McDonald’s Earns $1.40 Per Share

Yesterday, eBay and Stryker beat by one penny per share. Today, it’s McDonald’s ($MCD) turn.

McDonald’s reported fourth-quarter sales growth that missed estimates, even though earnings per share beat forecasts by a penny a share.

The fast food giant said it earned $1.40 billion, or $1.40 a share, as sales climbed 2% to $7.09 billion. Global comparable-store sales dropped 0.1%, adjusting for the opening of new stores and closing of others.

U.S. comparable-store sales dropped 1.4%. The company said the average customer spent more, but there were fewer of them.

The profit was virtually unchanged from late 2012, though earnings per share rose two cents as the company’s share count decreased due to stock buybacks. Analysts had expected profit of $1.39 a share.

McDonald’s shares were up 0.5% to $95.35 in morning trading.

“As we begin 2014, global comparable sales for the month of January are expected to be relatively flat,” McDonalds CEO Don Thompson said. “While near-term challenges remain, we are intent on strengthening our brand to further differentiate McDonald’s and become an even bigger part of our customers’ lives.”

Posted by on January 23rd, 2014 at 11:30 am


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