US food chain’s profitup 8.6%

MCDONALD’S Corp, the world’s biggest restaurant chain, said third-quarter profit gained 8.6% as lower-priced items boosted US store sales.

Net income climbed to $1.51 billion (€1.1bn), or $1.45 a share, from $1.39bn, or $1.29, a year earlier, the Illinois-based company stated yesterday.

Analysts had expected $1.43 a share, the average of 24 estimates compiled by Bloomberg.