McDonald's Experiences Stunted Same-Store Sales

It was revealed on Tuesday that McDonald's MCD, the world's biggest fast food chain, saw global same-store sales rise, but the growth was a smaller-than-expected 3.3% in April. While CEO Jim Skinner is placing the blame at the feet of the challenging global economic climate, the news is hardly devastating for MCD which did, after all, still see a rise. Still, the company stated last month that it had expected the rise in restaurants open a minimum of 13 months to come in around the 4% mark. Analysts had expected a 4.29% rise. "Our focus on delivering great tasting food and an exceptional restaurant experience generated positive global comparable sales results in April," said McDonald's Chief Executive Officer Jim Skinner. "Amidst a challenging global economic environment, McDonald's ongoing commitment to optimizing the menu, modernizing the restaurant experience and broadening accessibility will enable us to continue to satisfy the evolving needs of our customers." Europe saw a 3.5% increase in comparable sales for the month of April, while Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa reported a comparable sales increase of 1.1% for the same month. The company is still in the midst of a successful period, despite the lower-than-expected rise. Traffic has been boosted terrifically thanks to an impressive drive to diversify the menu. Perhaps against the odds, MCD has managed to ride the health food craze, albeit to a small degree. That, plus more value menu items and high-margin items like blended ice drinks. On the back of the news, shares were down 2.6% at $93.05 on Tuesday in the premarket. Overall for the year, the stock is down 4.8%. However, MCD has form of picking up customers in the most difficult of economic environments, and there is no reason to believe that it won't see a big rise again soon. One strategic menu change in time for the summer, and McDonald's could well be riding a big wave once again. Let's be honest, if there is one company in the world that nobody needs to be concerned about right now, it's MCD. Follow me @BCallwood.