Analysis of Solvency Ratios
Quarterly Data
Solvency ratios also known as long-term debt ratios measure a company ability to meet long-term obligations.
Solvency Ratios (Summary)
McDonald’s Corp., solvency ratios (quarterly data)
Based on: 10-Q (reporting date: 2026-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-03-31).
The solvency profile exhibits a general trend toward reduced leverage and stable asset-backing, maintaining a consistent capacity to service interest obligations over the analyzed period from March 2022 to March 2026.
- Debt to Capital Ratio
- A consistent downward trend is observed in the debt to capital ratio, which declined from 1.21 in March 2022 to 1.03 by March 2026. Following a brief peak of 1.23 in mid-2022, the ratio experienced a steady contraction, indicating a systematic reduction in the reliance on debt relative to the total capital structure.
- Debt to Assets Ratio
- The debt to assets ratio remained relatively stable, fluctuating within a narrow band between 0.67 and 0.72. While a slight peak occurred at 0.72 in September 2022 and June 2024, the ratio returned to 0.67 by the end of the period. This stability suggests that the proportion of assets financed through debt has remained constant despite changes in total capital.
- Interest Coverage Ratio
- Interest coverage demonstrates sustained strength, remaining well above the critical threshold of 1.0. The ratio fluctuated between a low of 7.44 in September 2022 and a peak of 8.82 in September 2023, eventually stabilizing at 7.92 in March 2026. These figures indicate a robust ability to meet interest payments from operating earnings throughout the entire timeframe.
Overall, the data reflects a strengthening solvency position characterized by a declining debt-to-capital dependency and a highly stable relationship between total debt and total assets, underpinned by a strong and consistent interest coverage margin.
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Debt Ratios
Coverage Ratios
Debt to Equity
McDonald’s Corp., debt to equity calculation (quarterly data)
| Mar 31, 2026 | Dec 31, 2025 | Sep 30, 2025 | Jun 30, 2025 | Mar 31, 2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | Sep 30, 2024 | Jun 30, 2024 | Mar 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Sep 30, 2023 | Jun 30, 2023 | Mar 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Sep 30, 2022 | Jun 30, 2022 | Mar 31, 2022 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt | —) | —) | 1,800) | 602) | 80) | —) | 596) | —) | 604) | 2,192) | —) | —) | 524) | —) | —) | —) | —) | ||||||
| Long-term debt, excluding current maturities | 40,105) | 39,973) | 39,483) | 40,801) | 38,845) | 38,424) | 38,990) | 38,524) | 36,764) | 37,153) | 37,275) | 35,710) | 36,604) | 35,904) | 34,866) | 34,577) | 33,989) | ||||||
| Total debt | 40,105) | 39,973) | 41,283) | 41,403) | 38,925) | 38,424) | 39,586) | 38,524) | 37,368) | 39,345) | 37,275) | 35,710) | 37,128) | 35,904) | 34,866) | 34,577) | 33,989) | ||||||
| Shareholders’ equity (deficit) | (1,286) | (1,791) | (2,163) | (2,760) | (3,454) | (3,797) | (5,177) | (4,824) | (4,833) | (4,707) | (4,855) | (4,999) | (5,776) | (6,003) | (6,566) | (6,370) | (5,991) | ||||||
| Solvency Ratio | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt to equity1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| Benchmarks | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt to Equity, Competitors2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Airbnb Inc. | 0.32 | 0.24 | 0.23 | 0.26 | 0.25 | 0.24 | 0.23 | 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.24 | 0.22 | 0.39 | 0.38 | 0.36 | 0.36 | 0.38 | 0.42 | ||||||
| Booking Holdings Inc. | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11.29 | 4.49 | 2.50 | 2.37 | 2.23 | ||||||
| Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||||||
| DoorDash, Inc. | 0.27 | 0.27 | 0.29 | 0.30 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||||||
| Starbucks Corp. | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
Based on: 10-Q (reporting date: 2026-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-03-31).
1 Q1 2026 Calculation
Debt to equity = Total debt ÷ Shareholders’ equity (deficit)
= 40,105 ÷ -1,286 = —
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
The solvency profile exhibits a concurrent increase in total debt and a gradual reduction in the shareholders' equity deficit over the analyzed period. While nominal debt levels have trended upward, the equity position has shown a consistent recovery, narrowing the gap between assets and liabilities.
