**McDonald's Q3 Earnings Beat Estimates Despite Global Sales Dip**

McDonald’s Corporation reported its third-quarter earnings, surpassing analyst expectations with an adjusted EPS of $3.23 compared to the anticipated $3.20. The fast-food giant also reported quarterly sales of $6.90 billion, beating the estimated $6.82 billion, representing a 3% year-over-year increase (2% in constant currencies).

Despite the positive earnings report, McDonald's experienced a 1.5% decline in global comparable sales for the quarter. The U.S. market saw a modest 0.3% increase, attributed to higher average checks and successful marketing strategies, despite a drop in guest counts. On the other hand, the International Operated Markets suffered a 2.1% decrease, largely due to weaker performance in France and the U.K. The International Developmental Licensed Markets reported a more significant 3.5% decline, influenced by ongoing geopolitical issues in the Middle East and lackluster sales in China, though positive performance in Latin America provided some relief.

Additionally, McDonald's systemwide sales from loyalty program members reached over $28 billion in the last twelve months, with the quarterly figure nearing $8 billion. The company also announced a 6% increase in its quarterly cash dividend to $1.77 per share in September, which reflects their continued commitment to rewarding shareholders.

However, the company's stock took a hit, dropping 2.46% to $289.50 in premarket trading on Tuesday. This decline follows recent news stories, including former President Donald Trump's visit to one of its restaurants and an E.coli outbreak affecting locations in the Western U.S. McDonald's has not provided any updates on the potential impact of the outbreak on its future guidance.

In sum, while McDonald's has demonstrated solid financial performance in the latest quarter, challenges remain in several international markets, and the company must navigate ongoing external issues affecting its operations.