McDonald'sMcDonald's in line with expectations at $1.16 (excluding a one cent impairment charge). Global comparable store sales were up 5 percent, with the U.S. up 4.4 percent, and the trend will continue: January global comparable store sales expected to be up 4 to 5 percent.
Elsewhere:
1) Halliburton1) Halliburton capped a year when earnings and revenues improved greatly over 2009. Q4 earnings from continuing operations came in at $0.68, better than the $0.63 consensus, and a notable improvement from the year ago quarter of $0.27. More importantly, HAL's full-year revenues were up 22 percent from 2009.
They noted that "all geographic segments experienced sequential revenue growth during the period" but "These increases were largely attributed to the improved North America business."
One problem: margins in North America were essentially flat at 24 percent; this is leading to concerns that price increases are just able to offset higher costs. Business remains slow in the Gulf of Mexico, and they are not reducing head count there in anticipation that business will eventually rebound.
2) Radio Shack2) Radio Shack down over 10%. CEO Julian Day plans to retire as chairman, chief executive officer around May 16, 2011, on or about the scheduled shareholders meeting.
3) Rock Tenn3) Rock Tenn will buy packing from Smurfit Stone Container . Deal said to be worth around $3.5 billion.
4) Sara Lee4) Sara Lee will weigh an offer this week from a group of private equity firms that values the company at nearly $13B.
5) JCPenny5) JCPenny naming William Ackman, Steven Roth to board of directors.
6) Ann Taylor6) Ann Taylor CEO Krill sells 10,000 Ann Taylor Stores.
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