Tuesday, February 4, 2014

McDonald's – The Leading Global Fast Food Service


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McDonald's is perhaps the greatest franchising story to blossom out of the 19th century. Not to forget it has blossomed in to a franchising power house in the 20th Century. Spread over a staggering 118 countries/territories this once upon a time hamburger-joint serves more than 68 million loyal customers a day. It just can’t be Ronald the-clowns charm that they keep coming back for. It’s the relationship of joy and happiness the restaurant has created with its ever growing customers. It listens and understands its consumers. The altering of menu as per culture and country is evident to support that claim. It’s a very unique composition of sustainable business success where value is delivered to all spheres of the business/stakeholders. It is noteworthy here that the most growing region of McDonald's happens to be the Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa region. This could be attributed to McDonald's strong brand equity globally. A McDonald's restaurant is operated by a franchisee, an affiliate, or the corporation itself. McDonald's Corporation revenues come from the rent, royalties, and fees paid by the franchisees, as well as sales in company-operated restaurants. In 2012, McDonald's Corporation had annual revenues of $27.5 billion, and profits of $5.5 billion. But 2013 was different the company revenues and profit bit change.

McDonald’s Corporation (MCD) announced results for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2013 (4QFY13), along with a few new figures for the full FY13. In the latest quarter end of the year, the company reported net income of $1,397 million, which translates to earnings per share (EPS) of $1.4. EPS was up 1% over 4QFY12, and beat estimates of $1.39. Revenues, on the other hand, were largely in line with expectations at $7.09 billion, up 2% from 4QFY13. McDonald's reported EPS of $5.55 for the full year, which was again in line with expectations. Revenues for FY13 came in at $28.1 billion. The Mcdonald's also announced that its global comparable store sales fell 0.1% in the fourth quarter as a result of lower guest count.

US same store sales fell 1.4% as customers increasingly favor healthier food choices, while European comparable sales rose 1% over the same quarter of last year due to improving economic conditions in the region, and a greater marketing push. Comparable sales in the all-important Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa (APMEA) region declined 2.4% due to weak performance in Japan, and a slowdown in China and Australia. The share price of Company is down 0.6% in pre-market hours after the news was reported. In a statement which was released on Thursday morning, McDonald’s president and CEO Don Thompson acknowledged that 2013 was a “challenging” year but said that the company is beginning 2014 with a renewed focus on its growth priorities. “We are uniting consumer insights with innovation and consistent execution to optimize our menu, modernize the customer experience and broaden accessibility to Brand McDonald’s,” he said. A breakdown of the fourth quarter’s results by segment reveals just why a renewed focus is necessary: comparable sales in the U.S. declined 1.4% in the quarter, a greater decline than the 0.2% analysts were expecting. Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa (APMEA) was yet again a weak point for the company, posting a comparable sales decline of 2.4% for the quarter and an 8% drop in operating income, results McDonald’s said reflected weakness in Japan and a relatively flat performance in China and Australia. Europe, however, saw comparable sales increase 1% for the quarter, thanks to strength in the U.K, Russia and France.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

GOOG - Google Inc Stock News & Analysis


Google Inc. (Google) is a global technology company. The Company’s business is primarily focused around key areas, such as search, advertising, operating systems and platforms, enterprise and hardware products. The Company generates revenue primarily by delivering online advertising. The Company also generates revenues from Motorola by selling hardware products. The Company provides its products and services in more than 100 languages and in more than 50 countries, regions, and territories. Effective September 16, 2013, Google Inc acquired Bump Technologies Inc. Effective October 22, 2013, Google Inc acquired FlexyCore, a developer of software. Effective December 6, 2013, Google Inc acquired the entire share capital of SCHAFT Inc. Effective December 14, 2013, Google Inc acquired Boston Dynamics Inc. Effective January 15, 2014, Google Inc acquired Impermium Corp, a developer of SaaS application software.Source Article When i search Google i found some interesting news GOOG

AAPL - Apple Inc. Stock News & Analysis


Apple Inc. (Apple) designs, manufactures and markets mobile communication and media devices, personal computers, and portable digital music players, and a variety of related software, services, peripherals, networking solutions, and third-party digital content and applications. The Company's products and services include iPhone, iPad, Mac, iPod, Apple TV, a portfolio of consumer and professional software applications, the iOS and OS X operating systems, iCloud, and a variety of accessory, service and support offerings. The Company also delivers digital content and applications through the iTunes Store, App StoreSM, iBookstoreSM, and Mac App Store. The Company distributes its products worldwide through its retail stores, online stores, and direct sales force, as well as through third-party cellular network carriers, wholesalers, retailers, and value-added resellers. In February 2012, the Company acquired app-search engine Chomp.Source Article When i search Apple i found some interesting news AAPL

GS - Goldman Sachs Group Inc Stock News & Analysis


The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (Goldman Sachs) is a global investment banking, securities and investment management firm that provides a range of financial services to a substantial and diversified client base that includes corporations, financial institutions, governments and high-net-worth individuals. Goldman Sachs operates in four segments: Investment Banking, Institutional Client Services, Investing & Lending and Investment Management. In July 2013, Suncorp Group Ltd announced the completion of the Non-core portfolio sale to the Company. Effective August 6, 2013, Goldman Sachs Group Inc (Goldman) increased its interest by acquiring an 18.7% interest in Red de Carreteras de Occidente SAB de CV, a unit of Goldman's Goldman Sachs Infrastructure Partners fund, from Empresas ICA SAB de CV. In October 2013, Goldman Sachs Group Inc's unit bought a 50% stake in privately-held British motor insurer Hastings.Source Article When i search Goldman Sachs i found some interesting news GS

GE - General Electric Co Stock News & Analysis


General Electric Company (GE) is a diversified technology and financial services company. The products and services of the Company range from aircraft engines, power generation, water processing, and household appliances to medical imaging, business and consumer financing and industrial products. It serves customers in more than 100 countries. In June 2013, American Realty Capital Trust IV Inc announced that it has closed on the acquisition of 377 primarily net lease retail properties as part of its previously announced portfolio acquisition from certain affiliates of General Electric Co's GE Capital. In August 2013, General Electric Company completed the acquisition of the aviation business of Ario S.p.A. In December 2013, CLARCOR Inc. completed the acquisition of Air Filtration business of General Electric Company’s Power & Water division. Effective December 31, 2013, CareFusion Corp acquired Vital Signs Inc from GE Healthcare, a unit of General Electric Co.Source Article When i search General Electric i found some interesting news GE