Yum Brands (NYSE:YUM) Stock

YUM! BRANDS INC

Yum Brands

Yum Brands is a US-based restaurant operator featuring a portfolio of four brands: KFC (31,981 global units at year-end 2024), Pizza Hut (20,225 units), Taco Bell (8,757 units), and Habit Burger & Grill (nearly 400 units). With more than $65 billion in 2024 systemwide sales, the firm is the second-largest restaurant company in the world behind McDonald's ($131 billion), ahead of Restaurant Brands International ($44 billion) and Starbucks ($30 billion). Yum is 98% franchised, with the largest franchisee, Yum China, spun out in 2016, after which Yum China agreed to pay 3% royalties to Yum Brands in perpetuity. Yum is the newest evolution of Tricon, formerly a division of PepsiCo, and generates the bulk of its revenue from franchise royalties and marketing contributions.

Yum Brands Inc

Yuma Energy Inc

Yum China Holdings Inc

YUMY CANDY CO INC by The Yumy Candy Company Inc.

The Yumy Candy Co Inc

Yummies Inc

YUMMY

Demae-Can Co Ltd

VanEck Vectors ETF Trust ETF Trust VanEck Future of Food ETF

The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/s-p-500">S&amp;P 500 had</a> a rough start to 2025, sinking 6.53% over the first quarter, but not every sector suffered the same fate. 
While energy stocks lit up the leaderboard with a scorching 9.31% gain, consumer discretionary and technology stocks took a beating, plunging 14.23% and 13.1%, respectively.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Energy's Power Play</h2>
Oil and gas stocks came out swinging, with Hess Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HES#NYSE">HES</a>) leading the charge, soaring 21.34% over the past three months. EQT Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EQT#NYSE">EQT</a>) followed closely, rising 19.61%, while Devon Energy Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DVN#NYSE">DVN</a>) and Coterra Energy (CTRA) also <a href="https://www.sectorspdrs.com/sectortracker">posted</a> double-digit gains. 
The biggest energy players, Chevron Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVX#NYSE">CVX</a>) and Exxon Mobil Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XOM#NYSE">XOM</a>), delivered solid performances as well, gaining 15.34% and 10.57%, respectively.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/03/44512999/chevron-hits-52-week-high-warren-buffetts-5th-largest-holding-is-on-fire-but-should-you-buy">Chevron Hits 52-Week High – Warren Buffett&#8217;s 5th Largest Holding Is on Fire, But Should You Buy?</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Consumer Discretionary's Divide</h2>
It was a brutal quarter for consumer discretionary, but not all stocks in the sector were drowning. Auto parts retailers proved surprisingly resilient, with O'Reilly Automotive Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ORLY#NASDAQ">ORLY</a>) accelerating 17.64% and AutoZone Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AZO#NYSE">AZO</a>) climbing 16.33%. Yum! Brands Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YUM#NYSE">YUM</a>), the parent company of Taco Bell and KFC, also managed a 15.18% gain, proving that fast food remains a winning bet even in choppy markets.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tech's Tough Quarter—But Some Shined</h2>
Tech stocks had a miserable run, but a few managed to buck the trend. VeriSign Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VRSN#NASDAQ">VRSN</a>) surged 23.03%, leading the charge, while Intel Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>) and Roper Technologies Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ROP#NASDAQ">ROP</a>) gained 11.87% and 11.21%, respectively. IBM (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBM#NYSE">IBM</a>) also posted a solid 9.53% gain, and Palantir Technologies Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>) continued its momentum, adding 8.56%.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What's Next?</h2>
With the second quarter underway, investors will be watching if Energy can keep its momentum or if beaten-down sectors like Tech and Consumer Discretionary stage a comeback. 
For now, it&#8217;s clear: Energy stocks ruled the first quarter, while Tech and Discretionary stocks got left in the dust.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44533263/top-3-information-technology-stocks-that-could-blast-off-this-month">Top 3 Information Technology Stocks That Could Blast Off This Month</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Long Ideas

Tech

CTRA

INTC

ORLY

PLTR

VRSN

Chevron, Exxon, Hess Lead As Tech Giants Stumble In Q1 2025

TD Securities analyst Andrew Charles reiterates Yum Brands (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YUM#NYSE">YUM</a>) with a Hold and maintains $164 price target.

