McDonald's sizzling stock

Can these arches stay golden if the economy tumbles again?

3 of 4
BACKNEXT
Overseas loves their MickeyDs
Despite Europe's lousy economy, McDonald's keeps growing there. Today, 41% of the chain's revenues come from the region, up from 33% in 2000. But conquering emerging markets like China and India presents a somewhat tougher challenge.

In China, for example, McDonald's isn't the 800-pound gorilla. It has only a third as many restaurants as KFC does there. And less than 3% of its profits come from China, vs. 38% for KFC parent Yum Brands.

McDonald's CFO Pete Bensen says the firm's strong balance sheet will allow it to keep expanding. And as more and more Chinese families push into the suburbs, McDonald's drive-through properties should give the chain a big advantage.

NEXT: A happy deal on dividend yield

Last updated September 02 2010: 6:04 AM ET
Source: Bloomberg, McDonald's annual reports
More Galleries
10 of the most luxurious airline amenity kits
10 of the most luxurious airline amenity kits
When it comes to in-flight pampering, the amenity kits offered by these 10 airlines are the ultimate in luxury More
7 startups that want to improve your mental health
7 startups that want to improve your mental health
From a text therapy platform to apps that push you reminders to breathe, these self-care startups offer help on a daily basis or in times of need. More
5 radical technologies that will change how you get to work
5 radical technologies that will change how you get to work
From Uber's flying cars to the Hyperloop, these are some of the neatest transportation concepts in the works today. More

Special Offer
Contact Us Closed Captioning Manage Cookies+ Site Map

Most stock quote data provided by BATS. Market indices are shown in real time, except for the DJIA, which is delayed by two minutes. All times are ET. Disclaimer. Morningstar: © 2018 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Factset: FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2018. All rights reserved. Chicago Mercantile Association: Certain market data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved. Dow Jones: The Dow Jones branded indices are proprietary to and are calculated, distributed and marketed by DJI Opco, a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and have been licensed for use to S&P Opco, LLC and CNN. Standard & Poor's and S&P are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC and Dow Jones is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. All content of the Dow Jones branded indices © S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC 2018 and/or its affiliates.