McDonald’s Earnings Foreshadow More Weakening

McDonald's Corp. (MCD) reported third-quarter 2013 results before markets opened Monday morning. The fast-food restaurant chain posted diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.52 on revenues of $7.32 billion. In the same period a year ago, the company reported EPS of $1.43 on revenues of $7.15 billion. Third-quarter results also compare to the Thomson Reuters consensus estimates for EPS of $1.51 EPS and $7.34 billion in revenues.

Globally, same-store sales in the second quarter rose 0.9% and consolidated net income rose 2%. Same-store sales rose 0.7% in the United States, were up 0.2% in Europe and fell by 1.4% in Asia. Sequentially, U.S. same-store sales were off by 0.1% and Asian sales were off by 1.1%. Europe grew sales by 0.3%.  Read more.

Do You Still Want Fries With That Shake?

Lately it seems not a day goes by when some burger joint isn't coming up with a new take on an old favorite, the lowly french fry. Sonic  (NASDAQ: SONC  ) is the latest restaurant to rejigger its potato side dish, rolling out a new natural-cut, skin-on fry made from russet potatoes. 

Considering Burger King Worldwide (NYSE: BKW  ) recently unveiled a new lower-calorie, crinkle-cut "Satisfries" fry, Yum! Brands (NYSE: YUM  ) designed a specially formulated container for fries to fit in most car cup holders, and Wendy's (NASDAQ: WEN  ) reformulated its fry offering a few years ago, there seems to be a lot of attention being paid to this deep-fried snack. Read more.

But Wait, There's More: McD's Readies Jalapeno Kickers

Gosh, could we maybe go for just a day or two without another menu addition from the burger chains? Burger King announced its new Big King and BBQ Rib sandwiches earlier, but there's more.

There's always more. Just in the last two months, McDonald's has introduced Mighty Wings, added a new Southwest flavor to Premium McWraps, brought back the McRib and rolled out the Dollar Menu & More with five new sandwiches, including a BBQ Ranch Burger and Bacon Buffalo Ranch McChicken.

Not enough? "Brace yourself for the flavor of our new Jalapeňo Kicker sandwiches...with layers of jalapeňo slices & pepper jack cheese & cool creamy sauce, there's more to love at McD's," McDonald's Colorado tweeted today. Read more.

McDonald’s, Halliburton and Hasbro

McDonald's (MCD) has beaten estimates with its quarterly earnings but the world's largest burger chain is not exactly cooking. The company made $1.52 a share, which was a penny better than estimates. But revenues missed expectations at $7.323-billion versus $7.336-billion.

Halliburton (HAL) and Hasbro (HAS) have also come out with their earnings this morning. Halliburton had earnings of 79-cents a share and adjusted earnings of 83-cents. Estimates had been for 82-cents. Revenue was also slightly below consensus at $7.47-billion compared to $7.5-billion. As for Hasbro, it earned $1.31 a share, which was two cents better than estimates. Read more.

McDonald’s Earnings Foreshadow More Weakening

McDonald's Corp. (MCD) reported third-quarter 2013 results before markets opened Monday morning. The fast-food restaurant chain posted diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.52 on revenues of $7.32 billion. In the same period a year ago, the company reported EPS of $1.43 on revenues of $7.15 billion. Third-quarter results also compare to the Thomson Reuters consensus estimates for EPS of $1.51 EPS and $7.34 billion in revenues.

Globally, same-store sales in the second quarter rose 0.9% and consolidated net income rose 2%. Same-store sales rose 0.7% in the United States, were up 0.2% in Europe and fell by 1.4% in Asia. Sequentially, U.S. same-store sales were off by 0.1% and Asian sales were off by 1.1%. Europe grew sales by 0.3%.

McDonald's increased its dividend by 5% in mid-September to a quarterly total of $0.81, effective in the fourth quarter. Read more.

McDonald’s to squeeze out Heinz ketchup

McDonald’s plans to phase out use of Heinz ketchup in thousands of its restaurants, according to several published reports Friday. The move follows the appointment of former Burger King CEO Bernardo Hees to run Heinz.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that the move mostly affects McDonald’s MCD  overseas operations. Heinz is served only at U.S. McDonald’s restaurants in the Pittsburgh and Minneapolis markets. MCD.

Burger King Earnings – We’re Satisfried

Burger King Worldwide’s (BKW) drastically revamped business model post its acquisition by investment firm 3G Capital seems to be working out just fine. The fast food giant served up some good news in its third quarter earnings announcement for fiscal year 2013 (3QFY13).

Earnings were 35% higher from the year-ago quarter to $0.23 per share, even though revenues were down 32% to $274.5 million. Net income for the quarter grew nearly tenfold to $68.2 million from a mere $6.6 million in 3QFY12.

With a stellar increase in margins and a return to sustainable profitability, Burger King has surprised the industry especially since McDonald’s (MCD) – even though it beat analyst estimates for the third quarter earnings season – saw a slowdown in organic same store sales. MCD.