McDonald's earnings: Not lovin' it

Through the course of the recession, one solid truism has been that fast food restaurants like McDonald's (MCD) should benefit from dire economic circumstances. As customers become more cash-strapped and short on time, the iconic golden arches offer meals that are simple, quick and cheap. Perhaps just as important, McDonald's offers a familiarity that is extremely comforting.

In many ways, the chain's Q2 earnings bear this out. McDonald's had a 4.8 percent jump in global comparable sales, with a 3.5 percent increase in the US and a 6.9 percent increase in Europe. Earnings per share were $0.98.