News

Price Target

Reiteration

Analyst Ratings

TD Securities Reiterates Hold on Yum Brands, Maintains $164 Price Target

The Board has established a succession planning committee and will work deliberately to identify and appoint the best candidate to lead the company's next chapter.&nbsp;

Management

Yum! Brands CEO David Gibbs Informs Board Of His Intention To Retire From Company In 2026

Last week, J.P. Morgan analyst John Ivankoe hosted Bloomin&#8217; Brands Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BLMN#NASDAQ">BLMN</a>), CAVA Group Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CAVA#NYSE">CAVA</a>), Brinker International Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EAT#NYSE">EAT</a>), and Sweetgreen Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SG#NYSE">SG</a>) at the J.P. Morgan Las Vegas forum.
The analyst noted that the key takeaway from all four companies was the focus on doing &#8220;fewer things better&#8221; and consistently reinvesting in customer and employee experiences.
According to the analyst, stock volatility has created opportunities, with the current 10-year yield of 4.3% helping global QSR valuations, easing fears of a 5-6% yield.
The analyst recommended adding fresh investments in Dutch Bros Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BROS#NYSE">BROS</a>), Starbucks Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SBUX#NASDAQ">SBUX</a>), and CAVA.
While McDonald&#8217;s Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCD#NYSE">MCD</a>) and Restaurant Brands International Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QSR#NYSE">QSR</a>) are fairly valued, slower U.S. data and international growth may present better buying opportunities, per the analyst.
Yum! Brands Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YUM#NYSE">YUM</a>) exceeded expectations, benefiting from tech-fee recapture. Domino&#8217;s Pizza Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DPZ#NASDAQ">DPZ</a>) is fairly valued due to high expectations. It remains uncertain if the Middle East conflict&#8217;s impact will drive sustained sales growth or just a leveling out.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44420034/d-waves-new-blockchain-architecture-could-slash-energy-usage-by-1000x" rel="noreferrer noopener">D-Wave Unveils New Blockchain Architecture To Slash Energy Usage</a>
The analyst upgraded the shares of CAVA to Overweight. CAVA has significant potential for expansion in the U.S., with impressive free cash flow generation and a strong pipeline of operational and brand initiatives to drive sales and profits.
The analyst reiterated a Neutral rating on Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMG#NYSE">CMG</a>) and EAT due to high valuations and peak comps, but remain cautiously optimistic and would consider adding on volatility.
Overweight-rated SG and Krispy Kreme Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DNUT#NASDAQ">DNUT</a>) face sales and profit challenges, with SG offering near-term potential through seasonal menus and loyalty programs.
Following YUM&#8217;s Taco Bell analyst day on March 4, which highlighted the &#8220;Byte by YUM!&#8221; platform and improving KFC international trends, the analyst conducted a full model review and a valuation reset.
Projections include Taco Bell U.S. growing to 9,000 units by 2030 and Taco Bell International expanding to 2,000 units. The analyst assumes KFC international (excluding China) will increase to 22,300 units, while KFC China will reach 19,400.
Compared to previous expectations, only BROS, DPZ, and Taco Bell (YUM) are performing ahead, while high-growth brands like CAVA, SG, Chili&#8217;s, and SBUX are on track.
Larger QSR brands like MCD, BK (QSR), KFC/PH (YUM), and fast-casual chains such as CMG and Shake Shack Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHAK#NYSE">SHAK</a>) are underperforming. Casual dining brands like Darden Restaurants Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DRI#NYSE">DRI</a>) (Olive Garden), Texas Roadhouse Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TXRH#NASDAQ">TXRH</a>) (Roadhouse), and BLMN (Outback) are also tracking lower.
The U.S. restaurant labor market remains stable, with open positions at 6.2% of total employment, close to the 20-year average of 4.4%. The quits rate stands at 3.8%, near the historical average of 4.0%.
Consumer confidence has declined, with a focus on the &#8220;expectations&#8221; component, as cautious consumers become more selective in discretionary spending.
Large QSR brands, like MCD and DPZ, report weaker performance among low-income consumers. In contrast, high-growth brands like CAVA are seeing strong growth in the lowest income quartiles, suggesting a shift toward QSR trade-ups and growing brand awareness.
According to the analyst, sourcing talent and retention remain key to building strong brands and scaling operations, mainly during the rapid adoption of in/out-of-store tech.
Total industry supply growth has remained surprisingly resilient, up 12% from third-quarter FY18 to third-quarter FY24 for a CAGR of ~2%, opined the analyst.
So much attention is placed on future AI driven opportunities, but the reality is 40% of the industry sales are from the top 500 chains with a very large addressable market of another 60% are considered to be independents, the analyst noted.
Tariffs are less of an issue for this sector than other industries but related inflation could impact several daily consumer staple commodities including avocados, seasonal produce/fruit and coffee, said the analyst.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/25/03/44359600/hyperfine-nvidia-partner-to-make-brain-mris-more-affordable" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hyperfine, Nvidia Partner To Make Brain MRIs More Affordable</a></li>
</ul>
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Analyst Color

Upgrades

Trading Ideas

General

BLMN

BROS

CAVA

DNUT

SBUX

SHAK

TXRH

Is Tariff An Issue For Restaurant Sector? J.P. Morgan Highlights Winners & Losers

