Today's story stock is McDonald's Corporation (NYSE:MCD). Earlier today McDonald's reported its August same-store sales, and the results were quite shocking. The company reported an 8.1% increase in same-store sales. U.S. same-store sales increased 7.4%, European sales were up 6.1%, and Asia/Pacific, Middle East, and Africa comps were up by 12.4%. 
McDonald's said that the strength in the United States could largely be attributed to success with its breakfast business, beverage menu, and new food offerings. The new Chipotle chicken wrap is said to have been a major hit among the new food offerings.
In Europe, McDonald's continues to turn itself around after a string of dismal reports just a few quarters ago. The company appears to have gained significant leverage against its major rivals such as Wendy's (NYSE:WEN), Burger King (NYSE:BKC), and Yum Brands (NYSE:YUM).
Shares of MCD responded very nicely to this news, gaining 3.27% and reaching a new 52 week high.
Analysts were impressed across the board with this sales number from MCD. Most analysts were stunned at the results given the tough comparisons to last year's sales and the higher dairy and poultry costs in the United States.
It should be extremely encouraging to MCD shareholders that the company is doing this well when there is so much concern about consumer spending, which should be hurting a company like McDonald's. McDonald's has gained a competitive advantage again, and now has more pricing power than ever.
Just a few short years ago McDonald's was started to be looked as a no growth company. Today the company is a consistent month over month sales growth machine.
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