Since the prices of bread, meat and various condiments continue to rise, we might as well jump directly on the finished product, the "Big Mac". The global crisis and the bleak outlook for the planet's economy don't scare the largest fast food empire at all. On the contrary, McDonald's even closed the fourth quarter of 2011 with profits well above analysts' expectations, bringing home a tasty +11%. The figure rose to $1,38 billion ($1,33 per share) from $1,24 billion posted in the same period last year.
Turnover also increased by 10%, reaching 6,82 billion dollars. Wall Street analysts were expecting profits of $1,30 per share on $6,81 billion in revenue. For the full year 2011, thanks to comparative sales growth of 5,6%, increased 11% to $5,5 billion, while revenues increased 12%.
Jim Skinner, president and CEO of the group, was "satisfied with the results of McDonald's in 2011, obtained thanks to the commitment of our operators, suppliers and employees who serve over 68 million customers a day".
