By Connor Hart


McDonald's quarter pounder hamburgers have been linked to an E. coli outbreak that has sickened at least 49 people and killed one, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Illnesses have been reported in 10 states, with the most cases in Colorado and Nebraska. The first reported case came in late September. Shares fall 5.9%, to $296.20, in after-hours trading.

Starbucks missed expectations on earnings and sales for its fourth quarter and suspended its financial guidance for its next fiscal year. The world's largest coffee chain said U.S. same-store sales fell 6% in the three months ended Sept. 29, compared with a year earlier. The number of U.S. transactions sank 10%, the steepest plunge since 2020, when Starbucks grappled with the Covid-19 pandemic. New Chief Executive Brian Niccol said the company needs to fundamentally change its strategy to return to growth. Shares fall 4.2%, to $92.86, in postmarket trading.

Frontier Airlines is exploring a renewed bid for Spirit Airlines, The Wall Street Journal reported. The two budget airlines have had recent discussions about a possible merger, though people familiar with the matter said the talks are at an early stage and that a deal may not come to fruition. The talks come as Spirit continues discussions with bondholders over the terms of a potential chapter 11 filing. If a deal is reached, it would likely happen as part of Spirit restructuring its debt and other liabilities in bankruptcy. Spirit shares were 14% higher at $2.40 after hours. Frontier shares were up 1.8% at $6.84.


Write to Connor Hart at connor.hart@wsj.com


(END) Dow Jones Newswires

10-22-24 2012ET