The recent volatility in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/restaurants">restaurant chain stocks </a>has provided "some opportunities," according to JPMorgan.
While consumer confidence data has dipped, resulting in consumers becoming more careful in their discretionary spending, total industry supply growth has remained "surprisingly resilient, up 12% from 3Q18 to 3Q24 for a CAGR of ~2%," <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst/587e33185064ed0001730304/john-ivankoe">analyst John Ivankoe</a> said in the note.
CAVA Group
Ivankoe upgraded the rating for CAVA Group Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CAVA#NYSE">CAVA</a>) from Neutral to Overweight, while establishing a price target of $110.
CAVA Group has "significant U.S. white space for expansion from its already multi-market success," the analyst said in the note. The company is generating free cash flows "unusually early" and has near-term initiatives in place to drive sales and profits, he added.
Ivankoe recommended a "buy now and own for the long-term" approach for the stock, as the company's current 367 units are expanding beyond 1,000 units.
Check out <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings">other analyst stock ratings</a>.
Yum! Brands
The analyst maintained a Neutral rating for Yum! Brands Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YUM#NYSE">YUM</a>), while raising the price target from $138 to $160.
The stock rose around 10% after the company announced better-than-expected results and its "tech-fee recapture is now appreciated by broad market," the analyst wrote. Each $100 million of tech-fee recapture is worth around 28 cents per share, as the company aims at easing operations for franchisees, he added.
Taco Bell US is likely to grow from 7,604 units to 9,000 by 2030, while Taco Bell International could grow from 1,153 to 2,000, Ivankoe said. "We assume KFC international (ex-China) grows from 16,664 to 22,300 units and KFC China from 11,648 to 19,400 units," he stated.
CAVA, YUM Price Action: Shares of CAVA Group had jumped 5.27% to $85.27, while Yum! Brands had risen 0.15% to $157.25 at the time of publication on Thursday.
Read Next:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/insights/analyst-ratings/25/02/43568843/forecasting-the-future-6-analyst-projections-for-tradeweb-markets"> </a>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/insights/analyst-ratings/25/02/43568843/forecasting-the-future-6-analyst-projections-for-tradeweb-markets">Mediterranean Growth Monster: CAVA Keeps Surging—Buy the Dip?</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: lovelyday12/Shutterstock.com

Earnings

Restaurants

Movers

JPMorgan Backs CAVA's Expansion Potential As Yum! Brands Plans Major Taco Bell, KFC Growth

JP Morgan analyst John Ivankoe maintains Yum Brands (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YUM#NYSE">YUM</a>) with a Neutral and raises the price target from $138 to $160.

