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Yum China Holdings (YUMC)
NYSE:YUMC

Yum China Holdings (YUMC) AI Stock Analysis

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YU

Yum China Holdings

(NYSE:YUMC)

Rating:78Outperform
Price Target:
$50.00
▲(11.33%Upside)
Yum China Holdings receives a strong overall stock score due to its robust financial performance, highlighted by consistent revenue growth and efficient cost management. The positive sentiment from the recent earnings call and strategic corporate events further support its growth potential. However, mixed technical indicators and valuation metrics suggest careful monitoring of market conditions.
Positive Factors
Capital Return Program
The company is on track to return USD4.5bn to shareholders in the form of share repurchases and dividends.
Dividend Increase
The company has declared a 50% increase in quarterly dividend, reflecting confidence in its financial performance and future growth.
Market Share and Growth Drivers
Yum China is still gaining market share with loads of growth drivers, evidenced by rapid volume growth and delivery sales growth.
Negative Factors
P/E Ratio
The stock is trading at a P/E ratio not particularly attractive, despite a higher gross profit margin.
Same Store Sales Growth
Expected negative or flat same store sales growth for both KFC and Pizza Hut suggests challenges in maintaining sales momentum.
Store Opening and Closures
Higher-than-expected franchised store opening mix and store closures will still affect the net profit growth forecast meaningfully.

Yum China Holdings (YUMC) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Yum China Holdings Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionYum China Holdings, Inc. is a leading restaurant company in China, operating and managing popular brands such as KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell. The company is a licensee of Yum! Brands in China and is headquartered in Shanghai. Yum China focuses on offering innovative and localized food choices to cater to the diverse tastes of Chinese consumers, while maintaining the quality and brand integrity of its global franchises. With thousands of locations across China, Yum China is a major player in the quick-service restaurant and casual dining sectors.
How the Company Makes MoneyYum China makes money primarily through the operation of its restaurant brands in China, which include KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell, among others. The company's revenue streams consist of sales from company-operated restaurants, franchise fees from franchises, and sales of food and paper to franchised restaurants. A significant portion of its revenue comes from KFC and Pizza Hut, which are well-established and popular brands in the Chinese market. Yum China also generates income through delivery services, digital sales, and loyalty programs, which have been bolstered by partnerships with local technology companies for mobile payment solutions and online ordering platforms. The company's strategic expansion into smaller cities and the adaptation of its menu to local tastes further contribute to its earnings.

Yum China Holdings Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Apr 30, 2025
(Q1-2025)
|
% Change Since: -3.25%|
Next Earnings Date:Aug 05, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call highlighted strong financial performance with record revenue, significant same-store sales growth, and successful expansion in new ventures such as KCOFFEE. Despite challenges like higher delivery costs and the impact of smaller store openings on overall sales growth, the company remains optimistic with strategic plans for continued expansion and shareholder returns.
Q1-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record Quarterly Performance
Achieved first-quarter record highs in revenue, net income, and diluted EPS. Operating profit grew by 8% and diluted EPS increased by 10% year-over-year.
KFC and Pizza Hut Same-Store Sales Growth
Same-store sales index was 100% of prior year level for both KFC and Pizza Hut, marking a significant improvement.
Expansion and Growth in KCOFFEE
Opened 300 KCOFFEE cafes, reaching a total of 1,000 locations with plans to expand to 1,500 by the end of 2025. KCOFFEE saw around a 20% increase in both cups and sales year-over-year.
Successful Product Innovations
Introduced a spicy flavor of original recipe chicken at KFC, boosting sales mix by 50% during the promotion period. Pizza Hut's new menu enhanced its value-for-money proposition, significantly boosting consumer traffic.
Strong Shareholder Returns
On track to return $3 billion to shareholders in 2025 through 2026, with $262 million returned in Q1 2025.
Negative Updates
Impact of Smaller Store Openings
Opening more smaller stores in lower-tier cities led to a net new unit contribution of only 4% to sales growth, despite an 11% increase in store count.
Delivery Costs Pressure
Cost of labor increased by 30 basis points year-over-year due to higher rider costs from increased delivery volume.
Temporary Store Closures
Slightly more temporary closures during the Chinese New Year holiday impacted sales growth.
Company Guidance
During Yum China's first quarter 2025 earnings call, significant guidance metrics were highlighted, demonstrating the company's robust performance and strategic direction. The company achieved record highs in revenue, net income, and diluted EPS, with same-store sales index reaching 100% of the prior year level for KFC and Pizza Hut. Restaurant margins expanded by 100 basis points year-over-year, contributing to an 8% increase in operating profit and a 10% rise in diluted EPS. KFC's system sales grew by 3%, with restaurant margins at 19.8%, while Pizza Hut's operating profit surged by 29%, driven by a 2% increase in system sales and a 17% growth in same-store transactions. Yum China opened 300 KCOFFEE cafes, aiming for 1,500 locations by the end of 2025. The company maintained its full-year guidance of mid-single-digit system sales growth, with plans to open 1,600 to 1,800 net-new stores and a strategic focus on innovation and operational efficiency to navigate the evolving market landscape.

