Research
Wells Fargo Upgrades Yum! Brands to Overweight From Equalweight, Adjusts PT to $175 From $165
Yum! Brands (YUM) has an average rating of overweight and mean price target of $175.57, according to analysts polled by FactSet.
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46 stories mentioning YUMUpdated 3d ago
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Recent broker actions mentioned in FINWIRES coverage. Compiled from wire headlines; not investment advice.
- Wells FargoUpgradedOverweightPrice target$175from $165
- RBCTarget raisedSector PerformPrice target$170from $165
- Morgan StanleyUpgradedOverweightPrice target$185from $180
- TD CowenTarget revisedPrice target$186from $180
- CitigroupTarget revisedPrice target$175from $174
- BernsteinTarget revisedPrice target$170from $160
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Wire
Yum! Brands' Taco Bell, Americana Restaurants Partner for UAE Expansion
Yum! Brands (YUM) Taco Bell signed a development agreement with restaurant operator Americana Restaurants to open restaurants in the United Arab Emirates, Americana Restaurants said Friday.The agreement covers an initial launch in the United Arab Emirates before expanding into other Gulf Cooperation Council markets through a phased rollout.Americana Restaurants already operates KFC and Pizza Hut locations across the region under its existing relationship with Yum! Brands, Americana Restaurants said.Shares of Yum! Brands were up 1.6% in Friday trading.Price: $153.21, Change: $+2.46, Percent Change: +1.63%
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Insider Trading
Yum Brands Insider Sold Shares Worth $552,052, According to a Recent SEC Filing
Tracy L Skeans, COO and Chief People Officer, on August 24, 2026, sold 3,494 shares in Yum Brands (YUM) for $552,052. Following the Form 4 filing with the SEC, Skeans has control over a total of 3 common shares of the company, with 3 shares held directly.SEC Filing:https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1041061/000104106126000173/xslF345X05/form4.xml
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US Markets
Papa John's Cuts Sales Outlook, Suspends Dividend Amid Weak North America Demand; Shares Sink
Papa John's International's (PZZA) shares slumped Thursday after the company lowered its full-year sales forecast and suspended its dividend amid weakness in its North American business.The pizza restaurant operator now expects global system-wide restaurant sales to fall 2% to 4% this year, down from its prior outlook range of flat to down low-single-digits. North America comparable sales are now seen declining 6% to 8%, compared with the company's previous guidance of down 2% to 4%. For international comparable sales, Papa John's expects growth of 1% to 3%, down from its earlier range of a 2% to 4% increase.The company's board has decided to suspend its quarterly dividend starting in the third quarter to shift capital allocation towards its transformation strategy acceleration, it said in an earnings release.Addressing ongoing media speculations regarding a potential sale, Papa John's Chief Executive Todd Penegor said the pizza chain wasn't interested in selling itself following a strategic review. "We believe it is in the best interest of the company and all of our shareholders to focus 100% of our attention on Papa John's transformation," Penegor said on an earnings conference call Thursday, according to a FactSet transcript.The company's plunged nearly 16% in afternoon trade, bringing its year-to-date losses to 35%.Revenue for the quarter ended June 28 decreased 8.8% year over year to $482.4 million, compared with the FactSet-polled consensus of $481.2 million. Adjusted earnings rose to $0.46 a share from $0.41 a year earlier, versus Wall Street's $0.45 views.Global system-wide restaurant sales fell 4.8%, driven by lower North America comparable sales and a decline in global net restaurants on a trailing 12-month basis, which outweighed gains in international comparable sales, the company said in the release."Second-quarter results reflected continued momentum in our international business, where we delivered our seventh consecutive quarter of positive comparable sales, and ongoing headwinds in North America, driven by the softer consumer environment, lower order volumes, and a highly promotional (quick-service restaurant) marketplace," Penegor said in the release.Separately, Papa John's said it appointed Chris Lyn-Sue as global chief marketing officer and John Matter to the newly created role of global chief development officer.Also on Thursday, Restaurant Brands International (QSR) posted better-than-expected second-quarter earnings amid strong comparable sales growth at Burger King across domestic and international markets.Recently, Domino's Pizza (DPZ) reported fiscal second-quarter revenue above market estimates, while KFC parent Yum Brands (YUM) logged stronger-than-expected earnings.Price: $24.60, Change: $-5.15, Percent Change: -17.31%
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US Markets
Restaurant Brands Second-Quarter Earnings Beat Estimates Amid Burger King Strength
