FY2026 EPS Estimates for Yum China Increased by Analyst

Yum China (NYSE:YUMC) – Equities research analysts at Zacks Research lifted their FY2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Yum China in a report issued on Wednesday, February 18th. Zacks Research analyst Team now anticipates that the company will post earnings of $2.91 per share for the year, up from their previous estimate of $2.87. The consensus estimate for Yum China’s current full-year earnings is $2.54 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Yum China’s Q4 2026 earnings at $0.45 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $0.97 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $1.08 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $0.55 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $3.41 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $3.97 EPS.

Yum China (NYSE:YUMC) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 4th. The company reported $0.40 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.35 by $0.05. Yum China had a return on equity of 14.46% and a net margin of 7.87%.The company had revenue of $2.82 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.72 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.30 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 8.8% compared to the same quarter last year.

Other research analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a “buy” rating and set a $58.50 target price on shares of Yum China in a research report on Wednesday, February 4th. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $63.64 price objective on shares of Yum China in a research note on Thursday, February 5th. Wall Street Zen raised Yum China from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, February 7th. CLSA restated an “outperform” rating and set a $55.00 target price on shares of Yum China in a research note on Tuesday, November 25th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Yum China in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $59.05.

Yum China Price Performance

NYSE YUMC opened at $53.54 on Friday. Yum China has a 1 year low of $41.00 and a 1 year high of $58.39. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $50.25 and a 200 day simple moving average of $46.77. The company has a current ratio of 1.32, a quick ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01. The company has a market cap of $19.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.33, a P/E/G ratio of 1.54 and a beta of 0.14.

Yum China declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a share buyback plan on Friday, December 12th that authorizes the company to buyback $1.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the company to repurchase up to 5.8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are typically an indication that the company’s board believes its shares are undervalued.

Yum China Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 25th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 4th will be given a dividend of $0.29 per share. This is an increase from Yum China’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.24. This represents a $1.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 4th. Yum China’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 38.25%.

Insider Activity at Yum China

In related news, insider Jerry Ding sold 3,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $55.14, for a total value of $165,420.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 915 shares in the company, valued at approximately $50,453.10. This represents a 76.63% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Duoduo (Howard) Huang sold 4,888 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, November 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $48.10, for a total value of $235,112.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 22,510 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,082,731. This trade represents a 17.84% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold a total of 124,688 shares of company stock worth $6,797,508 in the last three months. Corporate insiders own 0.40% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Yum China

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Jackson Grant Investment Advisers Inc. boosted its position in shares of Yum China by 526.3% during the 3rd quarter. Jackson Grant Investment Advisers Inc. now owns 595 shares of the company’s stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 500 shares in the last quarter. Duncker Streett & Co. Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Yum China in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Elyxium Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of Yum China in the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Quent Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Yum China in the 3rd quarter valued at $28,000. Finally, Cresta Advisors Ltd. bought a new stake in Yum China in the fourth quarter valued at $28,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.58% of the company’s stock.

Key Yum China News

Here are the key news stories impacting Yum China this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research raised several near‑ and medium‑term EPS forecasts (including FY2026, FY2027 and FY2028 and multiple quarterly tweaks), lifting FY2027/28 outlook and signaling stronger earnings power ahead; that supports a longer‑term growth thesis. Zacks/MarketBeat research roundup
• Positive Sentiment: Recent reported quarter beat consensus on both EPS and revenue (reported in early Feb), showing revenue growth and margin resilience despite competitive pressure — a fundamental positive for earnings momentum. Y! Finance: Beats Estimates
• Neutral Sentiment: Yahoo Finance ran a restaurant‑stock roundup (“1 Restaurant Stock to Own for Decades and 2 We Turn Down”) that revisits sector positioning — coverage can influence sentiment/flows but didn’t introduce company‑specific catalyst beyond reiterating industry risks and long‑term winners. Y! Finance: Restaurant roundup
• Negative Sentiment: Insider sale: CEO Joey Wat sold 104,000 shares, a transaction that often spooks short‑term holders even if the sale is routine for diversification/tax reasons — contributed to intraday selling pressure. American Banking News: Insider sale

Yum China Company Profile

Yum China Holdings, Inc operates as the largest quick-service restaurant company in China, through its ownership and franchising of brands such as KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell. The company’s core business encompasses full-service and fast‐casual dining, takeout and delivery channels, as well as ancillary services including loyalty programs and digital ordering platforms. Yum China’s restaurants offer a diverse menu that adapts global brand concepts to local consumer preferences, featuring items such as soy‐marinated chicken, customized pizzas and region‐inspired side dishes.

In addition to its signature brands, Yum China has expanded its portfolio to include innovative concepts tailored to evolving market trends, such as plant‐based offerings, self‐service kiosks and mobile app integrations.