Energy Markets
McDonald's fails to meet its US sales target due to tighter consumer spending
McDonald's missed Wall Street estimates on Thursday for growth in U.S. quarter-to-quarter comparable sales, as the company struggled to attract diners who were already stretched by rising fuel and grocery prices. After years of price increases, operators in fast-food have been forced to rely on value-driven promotional campaigns to revive the demand. The largest burger chain in the world posted U.S. sales growth of just 3.9% during the first quarter, falling short of expectations for a 4.2% rise. McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski stated that the operating environment was "challenging" even though it beat its quarterly revenue and profit estimates, sending...