- Total Debt Trajectory
- Total debt increased from 33,989 million USD in March 2022 to 40,105 million USD by March 2026. The growth was most pronounced through December 2023, reaching 39,345 million USD, followed by a period of fluctuation that peaked at 41,403 million USD in June 2025. This trend indicates a sustained reliance on borrowed capital to fund operations or strategic initiatives.
- Shareholders' Equity Deficit Analysis
- A consistent negative equity position is observed throughout the period, though the deficit narrowed significantly over time. After hitting a peak deficit of -6,566 million USD in September 2022, the balance improved steadily. By March 2026, the deficit was reduced to -1,286 million USD, suggesting a systematic strengthening of the company's net asset position.
- Debt to Equity Interpretation
- The persistence of negative shareholders' equity results in a negative debt-to-equity ratio, a condition typically associated with aggressive share buyback programs or accumulated losses exceeding contributed capital. However, the contraction of the equity deficit from -5,991 million USD to -1,286 million USD, occurring alongside an increase in total debt, suggests an intentional balance sheet restructuring aimed at reducing the equity shortfall.
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Debt to Capital
McDonald’s Corp., debt to capital calculation (quarterly data)
| Mar 31, 2026 | Dec 31, 2025 | Sep 30, 2025 | Jun 30, 2025 | Mar 31, 2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | Sep 30, 2024 | Jun 30, 2024 | Mar 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Sep 30, 2023 | Jun 30, 2023 | Mar 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Sep 30, 2022 | Jun 30, 2022 | Mar 31, 2022 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt | —) | —) | 1,800) | 602) | 80) | —) | 596) | —) | 604) | 2,192) | —) | —) | 524) | —) | —) | —) | —) | ||||||
| Long-term debt, excluding current maturities | 40,105) | 39,973) | 39,483) | 40,801) | 38,845) | 38,424) | 38,990) | 38,524) | 36,764) | 37,153) | 37,275) | 35,710) | 36,604) | 35,904) | 34,866) | 34,577) | 33,989) | ||||||
| Total debt | 40,105) | 39,973) | 41,283) | 41,403) | 38,925) | 38,424) | 39,586) | 38,524) | 37,368) | 39,345) | 37,275) | 35,710) | 37,128) | 35,904) | 34,866) | 34,577) | 33,989) | ||||||
| Shareholders’ equity (deficit) | (1,286) | (1,791) | (2,163) | (2,760) | (3,454) | (3,797) | (5,177) | (4,824) | (4,833) | (4,707) | (4,855) | (4,999) | (5,776) | (6,003) | (6,566) | (6,370) | (5,991) | ||||||
| Total capital | 38,819) | 38,182) | 39,120) | 38,643) | 35,471) | 34,627) | 34,409) | 33,700) | 32,535) | 34,639) | 32,420) | 30,711) | 31,352) | 29,900) | 28,300) | 28,207) | 27,998) | ||||||
| Solvency Ratio | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt to capital1 | 1.03 | 1.05 | 1.06 | 1.07 | 1.10 | 1.11 | 1.15 | 1.14 | 1.15 | 1.14 | 1.15 | 1.16 | 1.18 | 1.20 | 1.23 | 1.23 | 1.21 | ||||||
| Benchmarks | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt to Capital, Competitors2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Airbnb Inc. | 0.24 | 0.20 | 0.19 | 0.20 | 0.20 | 0.19 | 0.19 | 0.20 | 0.20 | 0.20 | 0.18 | 0.28 | 0.27 | 0.26 | 0.26 | 0.27 | 0.30 | ||||||
| Booking Holdings Inc. | 1.90 | 1.42 | 1.39 | 1.56 | 1.62 | 1.32 | 1.29 | 1.34 | 1.32 | 1.24 | 1.05 | 1.05 | 0.92 | 0.82 | 0.71 | 0.70 | 0.69 | ||||||
| Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||||||
| DoorDash, Inc. | 0.21 | 0.21 | 0.22 | 0.23 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||||||
| Starbucks Corp. | 2.09 | 2.01 | 1.80 | 1.96 | 1.92 | 1.92 | 2.04 | 2.18 | 2.35 | 2.08 | 2.18 | 2.22 | 2.39 | 2.37 | 2.34 | 2.21 | 2.34 | ||||||
Based on: 10-Q (reporting date: 2026-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-03-31).
1 Q1 2026 Calculation
Debt to capital = Total debt ÷ Total capital
= 40,105 ÷ 38,819 = 1.03
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
An analysis of the solvency metrics reveals a long-term trend toward a more balanced capital structure, characterized by a consistent reduction in the debt-to-capital ratio despite a nominal increase in total debt obligations.
