Fast food giant McDonald's Corp. (MCD) reported Friday a profit for the first quarter that remained flat with last year's strong results that included an additional day in 2012 due to leap year.
Earnings per share for the quarter missed analysts' expectations by a penny, while quarterly revenues topped their estimates by a whisker. Looking ahead, the company said it expects April global comparable sales to be slightly negative.
"While the Company's results for the quarter reflected difficult prior year comparisons and the ongoing impact of global economic headwinds, we continue our efforts to build market share and deliver sustained profitable growth for all stakeholders," President and CEO Don Thompson said in a statement.
The Oak Brook, Illinois-based hamburger chain posted net income of $1.27 billion or $1.26 per share for the first quarter, compared to $1.27 billion or $1.23 per share in the prior-year quarter.
On average, 30 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to earn $1.27 per share for the first quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.
Total revenues for the quarter increased 1 percent to $6.61 billion from $6.55 billion in the same quarter last year, and topped twenty-five Wall Street analysts' consensus estimate of $6.59 billion.
Sales from company-operated restaurants remained relatively flat with last year at $4.44 billion, while revenues from franchised restaurants were $2.16 billion, up 2 percent from a year ago.
For the first quarter, global comparable sales - a metric used to gauge performance of stores open for at least one year - decreased 1.0 percent.
On a segmental basis, U.S. operating income declined 3 percent. Results in the U.S. were positively impacted by the popularity of its Dollar Menu, improvements in menu with innovative new products and also enhanced customer experience amid the ongoing restaurant reimaging. Meanwhile, McDonald's U.S. outperformed the competition and increased market share.
McDonald's Europe delivered comparable sales decline of 1.1 percent, while reporting a 1 percent increase in operating income, led by performance in Russia and the U.K., partially offset by Germany. Europe's results were dampened by ongoing economic uncertainty.
APMEA region reported a 3.3 percent decline in comparable sales, and a 1 percent drop in operating income, or 2 percent growth in constant currencies, primarily due to ongoing weakness in Japan and negative results in China.
Looking ahead, Thompson added, "For the month of April, global comparable sales are expected to be slightly negative. We are confident that we have the right plans in place to differentiate the McDonald's experience and strengthen our business momentum for the long term."
McDonald's noted that it remains diligently focused on enhancing its menu, restaurants and the overall customer experience "to become more relevant to today's consumers."
MCD closed Thursday's regular trading session at $101.91, down $0.17 on a volume of 5.70 million shares. In the past 52-week period, the stock has been trading in a range of $83.31 to $103.70.
For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
Business News
June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.