In the third quarter McDonald's easily exceeded profit and turnover estimates, thanks in particular to the fact that in the United States comparative sales, those of restaurants that have been open for at least a year, grew for the first time in two years (+0,9%, against -0,2% expected). The news is pushing the stock, which gains 5,3% in the pre-market on Wall Street. In the three months, McDonald's reported earnings of $1,31 billion, $1,40 per share, up from $1,07 billion, $1,09 per share, in the same period last year.
Revenue fell 5,3% to $6,62 billion, but would have grown 7% without the impact of currency fluctuations. Analysts were expecting earnings of $1,27 per share on sales of $6,41 billion. The fast food giant is working strenuously to revive its American businesses, for example by offering an all-day breakfast menu, allowing regional divisions to offer their own products and designing advertising campaigns that place greater emphasis on the quality and freshness of ingredients. Comparative sales rose by 4% globally, versus +1,9% expected.
