McDonald's Sees Oct US Same-Store Sales Flat To Slight Negative

   By Paul Ziobro 
   Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

NEW YORK (Dow Jones)

McDonald's Corp. (MCD) expects to post flat to slightly-negative U.S. same-store sales for October, Chief Executive Jim Skinner said.

Strong results from Europe and its Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa region should keep consolidated same-store sales positive for the month.

Skinner said McDonald's October sales will be negative in the U.S. based partly on last year's strong performance.

"We do not believe, however, that this is a change in the overall trend in performance in the U.S.," Skinner said.

McDonald's shares recently trading up 97 cents, or 1.7%, at $59.32, paring some gains from earlier in the trading session. Investors have been closely watching U.S. sales trends to gauge the impact of intense price competition in the fast-food arena.

McDonald's reported third-quarter earnings of $1.26 billion , or $1.15 a share, ahead of analysts estimates on the back of strong September same-store sales, which rose 5.1% worldwide, including 3.2% in the U.S.

-By Paul Ziobro, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2194; paul.ziobro@dowjones.com