JP Morgan Maintains Neutral on Yum Brands, Raises Price Target to $160

On Tuesday, NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) disclosed that it is establishing the NVIDIA Accelerated Quantum Research Center (NVAQC) in Boston to drive <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/03/g44384079/nvidia-to-build-accelerated-quantum-computing-research-center" rel="noreferrer noopener">advancements in quantum computing</a>.
The center will integrate quantum hardware with AI supercomputers, enabling accelerated quantum supercomputing. NVAQC aims to tackle key challenges like qubit noise and transform experimental quantum processors into practical solutions.
Apart from this, the company announced several collaborations with industry players.
The company, along with Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) Google, unveiled new AI initiatives to expand access, accelerate development, and transform industries <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/03/g44383986/nvidia-alphabet-and-google-collaborate-on-the-future-of-agentic-and-physical-ai" rel="noreferrer noopener">like healthcare, manufacturing, and energy</a>.
Using NVIDIA Omniverse, Cosmos, and Isaac platforms, teams from Google DeepMind, Isomorphic Labs, Intrinsic, and X&#8217;s Tapestry will share key milestones at the NVIDIA GTC AI conference.
Additionally, Google Cloud will be among the first to adopt NVIDIA&#8217;s newly announced GB300 NVL72 rack-scale solution and RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell Server Edition GPU to support AI research and production.
Apart from this, NVIDIA announced a collaboration with General Motors Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GM#NYSE">GM</a>) to develop next-generation vehicles, factories, and robots powered by AI,<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/03/g44382467/general-motors-and-nvidia-collaborate-on-ai-for-next-generation-vehicle-experience-and-manufacturi" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> simulation, and accelerated computing</a>.
Related Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44389027" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tesla Takes Another Hit With Nvidia, GM Self-Driving Partnership</a>
Also, NVIDIA partnered with GE HealthCare Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GEHC#NASDAQ">GEHC</a>) to drive innovation in autonomous medical imaging, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/03/g44384002/nvidia-and-ge-healthcare-collaborate-to-advance-the-development-of-autonomous-diagnostic-imaging-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">focusing on X-ray and ultrasound technologies</a>.
By integrating AI, these systems will enhance automation in patient positioning, image scanning, and quality assessment, streamlining complex workflows in healthcare.
Additionally, NVIDIA disclosed a collaboration with International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBM#NYSE">IBM</a>) <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/03/n44384548/ibm-taps-nvidia-ai-data-platform-technologies-to-accelerate-ai-at-scale" rel="noreferrer noopener">to enhance enterprise AI capabilities</a>.
IBM plans to integrate the NVIDIA AI Data Platform reference design to optimize generative AI workloads.
The company&#8217;s initiatives include content-aware storage for IBM Fusion, expanded watsonx integrations, and new IBM Consulting services with NVIDIA to accelerate AI innovation.
Also, CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRWD#NASDAQ">CRWD</a>) announced new AI-driven cybersecurity innovations using NVIDIA AI software, doubling detection triage speed while <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/03/b44384579/crowdstrike-collaborates-with-nvidia-to-advance-agentic-ai-in-cybersecurity-pioneer-testing-of-nvi" rel="noreferrer noopener">cutting compute resource usage by 50%</a>.
This collaboration enhances automation, real-time decision-making, and precision, setting a new standard for AI-powered security.
Meanwhile, KFC parent Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YUM#NYSE">YUM</a>) partnered with NVIDIA to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/03/b44384739/yum-brands-to-accelerate-ai-innovation-in-an-industry-first-collaboration-with-nvidia" rel="noreferrer noopener">revolutionize AI in the restaurant industry</a>.
As NVIDIA&#8217;s first AI restaurant partner, Yum! will leverage cutting-edge AI technologies across its 61,000+ locations worldwide.
Additionally, NVIDIA revealed partnerships with T-Mobile, MITRE, Cisco, ODC (a Cerberus Capital Management portfolio company), and Booz Allen Hamilton to advance the research and development of AI-native wireless <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/03/g44382462/nvidia-and-telecom-industry-leaders-to-develop-ai-native-wireless-networks-for-6g" rel="noreferrer noopener">network hardware, software, and architecture for 6G</a>.
Investors can gain exposure to the stock via&nbsp;GraniteShares 2x Short NVDA Daily ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVD#NASDAQ">NVD</a>) and EA Series Trust Strive U.S. Semiconductor ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHOC#NYSE">SHOC</a>).
Price Action: NVDA shares are up 1.45% at $117.10 premarket at the last check Wednesday.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/03/44390580/nvidia-just-unveiled-a-humanoid-ai-brain-which-allows-robots-to-think-slow-jensen-huang-says-this-could-very-well-likely-be-the-largest-industry-of-all" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nvidia Just Unveiled A Humanoid AI Brain Which Allows Robots To Think Slow — Jensen Huang Says, &#8216;This Could Very Well Likely Be The Largest Industry Of All&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Image via Shutterstock.

Equities

Large Cap

Contracts

CRWD

GEHC

GOOG

NVDA

EA Series Trust Strive U.S. Semiconductor ETF

SHOC

NVIDIA Teams Up with GE, Google, IBM, And CrowdStrike To Redefine AI And Quantum Technology

Yum! Brands, a restaurant company with over 61,000 locations, is NVIDIA's first AI restaurant partner.
Yum! Brands has already begun piloting multiple AI solutions in select Taco Bell and Pizza Hut locations in the United States using NVIDIA technology.
Following a successful pilot, a broader rollout of this technology targeting 500 restaurants across Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, KFC and Habit Burger is planned for the second quarter of this year.&nbsp;

Yum! Brands Partners With NVIDIA To Accelerate Development Of AI Technologies For Its Restaurants

NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) will likely be one of the top stocks to watch next week. The company's annual GTC conference, often referred to as the Global AI Conference, will take place, and CEO Jensen Huang will once again provide<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/03/37803088/nvidia-gtc-2024-ceo-huang-highlights-the-past-present-and-future-of-ai-a-new-industry-has-emerged"> a keynote speech.</a>
What Happened: The GTC Conference runs March 17 through March 21, with Huang's keynote coming on March 18 at 1 p.m. ET. The event could serve as <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/02/44015322/nvidia-analyst-sees-significant-upside-for-stock-with-favorable-riskreward">the next catalyst</a> for the stock, which has fallen in recent months.
Nvidia's AI conference will give the company a chance to highlight new and upcoming products, give updates on demand for items like the Blackwell chips and showcase future monetization opportunities like robotics and automotives.
Nvidia said Huang's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_waPvOwL9Z8">keynote </a>and the event will provide a "glimpse into the future of AI infrastructure, scientific computing, AI and robotics."
"AI is pushing the limits of what's possible — turning yesterday's dreams into today's reality," Huang <a href="https://nvidianews.nvidia.com/news/nvidia-ceo-jensen-huang-and-industry-visionaries-to-unveil-whats-next-in-ai-at-gtc-2025">said</a>. "GTC brings together the brightest scientists, engineers, developers and creators to imagine and build a better future. Come and be first to see the new advances in NVIDIA computing and breakthroughs in AI, robotics, science and the arts that will transform industries and society."
A preview of GTC from <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2025/03/12/nvidia-gtc-2025-what-to-expect-from-this-years-show/">TechCrunch </a>said the expectation is Nvidia shows off an upgraded lineup of the Blackwell chip, like the Blackwell B300 series, codenamed Blackwell Ultra. The chip is slated for a release in the second half of 2025.
The preview also said Nvidia could showcase Rubin, the company's next-gen GPU series, which will be released in 2026.
Huang said on a recent Nvidia earnings call that he would talk about post-Rubin products at GTC, which could mean additional product showcases as the company looks toward 2026 and beyond.
Nvidia will also likely showcase its role in quantum computing. The company will host its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/43001201/nvidia-announces-first-ever-quantum-day-at-gtc-2025-days-after-jensen-huang-said-quantum-computing-is-20-years-away" target="_blank" rel="noopener">first-ever</a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/43001201/nvidia-announces-first-ever-quantum-day-at-gtc-2025-days-after-jensen-huang-said-quantum-computing-is-20-years-away"> quantum day </a>at GTC, which will feature executives from several leading companies in the sector.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/03/44309316/dow-curse-strikes-again-nvidias-stock-performance-since-joining-the-index">Dow Curse Strikes Again: Nvidia&#8217;s Stock Performance Since Joining The Index</a>
Why It's Important: Keynotes from Huang and product unveilings have proven to be major catalysts for Nvidia and its stock.
Huang gave a keynote at this year's CES earlier in January. Huang's speech happened after market hours on Jan. 6. Nvidia stock opened at $152.03 on Jan. 7 and hit the all-time high of $153.13 during that day.
Investor optimism in the stock may have peaked around the keynote and product announcements at the event as shares have fallen since then.
With Nvidia stock currently down year-to-date, Huang's GTC keynote could serve as a pivotal moment to create optimism in the company's chips and AI business once again along with some potential new products and catalysts that haven't been factored into the stock.
Other Companies to Watch: Over 25,000 people are expected to attend GTC 2025, which will have over 1,000 sessions and more than 2,000 speakers.
Last year's GTC event provided a boost to several public companies who were mentioned as Nvidia partners by the company.
A current speaker lineup also shows that several public companies will have speakers at the conference, which could make their stocks worth watching for investors as AI continues to be a catalyst watched by analysts and investors.
Here are some of the public companies that have <a href="https://www.nvidia.com/gtc/speakers/">speakers </a>at GTC 2025:
<ul>
<li>Rivian Automotive (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RIVN#NASDAQ">RIVN</a>)</li>
<li>Yum! Brands (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YUM#NYSE">YUM</a>)</li>
<li>Mastercard Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MA#NYSE">MA</a>)</li>
<li>Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>)</li>
<li>Lowe's Companies (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LOW#NYSE">LOW</a>)</li>
<li>PepsiCo (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PEP#NASDAQ">PEP</a>)</li>
<li>Salesforce Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRM#NYSE">CRM</a>)</li>
<li>Coca-Cola Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KO#NYSE">KO</a>)</li>
<li>Ford Motor Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/F#NYSE">F</a>)</li>
<li>Illumina Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ILMN#NASDAQ">ILMN</a>)</li>
<li>Equinix Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EQIX#NASDAQ">EQIX</a>)</li>
<li>ServiceNow Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOW#NYSE">NOW</a>)</li>
<li>AT&amp;T Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/T#NYSE">T</a>)</li>
<li>The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIS#NYSE">DIS</a>)</li>
</ul>
While many companies are represented by AI sector executives or chief technology officers, Rivian stands out with its CEO and founder, RJ Scaringe, speaking at the event.
Nvidia's Quantum Day on March 20 could also serve as a catalyst for the overall quantum computing sector and provide a boost for companies speaking, which <a href="https://www.nvidia.com/gtc/sessions/quantum-day/#:~:text=NVIDIA%20founder%20and%20CEO%20Jensen,holds%20for%20useful%20quantum%20computing.">include</a>:
<ul>
<li>D-Wave Quantum (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QBTS#NYSE">QBTS</a>)</li>
<li>IonQ Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IONQ#NYSE">IONQ</a>)</li>
<li>Rigetti Computing (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RGTI#NASDAQ">RGTI</a>)</li>
<li>Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>)</li>
<li>Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>)</li>
</ul>
While there is no guarantee that any company or stock will be as impacted as Nvidia by GTC 2025, investors should know the companies present at the event and be prepared for potential catalysts and press releases related to the event.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/41888032/nvidia-ceo-jensen-huang-said-nvidia-has-no-long-term-strategy-how-this-philosophy-is-similar-to-his-reason-to-not-wear-a-watch">Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Doesn&#8217;t Wear A Watch After A Gardner Taught Him The Secret Of Time</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: jamesonwu1972/Shutterstock.com

AMZN

EQIX

ILMN

IONQ

MSFT

QBTS

RGTI

RIVN

Nvidia Stock Reached All-Time Highs After Jensen Huang's CES Keynote — Will Next Week's GTC Spark Another Surge?