- Total Debt Evolution
- Total debt experienced a general upward trajectory over the analyzed period. Starting at 33,989 million USD in March 2022, liabilities reached a peak of 41,403 million USD in June 2025 before adjusting to 40,105 million USD by March 2026. This represents a net increase in total borrowing over the four-year span.
- Total Capital Expansion
- Total capital demonstrated steady growth, rising from 27,998 million USD in March 2022 to 38,819 million USD in March 2026. The growth in capital remained consistent, effectively keeping pace with and eventually outpacing the growth rate of total debt.
- Debt to Capital Ratio Dynamics
- The debt to capital ratio exhibits a sustained downward trend. After reaching a peak of 1.23 in June 2022, the ratio declined progressively to 1.03 by March 2026. The most pronounced contraction occurred between December 2024 and March 2026, where the ratio fell from 1.11 to 1.03. This compression indicates that the capital base expanded more rapidly than the debt obligations, thereby improving the overall solvency profile and reducing the relative reliance on borrowed funds.
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Debt to Assets
McDonald’s Corp., debt to assets calculation (quarterly data)
| Mar 31, 2026 | Dec 31, 2025 | Sep 30, 2025 | Jun 30, 2025 | Mar 31, 2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | Sep 30, 2024 | Jun 30, 2024 | Mar 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Sep 30, 2023 | Jun 30, 2023 | Mar 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Sep 30, 2022 | Jun 30, 2022 | Mar 31, 2022 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt | —) | —) | 1,800) | 602) | 80) | —) | 596) | —) | 604) | 2,192) | —) | —) | 524) | —) | —) | —) | —) | ||||||
| Long-term debt, excluding current maturities | 40,105) | 39,973) | 39,483) | 40,801) | 38,845) | 38,424) | 38,990) | 38,524) | 36,764) | 37,153) | 37,275) | 35,710) | 36,604) | 35,904) | 34,866) | 34,577) | 33,989) | ||||||
| Total debt | 40,105) | 39,973) | 41,283) | 41,403) | 38,925) | 38,424) | 39,586) | 38,524) | 37,368) | 39,345) | 37,275) | 35,710) | 37,128) | 35,904) | 34,866) | 34,577) | 33,989) | ||||||
| Total assets | 60,037) | 59,515) | 60,608) | 59,555) | 56,329) | 55,182) | 56,172) | 53,801) | 53,513) | 56,147) | 52,089) | 50,442) | 52,014) | 50,436) | 48,502) | 49,248) | 50,878) | ||||||
| Solvency Ratio | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt to assets1 | 0.67 | 0.67 | 0.68 | 0.70 | 0.69 | 0.70 | 0.70 | 0.72 | 0.70 | 0.70 | 0.72 | 0.71 | 0.71 | 0.71 | 0.72 | 0.70 | 0.67 | ||||||
| Benchmarks | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt to Assets, Competitors2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Airbnb Inc. | 0.09 | 0.09 | 0.09 | 0.07 | 0.08 | 0.10 | 0.09 | 0.08 | 0.08 | 0.10 | 0.09 | 0.09 | 0.10 | 0.12 | 0.12 | 0.10 | 0.12 | ||||||
| Booking Holdings Inc. | 0.66 | 0.64 | 0.59 | 0.60 | 0.59 | 0.60 | 0.58 | 0.59 | 0.61 | 0.58 | 0.54 | 0.53 | 0.48 | 0.49 | 0.42 | 0.39 | 0.44 | ||||||
| Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||||||
| DoorDash, Inc. | 0.14 | 0.14 | 0.15 | 0.16 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||||||
| Starbucks Corp. | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.51 | 0.49 | 0.49 | 0.50 | 0.52 | 0.53 | 0.51 | 0.52 | 0.54 | 0.54 | 0.53 | 0.54 | 0.54 | 0.55 | 0.51 | ||||||
Based on: 10-Q (reporting date: 2026-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-03-31).
1 Q1 2026 Calculation
Debt to assets = Total debt ÷ Total assets
= 40,105 ÷ 60,037 = 0.67
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
The analysis of solvency metrics from March 2022 through March 2026 reveals a consistent capital structure characterized by a stable Debt to Assets ratio. Despite fluctuations in absolute debt and asset levels, the ratio remained within a tight range of 0.67 to 0.72, indicating a disciplined approach to leveraging assets for financing.
