McDonald's (MCD) is looking to expand its footprint in Russia by increasing its store count by 15%, or about 40 new locations, in an effort to tap the growing demand for fast food. McDonald's competes with Wendy's (WEN), Subway, Burger King (BKC), and Yum! Brands (YUM) in the fast-food market and is the market leader with about 19% share. The company also competes with Starbucks (SBUX) in the specialty coffee market.

We have $78.40 price estimate for McDonald's stock, which is slightly ahead of market price.

Movie theaters don't want you to know how many calories are in the popcorn and that's why they are resisting FDA attempts at requiring disclosures. If the FDA required scales in front of the popcorn counters, or that all popcorn be sold with free carrots, I might side with the theaters, but requiring one of those small nutritional information panels on the back of the popcorn bucket -- eaten in a darkened theater -- hardly seems oppressive to me.

I'm all for free choice and I don't want to take away anyone's jumbo popcorn as they go to the movies -- unless, of course, I get to eat some of it.

McDonald's(MCD) competes with Wendy's(WEN), Burger King, and Yum! Brands(YUM) in the fast food market and is the market leader with about 19% share. The company also competes with Starbucks(SBUX) in the specialty coffee market.

McDonald's owns and franchises restaurants across the globe with over 32,000 restaurants in 117 countries. Of these, roughly 80% were operated by franchisees, with the balance being company-owned. We estimate that franchisee rent & fees accounts for 62% of McDonald's stock value with franchisee royalties generating an additional 29%. The remaining 9% comes from company-owned restaurants.

McDonald's (MCD - option chain) shares are rising today after the company announced this morning that its January same-store sales rose 5.3% worldwide, while US same-store sales rose 3.1%. Analysts were expecting sales to rise 4.5%. MCD cited January snowstorms for the disappointing US performance, but super strong performance in Europe, up 7%, is offsetting the weaker US. This stock has been in a bit of a downward slide over the past month or so, but today's data and the stock's reaction could signal a change in fortunes. If you think that the stock won't fall by too much in the coming months, then now could be a good time to look at a bullish hedged trade on MCD.

MCD opened this morning at $74.37. So far today the stock has hit a low of $74.20 and a high of $75.97. As of 12:00, MCD is trading at $75.70 up $2.25 (3.0%). The chart for MCD looks neutral and S&P gives MCD a neutral 3 STARS (out of 5) hold ranking.

Blue-chip burger baron McDonald's (MCD) was in focus Monday morning after the company unveiled its fourth-quarter earnings. The fast-food chain reported net income of $1.24 billion, or $1.16 per share, slightly improved from its year-ago profit of $1.22 billion, or $1.11 per share. Revenue for the quarter climbed 4% to $6.21 billion.

The fourth-quarter results were more or less in line with Wall Street's expectations, but the same can't be said of its December sales. Global same-store sales rose 3.7% across the board, led by an 8.9% gain in the Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa (APMEA). U.S. same-store sales increased 2.6% in December, while sales at restaurants open at least 13 months declined 0.5% in Europe.

With earnings season in full swing, the FOMC meeting on interest rates, the GDP estimate, and housing numbers due out, the coming week is shaping up to be a busy one. So here's a peek at what's on the economic calendar.

Monday

Quarterly reports from American Express (AXP) and McDonald's (MCD) will highlight Monday. Amgen (AMGN), CSX (CSX), Halliburton (HAL) and Texas Instruments (TXN) are also expected to report strong earnings results.

I own Coca-Cola (KO) for the long term. It could very well be my favorite stock. Great brand, excellent dividend history, and so forth . . . you know the drill on Coke. Even so, I enjoy trying to figure out its technical future. For those who have been following the stock's price action this week, I'm sure you're wondering the same thing: Is the equity a sell at this point?

Full disclosure: Back in September, I tried to predict the short-term future of the beverage giant, and I got it wrong. I thought it might be too high around the $59 mark. Looks like the market disagreed, judging by the chart.

Fast-food entity Sonic (SONC) closed Tuesday's regular session at a quote of $10.10. That represented a gain of a mere two pennies going into the after-the-bell earnings release. I guess investors weren't too excited by the prospects of the data.

