McDonald's wins big in the recession

Despite the recession, consumers still want to go out for dinner. However, more people want lower-priced food with a sheen of indulgence, and McDonald's (MCD) is turning out to be one of the beneficiaries of this shift in consumption patterns.

The world's largest restaurant chain said sales from restaurants opened more than a year rose 2.2 percent in August, boosted by sales of new products including the McCafe coffee drinks and the Angus Third Pounders burgers.