NEW YORK: McDonald's on Thursday reported a jump in US comparable sales in the third quarter, offsetting declines in international markets amid strong demand for affordable food options in a weakened economy.

The fast-food giant said the US business benefited from larger group orders and improved dinner sales that made up for a drop in the number of customers. McDonald's also announced it was boosting its dividend.

US comparable sales rose 4.6 percent in the third quarter compared with the year-ago period, a big improvement after the 19.2 percent drop in the second quarter.

Global comparable sales declined 2.2 percent due to weakness in several large overseas markets, where sales dropped in China, in bigger European markets including France and Germany and in Latin America. But sales were strong in Australia and Japan.-AFP