McDonald's (MCD) beat earnings estimates for the third quarter as higher menu prices boosted sales growth.
Global systemwide sales — which include sales at company-owned and franchised restaurants — increased 11%. Global same-store sales jumped 8.8%, higher than analysts' estimates of 7.79%, per Bloomberg consensus data.
Revenue jumped 14% year-over-year to $6.69 billion, higher than estimates of $6.52 billion. Adjusted earnings per share came in at 3.19, up 19% from last year.
Shares of McDonald's are down nearly 3% year-to-date, trailing behind Restaurant Brands International (QSR) which is up nearly 2% year-to-date, but ahead of YUM! Brands (YUM) shares, which are down nearly 7%.
As consumers buckled down on where they spent their money, McDonald's says it got a boost in the US.
In the US, sales benefitted from higher menu prices, new marketing campaigns, and growing digital and delivery orders. Beginning in August, the company launched its As Featured In Meal campaign that showed meals that have appeared in films, movies or TV shoes.
Baird analyst David Tarantino said McDonald's typically gains foot traffic when there are "mounting macroeconomic uncertainties" in a note to clients, adding that the Golden Arches is "one of the best positioned brands...to navigate a tougher backdrop."
During the financial crisis from 2008 to 2009, sales growth averaged 3.4% in the U.S. and 6.9% in Europe, he said.
The company also reported systemwide digital sales — which includes sales made on the app, delivery or on the kiosk — totaled $9 billion across its six biggest markets, making up 40% of total sales. That's more than Q2, which saw $8 billion in digital sales.
Price Momentum
MCD is trading near the bottom of its 52-week range and below its 200-day simple moving average.
Investors have been pushing the share price lower, and the stock still appears to have downward momentum. This is a negative sign for the stock's future value, but we may expect a consolidation move after reaching its Lower Low (LL) we will expect an upward momentum.