McDonald's May Global Comps Increase 0.9%

(RTTNews) - Fast food giant McDonald's Corp. (MCD) said Monday that sales at established stores increased 0.9 percent in May as strong sales in the Asia-Pacific region helped offset lower sales in the U.S.

The Oak Brook, Illinois-based hamburger chain's global comparable sales for the month of May increased 0.9 percent, on top of a 2.6 percent increase in the same month a year ago.

Comparable sales represent sales at all restaurants, whether operated by the company or by franchisees, in operation at least thirteen months including those temporarily closed.

The world's largest restaurant chain said system-wide sales or sales at all restaurants, whether operated by the company or by its franchisees, rose 2.4 percent on a reported basis, or 3.4 percent in constant currencies, for its restaurants worldwide.

Geographically, May comparable sales in the U.S. declined 1.0 percent "amid broad-based challenges", compared to prior year's increase of 2.4 percent. US system-wide sales edged down 0.1 percent for the month.

In Europe, comparable sales increased 0.4 percent, compared to an increase of 2.0 percent last year, on unique affordable premium menu choices and expansion of the segment's beverage business. The results were led by positive performance in the UK and France, partly offset by negative results in Germany.

Europe's system-wide sales for the month also grew 7.6 percent from last year on a reported basis, and increased 3.0 percent in constant currencies.

Comparable sales in Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa, or APMEA region rose 2.5 percent, compared to the prior year's increase of 0.9 percent. The results were driven by strong results in China, including comparison against the prior year impact of Avian influenza, and performance across other markets. These were partly offset by ongoing weakness in Japan.

System-wide sales in the region rose 4..7 percent, and increased 7.4 percent in constant currencies.

McDonald's tentatively plans to release its financial results for the second quarter before the market opens on July 22, 2014.

MCD closed Friday's trading at $101.96, down $0.49 or 0.48 percent on a volume of 2.96 million shares.