McDonald’s and Starbucks profit
US-headquartered chains McDonald’s and Starbucks indicated the consumer recovery is gathering pace yesterday, both saying sales at established outlets were accelerating. McDonald’s reported a 4.2 per cent rise in sales in the month of March, beating analysts’ expectations. The burger manufacturer also announced net income of $1.1bn (£714m) for the quarter. Starbucks said sales were up seven per cent in the three months to March and said it increased its net income almost ten times year-on-year, up from $25m in 2009 to $217.3m. One analyst remarked: “Everything seems to be clicking.”