US sales boost McDonald's Q1 profit

McDonald's Corp reported higher quarterly profit on Friday, paced by strong sales at established restaurants in the United States and Europe.

Quarterly sales at restaurants open at least 13 months were up 7.3%, more than the 6.7% increase expected by analysts polled by Consensus Metrix. Comparable sales rose 8.9% in the United States and 5% in Europe.

Companywide, the restaurant chain expects the momentum to continue in April, forecasting comparable sales will be up 4% for the month.

A difficult economy in Europe, the company's biggest market, had raised concerns that McDonald's patrons might pull back.

"People have been most concerned about Europe and it looks like it's OK," said Sara Senatore, an analyst with Sanford C. Bernstein & Co.

In Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa, comparable sales were up 5.5%.

Shares of McDonald's rose 1.7% to USD 96.95 in premarket trading on Friday.

Net income at the world's biggest fast-food chain rose to USD 1.27 billion, or USD 1.23 per share, during the first quarter, up from USD 1.21 billion, or USD 1.15 per share, a year earlier. That was in line with analysts' average forecast, according to Thomson Reuters.

Revenue rose 7% to USD 6.55 billion. Analysts on average had forecast USD 6.54 billion.

The results, boosted by new menu items, restaurant makeovers and longer operating hours, helped McDonald's continue to outpace rivals like Wendy's Co and Burger King Corp.