McDonald's Corporation (MCD) IV/HV History
Comparing implied volatility to historical (realized) volatility reveals whether options are priced rich or cheap relative to actual price movement. Persistent gaps can signal trading opportunities.
McDonald's Corporation (MCD) operates in the Consumer Cyclical sector, specifically the Restaurants industry, with a market capitalization near $195.89B, listed on NYSE, employing roughly 150,000 people, carrying a beta of 0.44 to the broader market. McDonald's Corporation operates and franchises McDonald's restaurants in the United States and internationally. Led by Christopher J. Kempczinski, public since 1965-04-21.
Snapshot as of May 15, 2026.
- Spot Price
- $276.04
- ATM IV
- 19.9%
- HV 20-Day
- 20.4%
- HV 60-Day
- 18.7%
- IV Rank
- 53.3%
- IV Percentile
- 57.5%
As of May 15, 2026, McDonald's Corporation (MCD) ATM implied volatility is 19.9%. 20-day realized volatility is 20.4%, producing an IV-HV spread of -0.5 vol points. Realized volatility currently exceeds implied, an inversion that can signal a pending IV expansion. IV rank is 53.3%.
How MCD iv/hv history Data Feeds Strategy Selection
Strategy selection on McDonald's Corporation options does not derive from any single metric in isolation. The iv/hv history view above sits inside a broader read: ATM IV currently sits at 19.9% and dealer gamma exposure is negative, so dealer hedging amplifies directional moves. Combine the iv/hv history data here with the volatility-skew surface, dealer-gamma exposure, max-pain level, and upcoming-events calendar to build a positioning thesis. Risk-defined structures (credit spreads, debit spreads, iron condors) are usually safer than naked positions while the regime is uncertain; the data on this page anchors the inputs but does not by itself constitute a trade thesis.
Learn how implied vs realized volatility is reported and how to read the data →
Frequently asked MCD iv/hv history questions
- Is MCD options pricing rich or cheap right now?
- As of May 15, 2026, McDonald's Corporation (MCD) ATM IV is 19.9% against 20-day realized volatility of 20.4%. IV rank is 53.3%. Realized volatility currently exceeds implied: an inversion of the typical equity volatility risk premium that often precedes IV expansion.
- What is the MCD variance risk premium?
- The variance risk premium is the persistent gap between implied and subsequently realized volatility. In equity markets it averages positive because option sellers demand compensation for bearing variance shocks. MCD is currently pricing inverted to the historical pattern, which is one input to whether short-vol or long-vol structures carry their typical edge.
- What does MCD IV rank mean for strategy selection?
- IV rank normalizes the current ATM IV to its 1-year range: 0% is the low, 100% is the high. MCD's current rank of 53.3% signals where current pricing sits in its own 1-year history. High-rank regimes typically favor premium-selling structures (credit spreads, condors, covered calls); low-rank regimes typically favor premium-buying or long-volatility structures.