This whale alert can help traders discover the next big trading opportunities.
Whales are entities with large sums of money and we track their transactions here at Benzinga on our options activity scanner.
Traders will search for circumstances when the market estimation of an option diverges heavily from its normal worth. High amounts of trading activity could push option prices to exaggerated or underestimated levels. 
Here's the list of options activity happening in today's session: 
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>TSLA</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/14/25</td>
<td>$245.00</td>
<td>$44.1K</td>
<td>8.0K</td>
<td>27.9K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AMZN</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$190.00</td>
<td>$38.8K</td>
<td>22.4K</td>
<td>4.8K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CVNA</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/14/25</td>
<td>$160.00</td>
<td>$50.0K</td>
<td>439</td>
<td>2.2K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ANF</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>09/19/25</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
<td>$43.6K</td>
<td>292</td>
<td>543</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ULTA</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/14/25</td>
<td>$330.00</td>
<td>$33.3K</td>
<td>58</td>
<td>221</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>GRPN</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$9.50</td>
<td>$48.0K</td>
<td>28</td>
<td>203</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>YUM</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$160.00</td>
<td>$40.8K</td>
<td>226</td>
<td>141</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SHAK</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$125.00</td>
<td>$572.0K</td>
<td>149</td>
<td>130</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>GME</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>04/04/25</td>
<td>$20.00</td>
<td>$27.4K</td>
<td>85</td>
<td>112</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RH</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$215.00</td>
<td>$116.6K</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>108</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h2>Explanation</h2>
These itemized elaborations have been created using the accompanying table. 
• Regarding TSLA (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>), we observe a put option sweep with bullish sentiment. It expires in 1 day(s) on March 14, 2025. Parties traded 41 contract(s) at a $245.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 4 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $44.1K, with a price of $1080.0 per contract. There were 8084 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 27974 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For AMZN (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), we notice a put option sweep that happens to be bearish, expiring in 8 day(s) on March 21, 2025. This event was a transfer of 105 contract(s) at a $190.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 8 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $38.8K, with a price of $370.0 per contract. There were 22484 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 4830 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For CVNA (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVNA#NYSE">CVNA</a>), we notice a put option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 1 day(s) on March 14, 2025. This event was a transfer of 211 contract(s) at a $160.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 3 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $50.0K, with a price of $235.0 per contract. There were 439 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 2241 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For ANF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ANF#NYSE">ANF</a>), we notice a put option trade that happens to be bearish, expiring in 190 day(s) on September 19, 2025. This event was a transfer of 42 contract(s) at a $70.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $43.6K, with a price of $1040.0 per contract. There were 292 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 543 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For ULTA (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ULTA#NASDAQ">ULTA</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be bullish, expiring in 1 day(s) on March 14, 2025. This event was a transfer of 63 contract(s) at a $330.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $33.3K, with a price of $530.0 per contract. There were 58 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 221 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For GRPN (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GRPN#NASDAQ">GRPN</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bearish, expiring in 8 day(s) on March 21, 2025. This event was a transfer of 98 contract(s) at a $9.50 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 4 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $48.0K, with a price of $490.0 per contract. There were 28 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 203 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For YUM (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YUM#NYSE">YUM</a>), we notice a put option trade that happens to be bearish, expiring in 99 day(s) on June 20, 2025. This event was a transfer of 40 contract(s) at a $160.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $40.8K, with a price of $1020.0 per contract. There were 226 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 141 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For SHAK (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHAK#NYSE">SHAK</a>), we notice a put option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 309 day(s) on January 16, 2026. This event was a transfer of 130 contract(s) at a $125.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 6 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $572.0K, with a price of $4400.0 per contract. There were 149 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 130 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For GME (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GME#NYSE">GME</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 22 day(s) on April 4, 2025. This event was a transfer of 100 contract(s) at a $20.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 5 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $27.4K, with a price of $275.0 per contract. There were 85 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 112 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For RH (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RH#NYSE">RH</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bearish, expiring in 8 day(s) on March 21, 2025. This event was a transfer of 99 contract(s) at a $215.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 5 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $116.6K, with a price of $1170.0 per contract. There were 8 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 108 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
Options Alert Terminology 
 - Call Contracts: The right to buy shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Put Contracts: The right to sell shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Expiration Date: When the contract expires. One must act on the contract by this date if one wants to use it. 
 - Premium/Option Price: The price of the contract. 
For more information, visit our <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/blog/how-to-understand-option-alerts/">Guide to Understanding Options Alerts</a> or read <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/options">more news on unusual options activity</a>. 
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Options

CVNA

GRPN

TSLA

ULTA

10 Consumer Discretionary Stocks With Whale Alerts In Today's Session

Morgan Stanley analyst John Glass maintains Yum Brands (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YUM#NYSE">YUM</a>) with a Equal-Weight and raises the price target from $146 to $150.

