Services

Does McDonald's Deserve More Credit for Its Q4 Report?

Chris Lange

Published: January 29, 2020 8:50 am

Last Updated: January 30, 2020 10:30 am

When McDonald’s Corp. (NYSE: MCD) released its fourth-quarter financial results before the markets opened on Wednesday, the golden arches posted $1.97 in earnings per share (EPS) and $5.35 billion in revenue. Consensus estimates had called for $1.96 in EPS and $5.31 billion in revenue, and in the same period of last year, the fast-food giant said it had EPS of $1.97 in $5.16 billion in revenue.

Consolidated revenues increased 4% (increased 4% in constant currencies), reflecting strong comparable sales. Consolidated operating income increased by 15%.

During the quarter, global comparable sales increased 5.9%, reflecting strong comparable sales across all segments. At the same time, systemwide sales increased by 6% (7% in constant currencies).

In the United States, fourth-quarter comparable sales rose 5.1%. The International operating segment’s fourth-quarter comparable sales increased by 6.2%, and the International Developmental Licensed segment’s fourth-quarter comparable sales grew 6.6%.

Chris Kempczinski, McDonald’s president and CEO, commented:

2019 marked a year of significant milestones for McDonald’s – including surpassing $100 billion in Systemwide sales and achieving our highest global comparable sales growth in over a decade. Through the execution of our Velocity Growth Plan, we once again served more customers the food they crave, marking three consecutive years of global comparable guest count growth.

McDonald’s stock closed Tuesday at $210.39 a share, within a 52-week range of $173.41 to $221.93. The consensus price target is $225.55. Following the announcement, the stock was down about 1% at $209.38 in early trading indications Wednesday.