McDonald’s reported better-than-expected quarterly same-restaurant sales, helped by the launch of all-day breakfasts in the United States and strong demand in China.

Global same-restaurant sales rose 5 per cent, above the 3.2 per cent expected by analysts polled by research firm Consensus Metrix.

The world’s biggest restaurant chain’s shares rose 3 per cent in premarket trading on Monday.

Sales at US restaurants open at least 13 months rose 5.7 per cent, handily beating the average estimate of 2.7 per cent.

McDonald’s introduced all-day breakfasts in its US restaurants in October, in a bid to attract more diners in the face of growing competition from rivals such as Chipotle and Shake Shack.

"As we enter 2016, we expect continued positive top-line momentum across all segments," said chief executive Steve Easterbrook, who took the helm last year.

The company does not break out China sales but said sales in its “high growth” markets, which include Russia and China, rose 3 per cent.

The company’s net income rose to $1.21 billion, or $1.31 per share, in the fourth quarter from $1.1 billion, or $1.13 per share, a year earlier.

Analysts on average had expected earnings of $1.23 per share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

Revenue fell 3.5 per cent to $6.34 billion, mainly due to a strong dollar, but beat the average analyst estimate of $6.22 billion.

Reuters