Morgan Stanley Maintains Equal-Weight on Yum Brands, Raises Price Target to $150

Deep-pocketed investors have adopted a bearish approach towards Yum Brands (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YUM#NYSE">YUM</a>), and it's something market players shouldn't ignore. Our tracking of public options records at Benzinga unveiled this significant move today. The identity of these investors remains unknown, but such a substantial move in YUM usually suggests something big is about to happen.
We gleaned this information from our observations today when Benzinga's options scanner highlighted 10 extraordinary options activities for Yum Brands. This level of activity is out of the ordinary.
The general mood among these heavyweight investors is divided, with 0% leaning bullish and 60% bearish. Among these notable options, 7 are puts, totaling $231,695, and 3 are calls, amounting to $134,500.
<h3>What's The Price Target?</h3>
After evaluating the trading volumes and Open Interest, it's evident that the major market movers are focusing on a price band between $155.0 and $170.0 for Yum Brands, spanning the last three months.
<h3>Insights into Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
In terms of liquidity and interest, the mean open interest for Yum Brands options trades today is 716.75 with a total volume of 1,859.00.
In the following chart, we are able to follow the development of volume and open interest of call and put options for Yum Brands's big money trades within a strike price range of $155.0 to $170.0 over the last 30 days.
<h3>Yum Brands Option Volume And Open Interest Over Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1741635943_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Noteworthy Options Activity:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>YUM</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$11.1</td>
<td>$10.8</td>
<td>$10.9</td>
<td>$155.00</td>
<td>$49.0K</td>
<td>595</td>
<td align="right">83</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>YUM</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$3.4</td>
<td>$3.0</td>
<td>$3.2</td>
<td>$170.00</td>
<td>$45.1K</td>
<td>1.9K</td>
<td align="right">733</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>YUM</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>10/17/25</td>
<td>$10.1</td>
<td>$7.2</td>
<td>$8.71</td>
<td>$160.00</td>
<td>$43.8K</td>
<td>7</td>
<td align="right">50</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>YUM</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$11.1</td>
<td>$10.9</td>
<td>$10.9</td>
<td>$155.00</td>
<td>$40.3K</td>
<td>595</td>
<td align="right">38</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>YUM</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$7.0</td>
<td>$6.3</td>
<td>$6.65</td>
<td>$165.00</td>
<td>$33.2K</td>
<td>355</td>
<td align="right">251</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Yum Brands</h3>
Yum Brands is a US-based restaurant operator featuring a portfolio of four brands: KFC (31,981 global units at year-end 2024), Pizza Hut (20,225 units), Taco Bell (8,757 units), and Habit Burger &amp; Grill (nearly 400 units). With more than $65 billion in 2024 systemwide sales, the firm is the second-largest restaurant company in the world behind McDonald's ($131 billion), ahead of Restaurant Brands International ($44 billion) and Starbucks ($30 billion). Yum is 98% franchised, with the largest franchisee, Yum China, spun out in 2016, after which Yum China agreed to pay 3% royalties to Yum Brands in perpetuity. Yum is the newest evolution of Tricon, formerly a division of PepsiCo, and generates the bulk of its revenue from franchise royalties and marketing contributions.
After a thorough review of the options trading surrounding Yum Brands, we move to examine the company in more detail. This includes an assessment of its current market status and performance.
<h3>Current Position of Yum Brands</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a trading volume of 1,766,194, the price of YUM is down by -2.97%, reaching $157.71.</li>
<li>Current RSI values indicate that the stock is may be approaching overbought.</li>
<li>Next earnings report is scheduled for 51 days from now.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Expert Opinions on Yum Brands</h3>
Over the past month, 4 industry analysts have shared their insights on this stock, proposing an average target price of $162.0.
Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move
Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=Be8be9arja3be22bz20&amp;adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=options-activity&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Wells Fargo keeps a Equal-Weight rating on Yum Brands with a target price of $160. 
&#x2A; An analyst from TD Securities persists with their Hold rating on Yum Brands, maintaining a target price of $164. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Stifel keeps a Hold rating on Yum Brands with a target price of $148. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Baird has decided to maintain their Outperform rating on Yum Brands, which currently sits at a price target of $176. 
Options are a riskier asset compared to just trading the stock, but they have higher profit potential. Serious options traders manage this risk by educating themselves daily, scaling in and out of trades, following more than one indicator, and following the markets closely.
If you want to stay updated on the latest options trades for Yum Brands, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a> gives you real-time options trades alerts.

