McDonald's (NYSE:MCD) has garnered the top performer ranking on the Dow Jones Index in 2011, owing largely to strong comparable sales growth throughout the year.
In a dastardly year for U.S. equities, McDonald's stock gained 30.88 percent.
Unsurprisingly really, Macas was able to navigate stormy global waters with its offerings that were in tune with recession affected markets in the U.S. and in Europe. While it gained revenues in key developing markets.
The month of August marked the company's 100th consecutive month of global same store sales growth.
During its first quarter of the year, the company said its comparable sales, or those of locations open at least 13 months, grew 4.2 percent. Earnings during the quarter hiked 15 percent to $1.15 per share, while revenues rose nine percent to $6.11 billion.
Global comparable sales rose 5.6 percent during the fast food giant's second quarter, while earnings hiked 19 percent to $1.35 per share. Revenues during these three months increased 16 percent to $6.91 billion.
Again, a five percent increase in same restaurant sales fueled a 12 percent rise in third quarter earnings, to $1.45 per share, while total revenues hiked 14 percent to $7.17 billion. Same store sales in the U.S. alone rose 4.4 percent in the quarter.
In November, global comparable sales hiked 7.4 percent.
Aside from its strong growth, the company has been trying to modernize its brand. It has been promoting its menu's healthier choices, and redesigned several of its locations.
Among the company's newest menu offerings are its McCafe line-up, which includes standards like its coffee and breakfast sandwiches, but also includes new items, like its Frozen Strawberry Lemonade and its Fruit & Maple Oatmeal.
Last month, McDonald's reiterated its Plan to Win strategy, which targets average annual sales growth of three to five percent, and average annual operating income growth between six and seven percent.
The world's largest burger chain has also consistently paid out dividends to shareholders - the first two quarters of the year saw a 61-cent dividend, before rising 15 percent to 70-cents per share in the third quarter.
In New York, the Oak Brook, Illinois-based company's stock was changing hands at $100.53, just under its year-high of $100.96, which it hit on Thursday.