Early this morning, McDonald's (NYSE: MCD) announced that its April comparable sales increased 6.9%. The company's sales were pushed higher as sales strength in the United States helped to offset the impact of the stronger dollar. When the dollar is strong, it lessens the value of overseas sales -- the stronger dollar led to a 1% decline at MCD restaurants worldwide.Breaking down the numbers, sales in the U.S. increased 6.1%, European sales increased 8.4% and sales in Asia/Middle East/Africa increased 6.5%. Excluding currency translations, MCD worldwide sales increased 8.9%. In the United States, MCD received its biggest boost from its new McCafe coffees (a personal favorite, although it is tough to top an ice cold diet coke) and its chicken Snack Wraps.
Last week, the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) announced that worldwide semiconductor sales dropped to $17.4 billion from $22.3 billion in December, a drop of 22%. Compared to November, December's sales were 16.6% lower. For comparison, November 2007 chip sales fell only 10%. 
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