Just when you thought it couldn't get any better, McDonald's
Same-store sales in February soared 11.7%, with European comps up a stunning 15.4%. Even the U.S. market, which is experiencing a consumer slowdown, had an impressive 8.3% increase. The Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa (APMEA) segment rounded things out with a 10.9% boost. So obviously, McDonald's comps were meaty across the board.
In the U.S., McDonald's cited its breakfast and premium roast coffee as big contributors to the strong month. (I'm sure any mention of the "coffee" angle may put some Starbucks
This is a far cry from January, when investors took a slow month hard, even though McDonald's had been raking in the strong sales gains for quite some time. Back then, I argued that shares of the stocks were temporarily on sale, and it looks like that was the case.
I still believe McDonald's is in a good position, even if consumers here in the U.S. are strapped for cash. Economizing is probably high on many priority lists right now, and McDonald's low prices help them do just that.
I also believe the current climate is probably good for grocers like Safeway
It's the restaurant stocks with higher-priced menus I'll be avoiding, like Cheesecake Factory
But I digress. As I recently theorized about Wal-Mart, McDonald's is really in its element right now, given consumers' drive to watch their budgets. However, another thing that makes me really like McDonald's for the long term is that it is currently proving its business can excel in good times and in bad -- and that's testament to the amazing quality of its recent turnaround.
More on the menu: