McDonald's Corp (NYSE:MCD, ETR:MDO) topped the Dow Jones leaderboard on Monday morning, rising despite revenues and earnings marginally missing analyst forecasts.
However, total same-store sales edged 0.4% higher, while Wall Street analysts had predicted a decline.
The fast-food chain posted fourth-quarter adjusted earnings of $2.83 per share, short of the Street consensus of $2.85, per FactSet.
This was on revenue of $6.39 billion that was flat year-on-year and also marginally below the consensus estimate of $6.45 billion.
US same-store sales shrank 1.4%, which the Golden Arches restaurant group said reflected "a decline in average check, partly offset by slightly positive comparable guest counts".
But taking in overseas outlets, total company same-store sales swelled 0.4%, much better than the 1.1% decline analysts had anticipated.
Many on the Street hope the fourth quarter results are the "low point in recent history for the brand," Citi analysts wrote.
For the whole year, global comparable sales decreased 0.1%, with the US increasing 0.2% and international operated restaurants down 0.2% and overseas licensed outlets down 0.3%.
CEO Chris Kempczinski said his 'Accelerating the Arches' plan "continues to be the right strategy as we focus on growing market share.
"We’re playing to win, focusing on our customers with outstanding value, exciting menu innovation and culturally relevant marketing."
Shares of McDonald's rose 4.6% in early Monday trading.