Restaurant Brands International (QSR) reported better-than-expected second-quarter earnings on Thursday amid strong comparable sales growth at Burger King across domestic and international markets.The Tim Hortons parent's adjusted earnings came in at $1.07 a share for the quarter ended June, up from $0.94 the year before, topping the FactSet-polled consensus of $1.04. Revenue improved to $2.52 billion from $2.41 billion, in line with the Street's view.Comparable sales rose 3.8%, exceeding the average analyst estimate for growth of 3%."We built on our strong start to 2026 with another quarter of over 3% global comparable sales and double-digit earnings growth, led by Burger King's standout performance and continued strength at international," Chief Executive Josh Kobza said in a statement.Burger King same-store sales jumped 8.5% in the US and 5.4% internationally, compared with gains of 1.5% and 4.1%, respectively, in the prior-year quarter.Last month, RBC Capital Markets said it expected Burger King's momentum to have continued into the second quarter, partially driven by underlying improvement as the company revamped its marketing campaign. The brokerage saw "further runway for improvement" as the company continued to remodel stores, it said in a client note at the time.Earlier in the week, rival McDonald's (MCD) reported second-quarter revenue below market expectations as comparable sales growth in the US slowed amid a challenging consumer environment. The fast-food giant appointed Skye Anderson as president of McDonald's USA, as part of efforts to boost long-term profitable growth of its US business.Restaurant Brands' second-quarter comparable sales growth at Tim Hortons slowed to 0.1% from 3.4% in the year-ago quarter. The metric declined 5.1% at the Popeyes brand and edged up 0.4% at Firehouse Subs.International same-store sales advanced 5.5%.Restaurant Brands continues to project comparable sales growth of more than 3% from 2024 to 2028 and reach net restaurant growth north of 5% towards the end of its algorithm period. Net restaurant growth remained unchanged year over year at 2.9% in the second quarter.Last week, KFC owner Yum Brands (YUM) reported better-than-expected second-quarter earnings, although revenue missed estimates as a recent food-safety issue weighed on demand at Taco Bell.
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Insider Trading
Yum Brands Insider Sold Shares Worth $1,219,227, According to a Recent SEC Filing
David Eric Russell, Senior Vice President, Controller, on August 03, 2026, sold 7,961 shares in Yum Brands (YUM) for $1,219,227. Following the Form 4 filing with the SEC, Russell has control over a total of 11,960 common shares of the company, with 11,960 shares held directly.SEC Filing:https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1041061/000104106126000155/xslF345X05/form4.xmlPrice: $149.02, Change: $+0.22, Percent Change: +0.15%
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Wire
Yum! Q2 Results Better Than Feared, RBC Says
Yum! Brands (YUM) Q2 results were better than feared as Taco Bell sales trends began recovering from news tied to Cyclospora infections, RBC Capital Markets said in a report Thursday.The report said trends have showed steady improvement, with transactions even inflected positive during this Tuesday's promotion, and social sentiment has returned to pre-issue levels."This gives us confidence that the brand can return to its industry-leading comp growth in 4Q and won't have a long-term impact on its reputation in the mind of the consumer," it said.The note also said its KFC brand still has opportunity forgrowth amid ongoing global macro headwinds.RBC kept its sector perform rating while raising its price target to $170 from $165, saying the YUM story is starting to look more compelling as investors have clarity on the Cyclospora impact.Price: $154.34, Change: $-2.66, Percent Change: -1.69%
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Wire
RBC Raises Price Target on Yum! Brands to $170 From $165, Keeps Sector Perform Rating
Yum! Brands (YUM) has an average rating of overweight and mean price target of $176.47, according to analysts polled by FactSet.Price: $154.48, Change: $-2.52, Percent Change: -1.61%
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Sectors
Sector Update: Consumer Stocks Mixed Late Afternoon
Consumer stocks were mixed late Thursday afternoon, with the State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) falling 2.2% and the State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) adding 1%.In corporate news, Crocs (CROX) shares fell past 7% after the footwear maker issued downbeat Q3 earnings guidance, while its Q2 results topped Wall Street's estimates.Steven Madden (SHOO) shares were up over 8% after it reported better-than-expected Q2 results and raised its fiscal 2026 outlook.Yum Brands (YUM) reported stronger-than-expected Q2 earnings Thursday, while revenue fell short as a recent food-safety issue weighed on demand at Taco Bell. Yum Brands shares gained 3.5%.Altria (MO) shares fell past 9% after it reported Q2 adjusted earnings that missed analysts' expectations.
