Analysts projected comparable-store sales would rise 4.1 percent, according to the average of seven estimates compiled by Bloomberg News. Sales in the U.S. climbed 4 percent, the Oak Brook, Illinois-based company said today in a statement.

Chief Executive Officer James Skinner said sales increased 6.5 percent in Europe and 6.5 percent in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. McDonald’s, which debuted frozen-strawberry lemonade in the U.S. today, plans to introduce a mango pineapple smoothie this year.

Specialty beverages are “appealing to an even broader group of customers and bringing in more customers,” Sofia Therios, a director of marketing at McDonald’s, said in a telephone interview last week. Beverages make up about one-fifth of sales at McDonald’s.

March same-stores sales increased 3.6 percent globally. Comparable-store sales are viewed as a key measure of a retailer’s growth because they exclude the impact of store closings and openings.

McDonald’s rose 55 cents to $79.25 at 8:01 a.m. New York time after closing at $78.70 last week in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. The shares had gained 2.5 percent this year before today.