Yum China Holdings Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Yum China Holdings shows strong financial performance with consistent revenue growth of 18.2% from 2022 to 2023 and stable profitability. The company's efficient cost management is reflected in solid EBIT and EBITDA margins, while cash flow generation is robust with impressive free cash flow growth. However, the balance sheet indicates a need for attention to asset management despite moderate leverage and healthy equity ratios.
Income Statement
85
Very Positive
Yum China Holdings shows solid financial performance with a consistent upward trajectory in revenue, reflected in a revenue growth rate of 18.2% from 2022 to 2023. The company has maintained stable profitability, evidenced by a TTM gross profit margin of 38.2% and a net profit margin of 8.1%. EBIT and EBITDA margins are also strong at 10.8% and 14.0% respectively, indicating efficient operations and cost management.
Balance Sheet
78
Positive
The balance sheet of Yum China Holdings demonstrates solid financial stability with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, suggesting a moderate level of leverage. The equity ratio stands at 52.6%, reflecting a healthy proportion of equity financing. Return on equity is at 15.8%, indicating effective use of equity to generate profits. However, a decrease in total assets from previous years may need attention.
Cash Flow
82
Very Positive
Yum China Holdings exhibits strong cash flow generation with an impressive free cash flow growth rate of 28.3% in the TTM period. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is 1.57, suggesting strong cash generation from operational activities. The free cash flow to net income ratio of 1.00 further indicates efficient cash management.
Breakdown
TTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income StatementTotal Revenue
11.33B11.30B10.98B9.57B9.85B8.26B
Gross Profit
1.92B1.89B1.89B1.43B1.36B1.27B
EBIT
1.19B1.16B1.11B833.00M842.00M961.00M
EBITDA
1.76B1.81B1.57B1.72B1.25B1.16B
Net Income Common Stockholders
916.00M911.00M827.00M442.00M990.00M784.00M
Balance SheetCash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
1.99B1.84B2.60B3.15B4.00B4.26B
Total Assets
11.00B11.12B12.03B11.83B13.22B10.88B
Total Debt
1.95B2.41B2.54B2.40B2.83B2.39B
Net Debt
1.13B1.69B1.41B1.27B1.70B1.23B
Total Liabilities
4.56B4.69B4.91B4.67B5.30B4.40B
Stockholders Equity
5.78B5.73B6.41B6.48B7.06B6.21B
Cash FlowFree Cash Flow
778.68M714.00M763.00M734.00M442.00M695.00M
Operating Cash Flow
1.43B1.42B1.47B1.41B1.13B1.11B
Investing Cash Flow
-349.59M-178.00M-743.00M-504.00M-818.00M-3.11B
Financing Cash Flow
-1.14B-1.64B-716.00M-844.00M-313.00M2.06B

Yum China Holdings Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price44.91
Price Trends
50DMA
44.69
Positive
100DMA
46.52
Negative
200DMA
45.01
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.18
Negative
RSI
54.58
Neutral
STOCH
77.51
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For YUMC, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 44.91 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 43.77, above the 50-day MA of 44.69, and below the 200-day MA of 45.01, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of -0.18 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 54.58 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 77.51 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for YUMC.

Yum China Holdings Risk Analysis

Yum China Holdings disclosed 79 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Yum China Holdings reported the most risks in the "Legal & Regulatory" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Yum China Holdings Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
78
Outperform
$16.71B18.7515.73%2.14%2.79%19.36%
CMCMG
72
Outperform
$68.20B45.5145.57%12.57%21.42%
MCMCD
71
Outperform
$214.82B26.50-216.57%2.36%-0.22%-3.83%
67
Neutral
$103.90B33.23-47.07%2.67%-0.50%-24.28%
YUYUM
66
Neutral
$40.00B28.70-19.43%1.97%10.09%-11.50%
65
Neutral
$1.58B20.42-20.16%3.82%-2.77%4.01%
63
Neutral
$6.98B11.412.80%4.24%2.68%-24.94%
* Consumer Cyclical Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
YUMC
Yum China Holdings
44.91
11.53
34.54%
CMG
Chipotle
51.79
-11.63
-18.34%
MCD
McDonald's
301.72
53.08
21.35%
PZZA
Papa John's International
51.79
5.64
12.22%
SBUX
Starbucks
95.39
17.94
23.16%
YUM
Yum! Brands
143.41
8.75
6.50%

Yum China Holdings Corporate Events

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder MeetingsStock Buyback
Yum China Holds 2025 Annual Stockholders Meeting
Neutral
May 23, 2025

Yum China Holdings, Inc. held its 2025 annual meeting of stockholders on May 23, 2025, in Hong Kong, where 83.50% of the company’s outstanding common stock was represented. During the meeting, stockholders elected 12 directors, approved KPMG as auditors, endorsed executive compensation, and granted the board authority to issue and repurchase shares within specified limits, impacting the company’s governance and financial strategies until June 23, 2026.

The most recent analyst rating on (YUMC) stock is a Buy with a $37.40 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Yum China Holdings stock, see the YUMC Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Yum China Releases 2024 Annual Financial Report
Neutral
Apr 7, 2025

On April 7, 2025, Yum China Holdings, Inc. released its annual report for the year ending December 31, 2024, in accordance with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange’s listing rules. This report provides insights into the company’s financial performance and strategic positioning, impacting stakeholders by offering a comprehensive overview of its operations and market strategy.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.