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Sectors
Sector Update: Consumer Stocks Mixed in Afternoon Trading
Consumer stocks were mixed Thursday afternoon, with the State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) falling 2.5% and the State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) adding 0.6%.In corporate news, Yum Brands (YUM) reported stronger-than-expected Q2 earnings Thursday, while revenue fell short as a recent food-safety issue weighed on demand at Taco Bell. Its shares gained 2.8%.Altria (MO) shares fell 9% after it reported Q2 adjusted earnings that missed analysts' expectations.Ford (F) Chief Executive Jim Farley told employees at a town hall Thursday that the company is preparing for the possibility that Chinese automakers could enter the US market within the next five to 10 years, Reuters reported. Ford shares were down 3.4%.
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Sectors
Sector Update: Consumer
Consumer stocks were mixed Thursday afternoon, with the State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) falling 2.4% and the State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) adding 0.6%.In corporate news, Yum Brands (YUM) reported stronger-than-expected Q2 earnings Thursday, while revenue fell short as a recent food-safety issue weighed on demand at Taco Bell. Shares were up 3.1%.
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US Markets
KFC Parent Yum Brands Quarterly Earnings Top Views; Cyclospora Outbreak Impacts Taco Bell Sales
Yum Brands (YUM) reported stronger-than-expected second-quarter earnings on Thursday, while revenue fell short as a recent food-safety issue weighed on demand at Taco Bell.The fast-food restaurant operator's adjusted earnings rose to $1.62 a share for the June quarter from $1.44 the year before, ahead of the FactSet-polled consensus of $1.58. Overall revenue climbed 12% to $2.17 billion, but missed the Street's view for $2.18 billion.Earlier this month, the US Food and Drug Administration announced an investigation into a multi-state Cyclospora outbreak. The FDA linked the diarrhea-causing infection to certain iceberg lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell restaurants. Taco Bell said it removed the affected Taylor Farms lettuce from its restaurants and supply chain nationwide.Taco Bell has seen a "meaningful near-term sales impact," Yum Brands Chief Executive Chris Turner said during an earnings call, according to a FactSet transcript. "We expect the sales impact to be temporary.""Elevated uncertainty initially weighed on consumer demand, and since then, consumers have become increasingly aware that this is an industry wide issue, not an issue specific to Taco Bell," Turner told analysts.Worldwide same-store sales grew 3%, driven by 2% and 7% gains at KFC and Taco Bell, respectively. Pizza Hut decreased 1%.US same-store sales declined 2% at Pizza Hut and gained 7% at Taco Bell.Last month, Yum Brands agreed to sell Pizza Hut in two transactions worth about $2.7 billion.Last week, Domino's Pizza (DPZ) reported second-quarter revenue above market estimates, driven by order count growth, while the pizza restaurant chain's earnings missed expectations.The US restaurant and food distribution companies likely saw a mixed second quarter, Morgan Stanley said in a note earlier this month, with largely stable industry trends that are masking "signs of strain."
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Wire
Yum! Brands Set for Solid Q2 Results With Continued Taco Bell, KFC Momentum, UBS Says
Yum! Brands (YUM) is expected to report solid Q2 results, with continued momentum at Taco Bell and KFC despite higher gas prices and broader macro pressures, UBS said in a note Monday.The company is set to release its Q2 results on July 30.Investors are expected to focus on Taco Bell same-store sales, additional details from the Pizza Hut separation, updates to 2026 guidance, and commentary around the cyclosporiasis outbreak, the analysts said.They added that while they expect some impact to 2026 operating profit growth, reflected in their earnings per share estimate moving to $6.45 from $6.73, they "believe any pressures will prove temporary and should not have a lasting impact on brand perceptions or performance."The analysts said they expect Q2 net unit growth of 4.4%, with development tracking toward 2026 targets. Taco Bell is set to open 180 to 200 US stores annually, with 110-115 international openings per year. For KFC, they model 2026 unit growth of 4.9%, in line with the company's 5%+ target, "supported by franchisee demand, growth investments, strong unit economics, and sizable whitespace."UBS has a buy rating and a $180 price target on Yum! Brands.Price: $149.56, Change: $+0.64, Percent Change: +0.43%
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Sectors
Sector Update: Consumer Stocks Mixed Premarket Friday
Consumer stocks were mixed premarket Friday, with the State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) 1.2% higher and the State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) down 0.5%.Autoliv (ALV) stock was down more than 5% after the company reported Q2 adjusted earnings that missed analysts' expectations.Yum! Brands-owned (YUM) Taco Bell restaurants in five states are reportedly causing a Cyclospora outbreak through shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico, the US Food and Drug Administration said. Yum! Brands shares were 0.2% higher pre-bell.
