McDonald's Does it Again, Hello $60 a Share

Kids can't enough of McDonald's (NYSE:MCD) yummy fries and investors keep clocking gains in their company shares.  Once again McDonald's Corp. beat analyst expectations and the company is looking forward to October sales.  Happy Meals for everyone, even the babies.

McDonald's shares (MCD) hit $60.60 and now are trading at $59 and change, up 2% for the day.  The company reported Q3 earnings of $1.26 billion, from the $1.19 billion earned a year previous, which the company said was fuelled by positive comparable sales in every area of the world.  

Eat up Junior, oh that's right, you already are, carry on.  Global comparable sales increased by 3.8%, McDonalds said, with Europe top of pile with a rise in sales of 5.8%. The US also saw sales rise, up 2.5%, while the Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa region saw an increase in sales of 2.2%.

However, revenue at the fast-food company fell 4% to $6 billion during the quarter.

“We begin the fourth quarter from a position of strength, and I am confident that our focus on the customer and commitment to financial discipline will continue to deliver long-term profitable growth for our system and our shareholders,” said McDonald's Chief Executive Officer, Jim Skinner.

“For October, despite a declining informal eating out market around the world, we expect consolidated comparable sales to remain positive.”

Fellow Masters, going long on MCD has never tasted so good.

SOURCE: http://www.businessandleadership.com/leadership/news/article/16886/leadership/mcdonalds-profits-up-6pc-expects-sales-to-stay-positive