McDonald's Sales Jump; U.S. Improves

McDonald's(MCD Quote) reported a 5.7% rise in January same-store sales, as gains overseas continued to outpace the U.S.

The fast-food giant said Friday that its U.S. same-store sales, or sales at restaurants open at least 13 months, increased 1.9% for January. While that was slower than growth in the rest of the world, it marked an improvement over the flat same-store sales McDonald's recorded in the U.S. in December.

Shares of McDonald's took a hit last week after the company reported strong fourth-quarter profits but flat U.S. same-store sales growth, fueling fears that a broader spending slowdown might hit the Golden Arches.

McDonald's on Friday credited strength in its breakfast items and its dollar menu for the January U.S. rise.

In Europe, McDonald's January same-store sales increased 8.2%. In the Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa regions, same-store sales jumped 7.8% for the month.