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Sectors
Sector Update: Consumer Stocks Decline Late Afternoon
Consumer stocks were lower late Tuesday afternoon, with the State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) falling 1.4% and the State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) decreasing 0.1%.Redbook US same-store sales rose by 8.2% from a year earlier in the week ended July 11 after an 11.5% year-over-year increase in the previous week. "Discounts continue to drive sales performance and often vary weekly based on store promotions and product availability," Redbook said.In corporate news, Lucid (LCID) on Tuesday denied rumors of exploring a potential bankruptcy filing. "The rumors are completely false," the company said in an emailed statement to. Lucid said it has "sufficient liquidity to carry its operations well into next year" and has not created a special board committee to assess the scenarios reported. Lucid shares were down past 15%.Yum! Brands' (YUM) Taco Bell has stopped serving lettuce and cilantro at some restaurants in the Detroit metro area amid a growing cyclosporiasis outbreak in Michigan, multiple news outlets reported Tuesday. Yum! Brands shares were shedding 2.5%.Uber (UBER) is in advanced talks with Delivery Hero regarding a potential takeover of the German food-delivery company, Delivery Hero said on Tuesday. Uber shares were down 2.8%.Thomson Reuters (TRI) said Tuesday it has agreed to sell a 51% stake in its global print unit to KKR (KKR) for roughly $500 million in a joint venture transaction expected to close in Q4. Thomson Reuters shares were shedding 1.5%.
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Wire
Yum! Brands' Taco Bell Reportedly Pulls Lettuce, Cilantro at Some Michigan Locations Amid Parasite Probe
Yum! Brands' (YUM) Taco Bell has stopped serving lettuce and cilantro at some restaurants in the Detroit metro area amid a growing cyclosporiasis outbreak in Michigan, multiple news outlets reported Tuesday.Neither Taco Bell nor government health officials have publicly linked the chain's produce to the outbreak, which has infected 3,309 people in Michigan as of Tuesday, with at least 44 hospitalizations, the Detroit Free Press reported.The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said Monday that lettuce and other salad greens have emerged as a common products in the investigation, though no specific product, grower or supplier has been identified as the source, the Free Press reported.Taco Bell did not immediately respond to a request for comment from.Price: $157.22, Change: $-4.46, Percent Change: -2.76%
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Insider Trading
Yum Brands Insider Sold Shares Worth $962,680, According to a Recent SEC Filing
Aaron Powell, CEO, Pizza Hut, on July 01, 2026, sold 6,001 shares in Yum Brands (YUM) for $962,680. Following the Form 4 filing with the SEC, Powell has control over a total of 12,003 common shares of the company, with 12,003 shares held directly.SEC Filing:https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1041061/000104106126000145/xslF345X05/form4.xmlPrice: $160.90, Change: $+1.04, Percent Change: +0.65%
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Sectors
Sector Update: Consumer Stocks Mixed Late Afternoon
Consumer stocks were mixed late Tuesday afternoon, with the State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) decreasing 0.1% and the State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) adding 0.1%.Redbook US same-store sales soared 9.4% from a year earlier in the week ended June 13, after surging 9.1% in the previous week. Seasonal categories such as air conditioners, fans, pool and beach equipment, swimwear, and other hot-weather apparel led the growth, according to Redbook.In corporate news, Yum Brands (YUM) shares rose 1.5% after it said it has agreed to sell Pizza Hut in two deals valued at about $2.7 billion. Private equity firm LongRange Capital will acquire Pizza Hut outside China for about $1.5 billion, while Yum China (YUMC) will purchase the Chinese business for $1.2 billion, Yum Brands said Tuesday. Yum China shares were down 0.9%.Senators Edward Markey (D-Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) on Monday asked the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to examine Tesla's (TSLA) self-published crash statistics for its "Full Self-Driving" system, Reuters reported Tuesday. In their letter to the NHTSA, the senators cited an earlier Reuters investigation that found that Tesla was exaggerating its safety claims, the report said. Tesla shares were down 1.1%.Netflix (NFLX) is one of several media companies interested in acquiring Lionsgate Studios (LION), Semafor reported. Netflix shares fell 3.7%, and Lionsgate jumped 14%.Rivian Automotive (RIVN) laid off hundreds of employees, or under 2% of its workforce, Tuesday, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing a company spokesperson. The layoffs affected workers in the electric-vehicle maker's service and customer organization, the report said. Rivian shares fell 4.5%.
