McDonald’s scores big with smoothies

McDonald’s scores big with smoothies

CHICAGO

McDonald’s lesson from July: If you want to start selling cold, fruity drinks, pick one of the hottest months in U.S. history.

The fast-food giant posted its biggest monthly increase in more than a year in an important U.S. sales figure as the fast-food chain’s new fruit smoothies and ice-cold frappes got a warm reception from customers.

The increase shows just how much the behemoth is outpacing its competitors as customers keep flocking to the world’s largest hamburger chain while competitors post anemic U.S. sales. Shares touched an all-time high Monday morning.

China’s auto sales decline in July

BEIJING

China’s auto market weakened further in July as rapid sales growth cooled, an industry group reported Monday.

Sales declined 11.9 percent from June to 1.2 million vehicles, according to the state-sanctioned China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

The slowdown is a setback for global manufacturers such as General Motors that are hoping China will drive sales as demand elsewhere weakens.

Net calling service Skype files for IPO

NEW YORK

Skype SA, the Internet calling service that was controlled until last year by eBay Inc., filed Monday for a U.S. initial public offering.

Luxembourg-based Skype tentatively put the value of the offering at $100 million, but that’s a rough estimate used only as a basis for calculating the filing fee for the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Skype did not say when its shares would go on sale or at what price.

Merck reveals probe by 2 agencies

TRENTON, N.J.

Two federal agencies are probing drug maker Merck & Co. for possibly violating anti-bribery laws in multiple foreign countries.

Merck, the world’s second-biggest drug maker by revenue, has received inquiry letters from both the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission, the company said in a regulatory filing.

Associated Press