- Debt to Assets Ratio Trend
- The ratio began at 0.67 in March 2022, peaking at 0.72 in September 2022 and again in September 2023. Following these peaks, the ratio stabilized around 0.70 for several quarters before trending downward to return to 0.67 by March 2026. This cyclical but narrow variance suggests that debt accumulation has been closely mirrored by asset growth.
- Total Debt Trajectory
- Total debt exhibited a general upward trend for the majority of the period, rising from 33,989 million US$ in March 2022 to a peak of 41,403 million US$ in June 2025. A slight contraction occurred in the final three quarters, with debt levels settling at 40,105 million US$ by March 2026.
- Total Asset Expansion
- Total assets followed a similar growth trajectory to total debt, increasing from 50,878 million US$ in March 2022 to a maximum of 60,608 million US$ in June 2025. The growth in assets provided the necessary balance to prevent the Debt to Assets ratio from escalating despite the increase in total liabilities.
- Solvency Correlation
- A strong correlation is observed between the growth of total assets and total debt. The stability of the solvency ratio throughout the period indicates that the organization maintained a constant proportion of debt-financing relative to its total asset base, effectively managing its long-term financial risk profile.
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Financial Leverage
McDonald’s Corp., financial leverage calculation (quarterly data)
| Mar 31, 2026 | Dec 31, 2025 | Sep 30, 2025 | Jun 30, 2025 | Mar 31, 2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | Sep 30, 2024 | Jun 30, 2024 | Mar 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Sep 30, 2023 | Jun 30, 2023 | Mar 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Sep 30, 2022 | Jun 30, 2022 | Mar 31, 2022 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | 60,037) | 59,515) | 60,608) | 59,555) | 56,329) | 55,182) | 56,172) | 53,801) | 53,513) | 56,147) | 52,089) | 50,442) | 52,014) | 50,436) | 48,502) | 49,248) | 50,878) | ||||||
| Shareholders’ equity (deficit) | (1,286) | (1,791) | (2,163) | (2,760) | (3,454) | (3,797) | (5,177) | (4,824) | (4,833) | (4,707) | (4,855) | (4,999) | (5,776) | (6,003) | (6,566) | (6,370) | (5,991) | ||||||
| Solvency Ratio | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Financial leverage1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| Benchmarks | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Financial Leverage, Competitors2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Airbnb Inc. | 3.51 | 2.71 | 2.68 | 3.47 | 3.16 | 2.49 | 2.61 | 3.29 | 3.11 | 2.53 | 2.35 | 4.19 | 3.78 | 2.88 | 2.90 | 3.63 | 3.60 | ||||||
| Booking Holdings Inc. | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 23.47 | 9.12 | 6.01 | 6.12 | 5.12 | ||||||
| Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. | 3.66 | 3.18 | 2.88 | 2.63 | 2.59 | 2.52 | 2.49 | 2.40 | 2.50 | 2.63 | 2.74 | 2.73 | 2.84 | 2.93 | 2.93 | 3.04 | 3.03 | ||||||
| DoorDash, Inc. | 1.93 | 1.96 | 1.89 | 1.90 | 1.62 | 1.65 | 1.62 | 1.65 | 1.64 | 1.59 | 1.53 | 1.50 | 1.48 | 1.45 | 1.40 | 1.34 | 1.47 | ||||||
| Starbucks Corp. | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
Based on: 10-Q (reporting date: 2026-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-03-31).
1 Q1 2026 Calculation
Financial leverage = Total assets ÷ Shareholders’ equity (deficit)
= 60,037 ÷ -1,286 = —
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
The analysis of the solvency metrics indicates a period of asset growth coupled with a consistent reduction in the shareholders' equity deficit. While the company maintained a negative equity position throughout the period from March 2022 to March 2026, there is a clear trend toward balance sheet strengthening.
- Total Asset Trajectory
- A general upward trend in total assets is observed, rising from 50,878 million US$ in March 2022 to 60,037 million US$ by March 2026. This growth reflects a steady expansion of the company's resource base, with a notable acceleration in asset accumulation between December 2023 and June 2025.
- Shareholders' Equity Deficit Analysis
- The equity deficit showed a persistent and significant narrowing over the analyzed timeframe. The deficit peaked at approximately 6,566 million US$ in September 2022 and decreased systematically to 1,286 million US$ by March 2026. This represents a substantial reduction in the negative equity position, indicating a move toward positive net worth.