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Sectors
Sector Update: Consumer Stocks Edge Higher Tuesday Afternoon
Consumer stocks edged up Tuesday afternoon, with the State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) increasing and the State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) each adding 0.1%.Redbook US same-store sales soared 9.4% from a year earlier in the week ended June 13, after surging 9.1% in the previous week. Seasonal categories such as air conditioners, fans, pool and beach equipment, swimwear, and other hot-weather apparel led the growth, according to Redbook.In corporate news, Yum Brands (YUM) shares rose 1.9% after it said it has agreed to sell Pizza Hut in two deals valued at about $2.7 billion. Private equity firm LongRange Capital will acquire Pizza Hut outside China for about $1.5 billion, while Yum China (YUMC) will purchase the Chinese business for $1.2 billion, Yum Brands said Tuesday. Yum China shares were down 1%.Senators Edward Markey (D-Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) on Monday asked the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to examine Tesla's (TSLA) self-published crash statistics for its "Full Self-Driving" system, Reuters reported Tuesday. In their letter to the NHTSA, the senators cited an earlier Reuters investigation that found that Tesla was exaggerating its safety claims, the report said. Tesla shares were down 1.6%.John Wiley & Sons (WLY) shares added 0.4% after it reported higher fiscal Q4 results on Tuesday and said it expects fiscal 2027 results to show further gains.
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Asia Markets
Update: US Equity Indexes Mixed as Technology Sector Retreats
(Updates with index/price moves, macroeconomic data, and political/company news from the first paragraph.)US equity indexes traded mixed as the Dow Jones Industrial Average hit a new peak intraday amid sliding crude oil prices, while technology sank to the bottom of sector charts.The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite fell 0.6% to 26,537.1, with the S&P 500 down 0.3% to 7,534.2, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1% to 52,163.4 after midday Tuesday.All sectors except technology, energy, and communication services rose, with financials and industrials leading the gainers.Dow hit a fresh intraday record, taking out the all-time high scaled on Monday, as crude oil extended declines to the lowest level in more than three months following Sunday's announcement of an interim deal between the US and Iran to end the war in the Middle East.President Donald Trump vowed to publicly release the text of the memorandum of understanding Iran has signed with the US "in a couple of days," CNN reported Tuesday.Iran warned that any Israeli attack on Lebanon or continued occupation of its territory from now on will constitute a violation of the interim agreement with the US, Al Jazeera reported. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made clear he does not intend to withdraw from southern Lebanon, Gaza, or Syria, according to the CNN news report.Front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent slumped 4.6% to $78.61 per barrel, and US West Texas Intermediate dived 5.1% to $75.66 per barrel after midday.In company news, Space Exploration Technologies (SPCX) has agreed to acquire Anysphere, which operates Cursor, an artificial intelligence-based coding agent, in a deal worth about $60 billion. Shares of SpaceX jumped 11% intraday, boosting the company's market cap above Amazon's (AMZN).Meanwhile, Yum! Brands (YUM) said it has signed agreements to sell Pizza Hut for a combined $2.7 billion through two separate transactions.In economic news, US import prices jumped 1.9% in May, ahead of the 1% increase expected in a Bloomberg-compiled survey and following a 2.0% gain in April. Excluding a 13% surge in petroleum prices, import prices were up 0.8% from 0.5%, beating the 0.5% forecast. Export prices climbed 1.3% in May, above expectations for 0.9% and following a 3.5% jump in April.The New York Federal Reserve's services index worsened to minus 10.1 in June from minus 5.8 in May. The index is the first services reading for June and suggests more widespread contraction.Redbook US same-store sales soared 9.4% from a year earlier in the week ended June 13, after surging 9.1% in the previous week. Seasonal categories such as air conditioners, fans, pool and beach equipment, swimwear, and other hot-weather apparel led the growth, according to Redbook.
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