We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. By pressing "Accept All" or closing out of this banner, you consent to the use of all cookies and similar technologies and the sharing of information they collect with third parties. You can reject marketing cookies by pressing "Deny Optional," but we still use essential, performance, and functional cookies. In addition, whether you "Accept All," Deny Optional," click the X or otherwise continue to use the site, you accept our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, revised from time to time.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Yum China Beats Q4 Earnings Estimates, Hikes Dividend, Stock Up
Read MoreHide Full Article
Yum China Holdings, Inc. (YUMC - Free Report) reported fourth-quarter 2024 results, with earnings beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate but revenues missing the same. Both top and bottom lines increased on a year-over-year basis.
Stay up-to-date with all quarterly releases: See Zacks Earnings Calendar.
Following the results, shares of the company gained 9.1% during trading hours yesterday. Positive investor sentiments were witnessed as the company increased dividends by 50% and showed margin improvement in fourth-quarter 2024.
YUMC’s Q4 Earnings & Revenue Discussion
Yum China reported adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of 30 cents, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 29 cents by 3.5%. The bottom line moved up 20% year over year.
Total revenues of $2,595 million missed the consensus mark of $2,638 million. However, the top line increased 4% on a year-over-year basis. Excluding foreign currency translation, revenues increased 4% year over year.
Total system sales (excluding foreign currency translation) increased 4% year over year. This upside was attributable to the net new unit contribution of 5%. System sales at KFC and Pizza Hut increased 5% and 3% (excluding foreign currency translation), respectively, year over year.
During the quarter, YUMC's same-store sales reached 99% of the previous year's level and same-store transactions grew 4% on a year-over-year basis.
Operating Highlights of YUMC
During the fourth quarter, total costs and expenses amounted to $2.44 billion compared with $2.38 billion reported in the prior-year quarter. We expected the metric at $2.51 billion.
The restaurant margin was 12.3%, up 160 basis points year over year. We estimated the metric at 12.2%.
Adjusted operating profit totaled $151 million compared with $116 million a year ago. Our estimate for the metric was $159.7 million.
Adjusted net income amounted to $115 million compared with $103 million reported in the prior-year quarter. Our estimate for the metric was $114.1 million.
YUMC’s Balance Sheet
As of Dec. 31, 2024, Yum China’s cash and cash equivalents were $723 million compared with $1.13 billion as of Dec. 31, 2023. Net inventories were $405 million compared with $424 million as of Dec. 31, 2023.
As part of this expanded capital returns initiative, the company aims to return $4.5 billion to its shareholders between 2024 and 2026. In 2024, it delivered a record $1.5 billion in returns.
Yum China announced that its board of directors had approved a 50% increase in the company's cash dividend, raising this to 24 cents per share. The dividend is scheduled to be paid on March 27, 2025, to its shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 6.
YUMC’s Unit Development & Other Updates
In the fourth quarter, Yum China opened 534 net new stores. As of Dec. 31, the total restaurant count reached 16,395.
Yum China’s delivery contributed approximately 39% to KFC and Pizza Hut's sales. Digital orders contributed about 90% to the total company sales.
Yum China expects the proportion of net new franchised stores to steadily rise in the coming years, reaching 40-50% for KFC and 20-30% for Pizza Hut.
2025 Outlook of YUMC
Yum China expects net new store openings to be in the range of 1,600-1,800. Management continues to predict capital expenditures to be between $700 million and $800 million.
EAT delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 24.7%, on average. The stock has surged 304.7% in the past year. The consensus estimate for EAT’s fiscal 2025 sales and EPS indicates growth of 17.2% and 92.9%, respectively, from the year-ago period’s levels.
Kura Sushi USA, Inc. (KRUS - Free Report) currently sports a Zacks Rank of 1. KRUS delivered a trailing four-quarter negative earnings surprise of 70.8%, on average. The stock has declined 29.7% in the past year.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for KRUS’ 2025 sales and EPS indicates a rise of 18.3% and 237.5%, respectively, from the year-ago period’s levels.
Potbelly Corporation (PBPB - Free Report) currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). PBPB delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 67.5%, on average. The stock has gained 4.1% in the past year.
The consensus estimate for PBPB’s 2025 sales and EPS indicates growth of 4.3% and 12.5%, respectively, from the year-ago period’s levels.
