 | 37.8 |
| Income per year | $291 | $227 |
| Income per month (avg) | $24 | $19 |
Next payments
| Ex-date | Pay date | Per share | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCD Dec 1, 2026 | Dec 15, 2026 | $1.86 | Est. |
| MCD Mar 2, 2027 | Mar 16, 2027 | $1.86 | Est. |
| MCD Jun 1, 2027 | Jun 15, 2027 | $1.86 | Est. |
| RCL Sep 17, 2026 | Oct 8, 2026 | $1.50 | Declared |
| RCL Dec 16, 2026 | Dec 30, 2026 | $1.50 | Est. |
| RCL Mar 16, 2027 | Mar 30, 2027 | $1.50 | Est. |
Annual payouts per share
MCDRCL
Regular payments only; the current year is year to date. Per-share amounts are not directly comparable when share prices differ, so read this chart for growth trends.
FAQ
Which has the higher dividend yield, MCD or RCL?
MCD currently has the higher trailing yield: MCD yields 2.91% and RCL yields 1.89%. Yield changes daily with price, so check the live figures above.
How often do MCD and RCL pay?
MCD pays every quarter and RCL pays every quarter. MCD's next ex-date is Dec 1, 2026 and RCL's is Sep 17, 2026.
Which has grown its dividend faster, MCD or RCL?
RCL has grown its payout faster: 104.1%/yr vs 5.1%/yr over the last 1 year.
Is MCD or RCL better for income?
It depends on what you are optimising for. MCD and RCL differ in yield, growth, payment schedule and risk profile; the table above puts every metric side by side so you can weigh them for your own goals. This page is data, not advice.