McDonald's January sales rise 5.3%

McDonald'sCorp on Tuesday said global sales at established restaurants rose more than expected in every region except the United States.

Worldwide January sales at restaurants open at least 13 months were up 5.3%. In the United States, where high unemployment has taken a bite out of sales at fast-food chains, sales were up 3.1%.

Wall Street expected global sales and US sales each to rise 4.4%. The US market accounts for about 35% of McDonald's revenue.

Same-restaurant sales in Europe were up 7%, while sales in the Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa (APMEA) unit rose 5.2%.

Analysts had expected Europe sales to rise 3.7% and APMEA sales to jump 4.6%. Europe contributes around 40% of McDonald's total revenue.