See More Zacks Research for These Tickers
Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:
Image: Bigstock
Yum China Beats Q4 Earnings Estimates, Hikes Dividend, Stock Up
Yum China Holdings, Inc. (YUMC - Free Report) reported fourth-quarter 2024 results, with earnings beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate but revenues missing the same. Both top and bottom lines increased on a year-over-year basis.
Stay up-to-date with all quarterly releases: See Zacks Earnings Calendar.
Following the results, shares of the company gained 9.1% during trading hours yesterday. Positive investor sentiments were witnessed as the company increased dividends by 50% and showed margin improvement in fourth-quarter 2024.
YUMC’s Q4 Earnings & Revenue Discussion
Yum China reported adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of 30 cents, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 29 cents by 3.5%. The bottom line moved up 20% year over year.
Yum China Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Yum China price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Yum China Quote
Total revenues of $2,595 million missed the consensus mark of $2,638 million. However, the top line increased 4% on a year-over-year basis. Excluding foreign currency translation, revenues increased 4% year over year.
Total system sales (excluding foreign currency translation) increased 4% year over year. This upside was attributable to the net new unit contribution of 5%. System sales at KFC and Pizza Hut increased 5% and 3% (excluding foreign currency translation), respectively, year over year.
During the quarter, YUMC's same-store sales reached 99% of the previous year's level and same-store transactions grew 4% on a year-over-year basis.
Operating Highlights of YUMC
During the fourth quarter, total costs and expenses amounted to $2.44 billion compared with $2.38 billion reported in the prior-year quarter. We expected the metric at $2.51 billion.
The restaurant margin was 12.3%, up 160 basis points year over year. We estimated the metric at 12.2%.
Adjusted operating profit totaled $151 million compared with $116 million a year ago. Our estimate for the metric was $159.7 million.
Adjusted net income amounted to $115 million compared with $103 million reported in the prior-year quarter. Our estimate for the metric was $114.1 million.
YUMC’s Balance Sheet
As of Dec. 31, 2024, Yum China’s cash and cash equivalents were $723 million compared with $1.13 billion as of Dec. 31, 2023. Net inventories were $405 million compared with $424 million as of Dec. 31, 2023.
As part of this expanded capital returns initiative, the company aims to return $4.5 billion to its shareholders between 2024 and 2026. In 2024, it delivered a record $1.5 billion in returns.
Yum China announced that its board of directors had approved a 50% increase in the company's cash dividend, raising this to 24 cents per share. The dividend is scheduled to be paid on March 27, 2025, to its shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 6.
YUMC’s Unit Development & Other Updates
In the fourth quarter, Yum China opened 534 net new stores. As of Dec. 31, the total restaurant count reached 16,395.
Yum China’s delivery contributed approximately 39% to KFC and Pizza Hut's sales. Digital orders contributed about 90% to the total company sales.
Yum China expects the proportion of net new franchised stores to steadily rise in the coming years, reaching 40-50% for KFC and 20-30% for Pizza Hut.
2025 Outlook of YUMC
Yum China expects net new store openings to be in the range of 1,600-1,800. Management continues to predict capital expenditures to be between $700 million and $800 million.
YUMC’s Zacks Rank
Yum China currently has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).
Key Picks
Some better-ranked stocks in the Zacks Retail–Restaurants industry are:
Brinker International, Inc. (EAT - Free Report) presently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
EAT delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 24.7%, on average. The stock has surged 304.7% in the past year. The consensus estimate for EAT’s fiscal 2025 sales and EPS indicates growth of 17.2% and 92.9%, respectively, from the year-ago period’s levels.
Kura Sushi USA, Inc. (KRUS - Free Report) currently sports a Zacks Rank of 1. KRUS delivered a trailing four-quarter negative earnings surprise of 70.8%, on average. The stock has declined 29.7% in the past year.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for KRUS’ 2025 sales and EPS indicates a rise of 18.3% and 237.5%, respectively, from the year-ago period’s levels.
Potbelly Corporation (PBPB - Free Report) currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). PBPB delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 67.5%, on average. The stock has gained 4.1% in the past year.
The consensus estimate for PBPB’s 2025 sales and EPS indicates growth of 4.3% and 12.5%, respectively, from the year-ago period’s levels.