McDonald's 4th-period net up, ahead of estimate

NEW YORK (MarketWatch)
McDonald's Corp.,the Oak Brook, Ill., restaurant major, reported stronger-than-expected fourth-quarter net income, up 11%, on 9.8% higher revenue
Earnings reached $1.38 billion, or $1.33 a share, from $1.24 billion, or $1.16, in the year-earlier period
Revenue totaled $6.82 billion against $6.21 billion
A survey of analysts by FactSet Research produced consensus estimates of $1.30 of profit on $6.81 billion of revenue
In a Tuesday statement, McDonald's reported global comparable-store sales rose 5.6% with all geographic regions reporting increases
In 2012, MCD plans to invest $2.9 billion, half to open more than 1,300 stores and half to strengthen existing locations, Chief Executive Jim Skinner said in a statement