McDonald’s Q4 profit up 23%

Oakbrook, Ill. McDonald's Corp. reported a 23% increase in fourth-quarter earnings, helped by same-store sales increases across all regions.

The fast-food giant’s profit totaled $1.22 billion for the quarter ended December 31, 2009, up from $ 985.3 million a year earlier. Revenue increased 7% to $5.97 billion. Same-store sales rose 2.3% globally.

The company's U.S. operations delivered earnings growth of 5%, while strong double-digit gains were seen globally, thanks in part to currency changes.

In the fourth quarter, Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa delivered impressive double-digit operating income growth fueled by results in Australia, expansion in China and operating efficiencies and lower commodity costs in many markets, the company said.

For the full year, McDonald’s reported a 3.8% increase in global same-store sales. By region, same-store sales were up 2.6% in the United States, 5.2% in Europe, and 3.4% in Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa.