Yum China to Repurchase Approximately $460 Million in Shares
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Source: PRnewswire
Updated: 1 hour ago0mins
- Initiation of Buyback Plan: Yum China announced a share repurchase of approximately $460 million in the first half of 2026, including $350 million in the U.S., demonstrating the company's strong commitment to shareholder returns.
- Capital Return Strategy: This buyback is part of a broader plan to return $1.5 billion to shareholders in 2026, expected to represent about 9% of market capitalization, aimed at boosting investor confidence and enhancing shareholder value.
- Future Outlook: The company anticipates repurchasing between $900 million and $1 billion annually in 2027 and 2028, further increasing dividends per share, indicating a balance between sustained growth and capital returns.
- Historical Return Record: Since 2017, Yum China has returned $5.8 billion to shareholders through dividends and repurchases, highlighting its strong cash flow and long-term commitment to shareholders.
YUM.N
$0.0000%Past 6 months
Line
|
Candle
1D
5D
1M
3M
6M
YTD
1Y
5Y
No Data
Powered By
Intellectia
Analyst Views on YUM
Wall Street analysts forecast YUM stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for YUM is 164.33 USD with a low forecast of 155.00 USD and a high forecast of 180.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
17 Analyst Rating
6 Buy
11 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 143.890
Low
155.00
Averages
164.33
High
180.00
Current: 143.890
Low
155.00
Averages
164.33
High
180.00
Stifel
Chris O'Cull
Hold
maintain
$148 -> $160
2025-11-17
Reason
Stifel
Chris O'Cull
Price Target
$148 -> $160
2025-11-17
maintain
Hold
Reason
Stifel analyst Chris O'Cull raised the firm's price target on Yum! Brands to $160 from $148 and keeps a Hold rating on the shares following the company's 10-Q filing. The firm's projections incorporate the acquisition of 128 Taco Bell units in Q4, as well as continued SRS momentum at TB based on our review of mobile location data. The benefit was offset primarily by higher G&A and interest expense, Stifel adds.
TD Cowen
Andrew Charles
Hold
to
Buy
upgrade
$162 -> $173
2025-11-17
Reason
TD Cowen
Andrew Charles
Price Target
$162 -> $173
2025-11-17
upgrade
Hold
to
Buy
Reason
TD Cowen analyst Andrew Charles upgraded Yum! Brands to Buy from Hold with a price target of $173, up from $162. The firm sees the likely sale of Pizza Hut amplifying Yum's growth profile. The sale should drive "best in-class" development growth profile within the quick service sector and a clearer focus on Taco Bell comps, which TD models above consensus in 2026 and beyond, the analyst tells investors in a research note. TD sees a favorable risk/reward at current share levels, saying the worst of net restaurant development headwinds are now behind the Yum brand.
BMO Capital
Andrew Strelzik
Market Perform
maintain
$150 -> $155
2025-11-05
Reason
BMO Capital
Andrew Strelzik
Price Target
$150 -> $155
2025-11-05
maintain
Market Perform
Reason
BMO Capital analyst Andrew Strelzik raised the firm's price target on Yum! Brands to $155 from $150 and keeps a Market Perform rating on the shares. The company's Q3 earnings topped consensus, reflecting stronger comps and favorable G&A/taxes, the analyst tells investors in a research note. Yum's core profit drivers - Taco Bell and KFC International - remain well-positioned amid macro headwinds, and the Pizza Hut sale would be a strategic positive, the firm added.
Goldman Sachs
Buy
maintain
$167 -> $177
2025-11-05
Reason
Goldman Sachs
Price Target
$167 -> $177
2025-11-05
maintain
Buy
Reason
Goldman Sachs raised the firm's price target on Yum! Brands to $177 from $167 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares. Goldman Sachs continues to be encouraged by market share gains at Taco Bell US, with the brand executing and winning on value and menu innovation, as well as continued digital growth across brands as the company executes on the expansion of its Byte by Yum platform, the analyst tells investors in a research note. The firm sees further growth stemming from the momentum at KFC US, as well as the continued unit growth strength and white space opportunity for KFC international.
See All Ratings
About YUM
YUM! Brands, Inc. and its subsidiaries franchise or operate a system of approximately 61,000 restaurants in 155 countries and territories under the concepts of KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and The Habit Burger Grill. It consists of four operating segments: The KFC Division, which includes its worldwide operations of the KFC concept; The Taco Bell Division, which includes its worldwide operations of the Taco Bell concept; The Pizza Hut Division, which includes its worldwide operations of the Pizza Hut concept; and The Habit Burger Grill Division, which includes its worldwide operations of the Habit Burger Grill concept. It develops, operates, or franchises a system of both traditional and non-traditional restaurants. KFC restaurants offer fried and non-fried chicken products. Taco Bell offers Mexican-style food products. Pizza Hut specializes in the sale of ready-to-eat pizza products. The Habit Burger Grill offers chargrilled burgers and sandwiches made-to-order over an open flame.
About the author
Preview
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Sigh Up to Get Intellectia Insights
What is included in Pizza Hut's Triple Treat Box for the holidays?
Why is Pizza Hut launching a holiday onesie for National Ugly Sweater Day?
How might the reintroduction of the Triple Treat Box impact Pizza Hut's sales?
Will YUM's stock recover from its recent dip below the moving average?