McDonald's Oct same-store sales up 5.5 pc

CHICAGO, Nov 8: McDonald's Corp. on Wednesday said sales at its hamburger restaurants open at least 13 months rose 5.5 percent in October, thanks to a popular Monopoly promotion in the United States.

Three Wall Street analysts had forecast increases of 4.6 percent to 5.5 percent.

In the United States, McDonald's primary market, the company's same-store sales rose 5.6 percent, driven by the Monopoly game and a strong breakfast business.

In Europe, same-store sales were up 5.5 percent, with particular strength in Germany and France.

Systemwide sales rose 8.2 percent. Stripping out the effect of foreign currency, sales were up 6.6 percent, Oak Brook, Illinois-based McDonald's said.

REUTERS