I am truly, truly tickled with this one. This may be the most exquisitely beautiful illustration of irony I have ever witnessed in my lifetime.
President Obama, try as he might, just cannot improve upon our horribly sluggish economy and thinks that bringing down millionaires, billionaires, and big corporations with more taxes will provide the answer (he may want to reconsider those Keynesian economics at some point). First Lady Obama has been trying her darndest to eradicate America's childhood obesity epidemic, lecturing on healthy nutrition habits with her "Let's Move!" campaign. Husband and wife both have some grand ambitions, but often find themselves frustrated in the execution.
So, in this terribly faltering economy, what company is doing terribly well? Oh yes: the original all-American junk food corporation, McDonald's.
McDonald's Corp.'s (MCD) second-quarter net income rose 15%, as the burger chain says it continues to build momentum, despite the economic headwinds challenging the fast-food industry.
McDonald's expects 4% to 5% growth globally in July same-store sales, which includes sales at restaurants that have been open at least 13 months, even if temporarily closed during that time. The summer boost follows a 5.6% global same-store sales increase in the second quarter, led by strong results in June.
Shares of McDonald's reached an all-time high Friday, trading up 3.2% to $89.29, and were up 21% over the past year through Thursday's close.
McDonald's has consistently outperformed the industry during and since the recession.
This is so preposterously perfect, I can hardly stand it - and it hurts so good.