Shares didn't do much in the extended session either, but popped about 4% at the opening bell Wednesday. For a longer-term perspective, take a look at the one-year chart. The stock seems to be doing its best to climb back to higher levels. Returning to the 52-week high of $13.11 would be nice.

So, McDonald's Corporation (MCD) is having a bit of trouble today getting a bid. With roughly ninety minutes left to the trading day, shares were off by 2.5% to $74.67. Volume was heavy.

What's going on? The stock has pulled back in very recent times after experiencing a great run-up; check out this chart to see what I mean. The 52-week low is $61.06 and the 52-week high is $80.94. Granted, the current selling pressure hasn't taken the company down to the depths of the yearly low, but it might be somewhat disappointing for shareholders. Is it now time to prepare for a down cycle in the equity?

McDonald's (MCD) said that its global comparable sales increased by 4.8% during November. "McDonald's continued strong performance reflects the benefits of our global alignment around the Plan to Win," said CEO Jim Skinner.

In the U.S., MCD's same-store sales increased 4.9%. The company attributes this performance to strong demand for McCafe beverages and the return of the "iconic" McRib sandwich (yuck).

Overseas sales in Europe increased 4.9% on strong performance in France, Germany, Russia, and the U.K. The focus on McWraps in Germany and four-tiered menu pricing paid off. In the Asia/Pacific, Middle East, and Africa market, sales increased 2.4% as strong performance in Australia and China offset poor performance in Japan.

McDonald's (MCD) is expected to report November sales on December 8. Overall option implied volatility of 18 is near its 26-week average of 20, according to Track Data, suggesting nondirectional price movement.

Proshares UltraShort Barclays 20 Year Treasury ETF (TBT) overall option implied volatility of 37 is above its 26-week average of 34, according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement.

Options Update is by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com.

Perusing through the 13D filings in Barron's November 29 issue I came across news reported by InsiderScore.com regarding American International Group, Inc. (AIG). It was noted that "Fairholme Capital raised its holdings to 39,990,099 shares (29%), by buying 1,765,900 shares from Nov. 5 to Nov. 16 at prices ranging from $41.72 to $43.59."

I do not usually make mention of such things but owning 29% of a company capitalized at $5.6 billion dollars is a lot. I would even go as far as to say that in some circumstances that might equate to controlling interest. Prior to "my pal Warren" (Buffett) making an offer to acquire the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad for Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) it only owned 23% of the outstanding shares.

Among the quarterly results scheduled for this holiday-shortened week, investors may be thankful for the earnings results from Tyson Foods (TSN). The Arkansas-based poultry and meat producer reported on its sustainability efforts and also was named McDonalds' (MCD) supplier of the year during its fiscal fourth quarter. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters forecast earnings for that period to have doubled from a year ago to 56 cents per share.

Tyson is also expected to post revenue of $7.8 billion for the three months that ended in September, which is 7.4% more than in the same period of fiscal 2009. And the consensus estimate for the full year calls for earnings of $2.08 per share (+87.0%) and revenue of $28.7 billion (+7.3%). Tyson's earnings have been better than expected in recent quarters, beating consensus estimates by as much as 24 cents per share.

This company has been on my recommended list for longer than any other company in the four and a half years that I have been writing for BloggingStocks -- with only one exception, Intuitive Surgical (ISRG). The company is EZCorp (EZPW), which beat the Street again with third quarter earnings per share of $0.56, three cents better than the analyst estimate.

Revenue for the quarter was $198.2 million, which tops the estimate of $191.01 million. The company projects 2011 earnings higher too: EPS of about $2.35 vs. an estimate of $2.25. EZCorp grew earnings by 33% and increased its footprint by 127 stores through new construction and acquisitions.

In a move sure to be incomprehensible to children in the San Francisco Bay area, free toys included in McDonald's (MCD) "happy meals" have been banned by the thoughtful and considerate San Francisco Board of Supervisors. I wonder if the supervisors will be on hand in December to explain this move to little customers first hand.

It seems incomprehensible that any politician would steal toys from children, but the move effectively does just that unless the meal meets certain health requirements. I understand that childhood obesity and proper nutrition are important issues, but it seems to me that parents are more qualified to handle them than a city's board of supervisors.