- Financial Leverage Implications
- The simultaneous increase in total assets and the reduction of the equity deficit suggest an improvement in the overall solvency profile. Although the equity remains negative—which typically implies high financial leverage and a reliance on debt financing—the trajectory indicates a strategic reduction in the deficit, thereby lowering the absolute risk associated with the company's leverage structure over time.
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Interest Coverage
McDonald’s Corp., interest coverage calculation (quarterly data)
| Mar 31, 2026 | Dec 31, 2025 | Sep 30, 2025 | Jun 30, 2025 | Mar 31, 2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | Sep 30, 2024 | Jun 30, 2024 | Mar 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Sep 30, 2023 | Jun 30, 2023 | Mar 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Sep 30, 2022 | Jun 30, 2022 | Mar 31, 2022 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | 1,983) | 2,164) | 2,278) | 2,253) | 1,868) | 2,017) | 2,255) | 2,022) | 1,929) | 2,039) | 2,317) | 2,310) | 1,802) | 1,903) | 1,982) | 1,188) | 1,104) | ||||||
| Add: Income tax expense | 559) | 593) | 671) | 608) | 462) | 521) | 588) | 533) | 480) | 476) | 606) | 506) | 465) | 436) | 555) | 221) | 437) | ||||||
| Add: Interest expense | 400) | 410) | 406) | 390) | 376) | 380) | 381) | 373) | 372) | 360) | 341) | 330) | 330) | 323) | 306) | 291) | 287) | ||||||
| Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) | 2,942) | 3,167) | 3,355) | 3,251) | 2,706) | 2,918) | 3,224) | 2,928) | 2,781) | 2,875) | 3,264) | 3,147) | 2,597) | 2,662) | 2,842) | 1,700) | 1,829) | ||||||
| Solvency Ratio | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest coverage1 | 7.92 | 7.89 | 7.88 | 7.92 | 7.80 | 7.87 | 7.95 | 8.19 | 8.60 | 8.73 | 8.82 | 8.73 | 7.84 | 7.48 | 7.44 | 7.64 | 8.43 | ||||||
| Benchmarks | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest Coverage, Competitors2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Booking Holdings Inc. | 7.42 | 5.23 | 4.48 | 4.16 | 4.91 | 6.63 | 7.16 | 7.79 | 7.63 | 7.11 | 8.82 | 9.14 | 10.82 | 11.03 | 11.24 | 7.95 | 3.94 | ||||||
| DoorDash, Inc. | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | -1,053.00 | -1,285.00 | -687.50 | -698.50 | -445.50 | -345.50 | -259.50 | ||||||
| Starbucks Corp. | 5.06 | 5.62 | 7.59 | 8.69 | 9.40 | 9.84 | 10.50 | 10.61 | 11.07 | 10.82 | 10.22 | 10.01 | 9.66 | 9.76 | 12.25 | 12.95 | 13.08 | ||||||
Based on: 10-Q (reporting date: 2026-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-03-31).
1 Q1 2026 Calculation
Interest coverage
= (EBITQ1 2026
+ EBITQ4 2025
+ EBITQ3 2025
+ EBITQ2 2025)
÷ (Interest expenseQ1 2026
+ Interest expenseQ4 2025
+ Interest expenseQ3 2025
+ Interest expenseQ2 2025)
= (2,942 + 3,167 + 3,355 + 3,251)
÷ (400 + 410 + 406 + 390)
= 7.92
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
The analysis of the solvency metrics reveals a consistent capacity to service debt obligations, characterized by operating earnings that comfortably exceed interest costs despite a steady increase in financing expenses.
- Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)
- Operating earnings demonstrated significant volatility in 2022, followed by a period of relative stabilization and growth. From 2023 through the first quarter of 2026, EBIT generally fluctuated between 2.7 billion and 3.3 billion US dollars. The ability to maintain this elevated earnings baseline has been critical in offsetting the rising cost of debt.
- Interest Expense
- A linear upward trend is observed in interest expenses, which rose from 287 million US dollars in March 2022 to 400 million US dollars by March 2026. This persistent increase suggests either an expansion of the company's total debt principal or a rise in the average interest rates applied to its obligations.
- Interest Coverage Ratio
- The interest coverage ratio remained strong throughout the period, maintaining a significant margin of safety. Following a low of 7.44 in September 2022 and a peak of 8.82 in September 2023, the ratio stabilized between 7.80 and 8.20 from March 2024 through March 2026. This indicates that for every dollar of interest expense, the company generated approximately eight dollars in operating profit, reflecting a stable and healthy solvency position.
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