Sales at its namesake restaurants open at least 13 months rose 7.3 percent in September and 5.8 percent for the quarter.
September sales were better than expected. For example, Prudential analyst Larry Miller had been expecting an overall rise in same-store sales of 6.2 percent at McDonald's restaurants, while Wachovia Securities analyst Jeff Omohundro forecast an increase of 5.7 percent.
Same-restaurant sales in the United States rose 10.6 percent in September and 8.5 percent in the quarter, offsetting weakness in Europe, the company's No. 2 market.
"We attribute the strength to improved products, effective marketing and business momentum," Mark Kalinowski, analyst at Smith Barney, said in a research note. He rates the stock "buy."
Same-restaurant sales in Europe were down 0.6 percent in September and up 0.3 percent in the quarter, hurt by the stagnant economy in several countries, especially Germany, McDonald's said.
Shares rose $1.31, or 4.75 percent, to close at $28.86 on the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday. (Additional reporting by Nichola Groom)
©2004 Reuters Limited.
LOLOL well not only is in not healthy but dammit they are making money at the same time , how dare they make money on the backs of all those poor souls, I mean how un fair is that they ruin people's bikini lines and take their money???
HAHHAHAHA everyone follow me we must protest this , write to your congress man , riot in the streets , raise up and take arms !!!!!!!!!