MCD vs SBUX: Correlation
Measured on weekly returns over the past three years, McDonald's (MCD) and Starbucks (SBUX) carry a correlation of 0.29, a weak link.
Data as of 2026-08-27 · refreshed every trading day · weekly returns · methodology
How correlated are MCD and SBUX?
Across a 3-year window, the weekly returns of MCD and SBUX correlate at 0.29, weak. Recent behaviour matches the longer record: 0.29 over 1 year against 0.29 over 3. Stretching to 5 years gives 0.36, with an annualized covariance of 174.1 %².
Among the 34 assets we track against MCD, SBUX ranks #20 by 3-year correlation. Their recent paths diverged sharply: over the last 12 months SBUX outperformed by 40.0 percentage points (-14.5% for MCD against +25.5% for SBUX). On a rolling one-year basis the correlation drifted between 0.16 and 0.59, a moderate band. One caveat on sizing: SBUX is 1.9 times as volatile as the other leg, so an equal-dollar split is far from equal-risk.
How is this computed?
Pearson correlation on weekly returns: ρ(A,B) = cov(rA, rB) / (σA · σB), over windows of 52, 156 and 260 weeks. Covariance is annualized (×52) and expressed in %². Full definitions on the methodology page.
MCD vs SBUX: side by side
| MCD (McDonald's) | SBUX (Starbucks) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year return | -14.5% | +25.5% |
| 5-year return | +23.3% | +4.5% |
| Volatility (ann.) | 17.8% | 34.2% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | 0.30 | 1.10 |
| Max drawdown (3Y) | -22.8% | -32.0% |
| Market cap | $184.0B | $122.3B |
| P/E (trailing) | 21.7 | 62.7 |
| Dividend yield | 2.75% | 2.29% |
| Sector / category | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
Year-by-year returns
| Year | MCD | SBUX |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | +0.5% | -13.2% |
| 2023 | +15.1% | -1.2% |
| 2024 | +0.1% | -2.5% |
| 2025 | +7.9% | -5.3% |
| 2026 | -13.9% | +29.7% |
Calendar-year price returns; the current year is year-to-date as of the data date above.
Are MCD and SBUX good diversifiers for each other?
Yes, to a useful degree: a correlation of 0.29 leaves real independence between the two, which historically damped combined volatility.
FAQ
What is the correlation between MCD and SBUX?
The MCD/SBUX correlation stands at 0.29 on a 3-year window (1 year: 0.29, 5 years: 0.36), computed from weekly returns as of 2026-08-27.
Is SBUX a good diversifier for MCD?
Yes, to a useful degree: a correlation of 0.29 leaves real independence between the two, which historically damped combined volatility.
What does a correlation of 0.29 mean?
A reading of 0.29 sits on a scale from −1 (opposite moves) through 0 (unrelated) to +1 (identical moves). Correlation captures direction, not magnitude or performance.
Use this data
$ curl https://www.pairbook.io/api/v1/pairs/mcd-vs-sbux.json
Drop this badge in a README or notebook; it updates with the data:
[](https://www.pairbook.io/pair/mcd-vs-sbux/)
The core API is free. Terms and every endpoint in the API documentation.
Related comparisons
Hubs: MCD correlations · SBUX correlations
