McDonald's (MCD), the nation's No. 1 hamburger chain, said Tuesday its global same-store sales rose 8.5% in August, helped by a big jump in overseas sales.

The company said its U.S. same-store sales jumped 4.5%, driven by the company's breakfast menu, a promotion tied to the Olympics for the Southern Style Chicken sandwich and biscuit, and "everyday affordability" with a focus on beverages. In August, McDonald's priced its Sweet Tea at $1 nationwide.

Most restaurant chains are experiencing slower sales this year as consumers cut back on discretionary spending due to high gas prices, tight credit and the weak housing market. McDonald's – with its dollar menu and fast service – has fared better than most, but the chain has said it is not completely immune to the effects of the economic slowdown.

 In Europe, where the economy is also slowing down in some areas, same-store sales climbed 11.6%.

And always keep your eye on Wal-Mart it continues to hit new highs.

Also look into what the institutions are doing. Two notable institutional buys...

• David Einhorn filed for 990,000 shares of Pomeroy IT Solutions, 8.3% of the company. Pomeroy is a $60 million IT outsourcing company with sales of $606 million and operating cash flow of $5 million.

• Steve Cohen, of mega hedge fund SAC Capital, filed for 1.68 million shares, 7.4% of United Therapeutics. United is a $2.5 billion biotech company that develops treatments for life-threatening diseases.

And now a tidbit ALERT that is turning into a trend

Bailout Rallies only last for moments. On September 7, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) seized control of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Under their "conservatorship," the FHFA has ousted the companies' CEOs and done away with dividend payments.

The Treasury has also been authorized to purchase up to $100 billion in preferred stock from each of the companies and provide short-term funding to Fannie, Freddie, and 12 other federal home-loan banks.

This latest "rescue" marks the fourth time we've seen the federal government intervene in the stock market since July 2007...

On August 16, 2007, the Federal Reserve performed an "emergency" cut of the U.S. discount rate. Then, on January 22, 2008, the Federal Reserve cut its fed-funds rate in an unscheduled meeting. The government interfered again on March 16, 2008, by financing the takeover of Bear Stearns by JPMorgan Chase.

And each time the government stepped in, the stock market rallied – up between 6.5% and about 11%. But after these short-term rallies, the market has fallen to new lows.

Be aware of the Bear, very aware.