McDonalds (MCD)

[winston]

McDonalds to open 175 new China outlets in 2009

McDonalds Corp, the worlds largest restaurant company, plans to add 175 restaurants in China next year after opening its 1,000th outlet in the country.

The latest restaurant was opened in Dongguan in Guangdong province, the Oak Brook, Illinois-based company said in an e- mailed statement. The 2009 plan will create 10,000 restaurant jobs and 1,200 manager positions, it said.

BLOOMBERG

[blid2def]

Just looked at MCD's 10-year monthly chart. Looked nice at first glance - doesn't seem to have suffered that badly from the turn of events since last year.

However, this looks very familiar. Take a look at the 10-year monthly charts of these 2 stocks that were defying gravity for a while as well:
- Flowserve (FLS)
- Illumina (ILMN)

When everyone was dying left and right, they stuck out like Jack Horner's thumb with the plum. Now, they're finally folding as well (and in the case of FLS - folding very quickly).

MCD weekly chart:
- http://stockcharts.com/h-sc/ui?s=MCD&p= ... =155252837

Conclusion:-
Speaking for myself, purely from TA point of view, I wouldn't go long MCD at this point. While the kumo support looks to be doing its job (and MCD has survived 2 similar tests in the past 7 years), the bearish Chikou scares me. At current prices, looks like limited upside (60 resistance), but potentially tasty on the downside.

[blid2def]

Above analysis from 2 to 3 weeks back... well, looks invalidated now. Survived the kumo tests and broke resistance at ~60.

[kennynah]

mcnona sells this gigantic 4 tier beef patty burger....i think they should name it McGlut... $6 or $7 ....my point.. continuous creativity...

[winston]

McDonald's quarterly profit falls

CHICAGO (Reuters) - McDonald's Corp (MCD.N) posted a lower quarterly profit and lower-than-expected sales on Thursday as the recession has pushed U.S. unemployment to the highest level in more than two decades.

The world's largest hamburger chain said second-quarter net income fell to $1.09 billion, or 98 cents a share, from $1.19 billion, or $1.04 a share, a year earlier.

Excluding a 1 cent per share gain from a license deal in Indonesia and the sale of Redbox Automated Retail, McDonald's earned 97 cents a share, matching what analysts polled by Reuters Estimates had expected.

Revenue fell 7 percent from a year before to $5.65 billion, below the almost $5.7 billion analysts had forecast. Sales at restaurants open at least 13 months rose 4.8 percent globally.

Shares of McDonald's fell to $58.36 in premarket trading from Wednesday's closing price on the New York Stock Exchange of $58.82.

[kennynah]

how could it be...i ate at macdonald's twice in the last quarter...upsized the meals both times...

[winston]

McDonald's same-store sales rise

CHICAGO (Reuters) - McDonald's Corp (MCD.N) said sales at its U.S. restaurants open at least 13 months rose 2.6 percent in July, aided by its new McCafe espresso-based coffee drinks, sending its shares up nearly 2 percent in premarket trading.

Global same-store sales climbed 4.3 percent. Same-store sales jumped 7.2 percent in Europe and 2.1 percent in the company's Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa segment.

( I'm surprized with the European sales as the Europeans dont really lke McDonalds )

McDonald's said in late last month that it expected July same-store sales to be similar to or better than June's 2.6 percent rise.

The world's largest hamburger chain and some other fast-food restaurants have benefited as the global economic downturn has led diners to seek out lower-priced fare.

McDonald's said systemwide sales slipped 0.3 percent in July but were up 6.2 percent excluding the impact of currency fluctuations.

The company has shifted its advertising toward its core and value menus and away from higher-priced items -- with the exception of its new Angus burger, which is being introduced across the United States.

It also offered free samples of McCafe mocha drinks on Mondays during July to entice U.S. consumers to try the new coffee drinks.

The jump in European same-store sales was led by strong growth in countries such as France and the UK. Momentum in Australia was partially offset by results in China.

Shares of McDonald's rose to $56.20 in premarket trading after closing at $55.20 on Friday on the New York Stock Exchange

[kennynah]

that's why their global numbers are up.... i remember i makaned at MCD 2-3 times in Jul .... wahahahaha...

[helios]

one thing, MacD is a classic example of exploiting advertising that targets kids and young children ... a movement led to indulge in unhealthy fast-food culture ... very profitable company essentially ...

[kennynah]

this MACD is smoking man.... been going higher and higher, day after day...