U.S. boosts McDonald's July sales

CHICAGO (Reuters) - McDonald's Corp (MCD.N) posted July sales that beat many analysts' forecasts as its key U.S. market posted its largest gain in five months with offers like $1 beverages appealing to cash-strapped consumers.

Shares of the world's largest restaurant chain rose to an all-time high on Friday after it reported an overall 8 percent increase in sales at stores open at least 13 months.

The United States, where McDonald's derives about 45 percent of its sales, has been under pressure as consumers cut back on spending due to rising food and fuel costs.

But $1 beverage offers and marketing focused on the company's Big Mac hamburger sandwich helped lift same-store sales in the United States to a 6.7 percent increase, the largest since an 8.3 percent rise in February when sales were helped by an additional day for the leap year, the company said.

Analysts had been expecting a July same-store sales increase of 4.5 percent to 6.4 percent globally and 4 percent to 4.5 percent in the United States, according to three analysts' research notes.

The company has also benefited as U.S. consumers trade down from casual dining chains when they do eat outside the home. Casual dining has been particularly hard hit by the U.S. slowdown, as evidenced by the bankruptcy of Bennigan's and other chains.

"There probably is some continuing trading down," John Owens, restaurant analyst at Morningstar, said. "I think that they are also gaining share in the fast-food space as well."

Owens noted that McDonald's also appeals to consumers because of the ubiquity of the chain.

"In this time of high gas prices, McDonald's, with its large footprint in the United States, is probably one of the closest restaurants to your home," he said.

UBS restaurant analyst David Palmer said that the items driving U.S. sales, such as Southern-style chicken sandwiches, breakfast items, iced tea and iced coffee also carry lower than average costs, which should help boost McDonald's margins.

"We believe that beverage sales are a key reason for McDonald's increasing outperformance of the U.S. fast food industry in the summer months," Palmer said in a research note.

Same-store sales rose 7.6 percent in Europe, and 7.2 percent in the Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa division. Latin American same-store sales were up in double digits, the company said.

McDonald's shares were up $2.05, or 3.3 percent, at $63.91 on Friday on the New York Stock Exchange. The stock is up 13 percent since late June, compared with a 7.3 percent increase for the Dow Jones U.S. restaurant and bars index .DJUSRU.

(Editing by Steve Orlofsky, Dave Zimmerman)