MCD is a dividend aristocrat as well as a component of the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrials indexes. The company has been increasing its dividends for the past 31 consecutive years. From 1998 up until 2007 this dividend growth stock has delivered an annual average total return of 11.00 % to its shareholders. During the first five years, the stock price was in a decline. Ever since MCD hit a bottom in early 2003, the stock has been outperforming the market.