Frappes whip up more sales

McDonald’s Corp. reported a 2.1 percent gain in fourth-quarter profit as new menu items attracted diners, offsetting slower-than-estimated December sales because of snowstorms.

Net income rose to $1.24 billion the company said today in a statement. December sales in the U.S. were hurt by inclement weather, the retailer said, damping demand for frappes and the new Angus snack wraps that drew customers during non-meal times in the previous months.