Morocco's Economy Grows by 2.3%

The Moroccan flag is seen in front of a destroyed building following the devastating earthquake in Marrakesh last month. (Reuters)
The Moroccan flag is seen in front of a destroyed building following the devastating earthquake in Marrakesh last month. (Reuters)
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Morocco's Economy Grows by 2.3%

The Moroccan flag is seen in front of a destroyed building following the devastating earthquake in Marrakesh last month. (Reuters)
The Moroccan flag is seen in front of a destroyed building following the devastating earthquake in Marrakesh last month. (Reuters)

Morocco's national economy grew by 2.3 percent in the second quarter of 2023, compared with 2.2 percent in the same quarter of 2022.

Driven by external demand, this growth was achieved against a backdrop of high inflation and an improvement in the national economy's financing capacity.

According to the Higher Planning Commission (HCP), the country's leading statistics institution, non-agricultural activities recorded a 2.1 percent volume increase, compared to a rise in agricultural activities by 6.3 percent.

Meanwhile, the added value of the primary sector increased in terms of volume, recording an increase of 6 percent during the second quarter of 2023.

It was due to an increase in agricultural sector activities by 6.3 percent, paired with a slower 0.5 percent growth in fishing.

Furthermore, the added value of the secondary sector recorded a 2.8 percent drop compared to 1 percent during the second quarter of last year.

The decrease is due to a decline in the added values of each extraction industry by 9.4 percent compared to a 7.5 percent decrease.

Public works and construction increased by 2.8 percent instead of a 1.8 percent decrease. Manufacturing industries saw a 2.1 percent rise compared to a 1.8 percent increase.

Electricity and water activities increased by 1.4 percent compared to a 1.5 decrease during the same period.

At the same time, the added value in the tertiary sector slowed to 4.4 percent, marked by a rise in real estate services and a slowdown in accommodation and catering.

Services such as the transport and warehousing sectors slowed by 5.3 percent, while education, health, and social services dropped by 5.1 percent.

General public administration and social security services also fell by 4.8 percent.

Other services experienced a slowdown, including research and development and business services, information and communication, financial services and insurance, and trade and repair of vehicles.

In the first quarter of 2023, the Moroccan economy recorded a rise of 3.5 percent.



McDonald's Sales Fall Globally for First Time in More Than Three Years 

The logo of McDonald's is seen in Los Angeles, California, United States, April 22, 2016. (Reuters)
The logo of McDonald's is seen in Los Angeles, California, United States, April 22, 2016. (Reuters)
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McDonald's Sales Fall Globally for First Time in More Than Three Years 

The logo of McDonald's is seen in Los Angeles, California, United States, April 22, 2016. (Reuters)
The logo of McDonald's is seen in Los Angeles, California, United States, April 22, 2016. (Reuters)

McDonald's reported a surprise drop in sales worldwide on Monday, its first decline in 13 quarters, as deal-seeking consumers shy away from higher priced menu items, including Big Macs.

Persistent inflation has forced lower-income consumers to shift to more affordable food options at home. That has led fast food chains such as McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's and Taco Bell to lean on value meals to spark customer traffic.

McDonald's shares, which are down 15% this year, rose nearly 4% after company executives said the $5 meal deal launched late in June sold above expectations. They said the company was working with franchisees in a bid to extend it beyond August.

The company, which stuck to its 2024 forecast for operating margin of mid-to-high 40% range, said it would be more selective with price increases to protect profitability.

"Even though things (traffic) are soft now, they should be getting better in the back half of the year ... with better value on the menu," said Brian Mulberry, client portfolio manager at Zacks Investment Management.

Global comparable sales fell 1% in the second quarter, compared with expectations of a 0.5% increase. Overall revenue rose 1%.

CEO Chris Kempczinski said there is a lot more deal-thinking from consumers who have become "very discriminating". "Consumer sentiment in most of our major markets remains low," he said.

McDonald's results dovetail with comments last week from Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey, who said there had been "some softness in away-from-home channels" in North America, an indication of fewer people eating out.

"The biggest hit for McDonald's is the low-income consumer has really cut back on visits and that is more than offsetting the typical trade down McD normally sees in tougher economic times," said Edward Jones analyst Brian Yarbrough.

US comparable sales fell 0.7% in the quarter ended June 30, compared with a 10.3% jump a year ago. Sales in international markets, which made up nearly half its 2023 revenue, dropped 1.1%, driven by weakness in France.

A slower-than-expected recovery in China and the Middle East conflict hurt the performance of McDonald's business segment where restaurants are operated by its local partners, as sales declined 1.3% compared with a 14% jump a year earlier.

Companies like McDonald's and Starbucks have also suffered from consumer boycotts linked to the Gaza war, which hit their sales in the Middle East markets.

McDonald's, however, stuck to its capital expenditure budget of up to $2.7 billion, with more than half of that earmarked for new restaurants in the US and international markets.

It earned $2.97 per share on an adjusted basis in the second quarter, missing expectations of $3.07.