Markets

A Closer Look at Yum Brands's Options Market Dynamics

Chick-fil-A's well-known policy of closing on Sundays—a decision rooted in its founder's Christian values—continues to have a significant impact on the fast-food industry. While the brand remains one of the most successful chicken chains in the U.S., its weekly closure creates a vacuum that <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/fast-food-stocks">competitors are eager to fill.</a>
What To Know: According to data from Veraset, a location data provider, over a quarter (27.4%) of Chick-fil-A's weekday customers in Atlanta, the chain&#8217;s most popular hub, turn to local eateries when the chain is closed. However, major publicly traded <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/fast-food-restaurants">fast-food brands</a> also benefit from the Sunday void.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44149983/feds-beige-book-shows-slight-growth-consumer-spending-decreased">Fed&#8217;s Beige Book Shows Slight Growth: Consumer Spending Slips As Prices Rise</a>
McDonald&#8217;s Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCD#NYSE">MCD</a>) captures 12.2% of displaced customers, while Wendy&#8217;s Co (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WEN#NASDAQ">WEN</a>) and Burger King, owned by Restaurant Brands International Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QSR#NYSE">QSR</a>), help drive a 16% shift toward burger restaurants. 
Additionally, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMG#NYSE">CMG</a>), which offers a fast-casual alternative, benefits from the 8% of Chick-fil-A customers opting for Mexican and Tex-Mex options. Meanwhile, Popeyes—another QSR brand—and KFC, a part of Yum! Brands Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YUM#NYSE">YUM</a>), see an 11.8% boost from chicken lovers looking for a substitute.
What Else: For investors, this data highlights the resilience of these brands and their ability to capitalize on consumer habits. McDonald's, Wendy's and Chipotle in particular have strong Sunday sales, benefiting from Chick-fil-A's absence. That said, the entire quick service restaurant industry in Georgia in February took a hit to foot traffic when compared with last year. Three of the four weeks showed a contraction when compared with the prior year, <a href="https://www.placer.ai/industries/quick-service#Georgia">according to</a> Placer.ai, ranging from down 6.3% in the week of February 17 to up 1.65% in the week of February 24. Georgia&#8217;s performance has only slightly outperformed the nationwide trends. 
As fast-food competition intensifies, understanding how companies position themselves to absorb these customer shifts could be crucial for evaluating stock performance.
Despite its Sunday closures, Chick-fil-A remains dominant, but its competitors have learned how to turn the weekly day of rest into an opportunity.
Read Also:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/econ-s/25/03/44143666/us-services-sector-unexpectedly-expands-in-february-despite-slowing-job-growth" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">US Services Sector Unexpectedly Expands In February Despite Slowing Job Growth</a></li>
</ul>
Source: Veraset, February 2025 and Marketing Director of Veraset, Adam Fachler

No Chick-fil-A On Sundays? Here's Where Fast-Food Fans Flock Instead

Wells Fargo analyst Zachary Fadem maintains Yum Brands (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YUM#NYSE">YUM</a>) with a Equal-Weight and raises the price target from $145 to $160.

Wells Fargo Maintains Equal-Weight on Yum Brands, Raises Price Target to $160

Baird analyst David Tarantino maintains Yum Brands (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YUM#NYSE">YUM</a>) with a Outperform and raises the price target from $160 to $176.

Baird Maintains Outperform on Yum Brands, Raises Price Target to $176

TD Securities analyst Andrew Charles maintains Yum Brands (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YUM#NYSE">YUM</a>) with a Hold and raises the price target from $151 to $164.

TD Securities Maintains Hold on Yum Brands, Raises Price Target to $164

As of March 3, 2025, three stocks in the consumer discretionary sector could be flashing a real warning to investors who value momentum as a key criteria in their trading decisions.
The RSI is a momentum indicator, which compares a stock&#8217;s strength on days when prices go up to its strength on days when prices go down. When compared to a stock&#8217;s price action, it can give traders a better sense of how a stock may perform in the short term. An asset is typically considered overbought when the<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/rsi"> RSI is above 70</a>, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>. 
Here's the latest list of major overbought players in this sector.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Yum! Brands Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YUM#NYSE">YUM</a>)</h3>
<ul>
<li>On Feb. 6, Yum! Brands reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter adjusted EPS results. Also the company increased its quarterly dividend. David Gibbs, CEO, said &#8220;2024 was marked with exceptional core operating profit growth given the complex consumer environment. 2024 again demonstrates the resilience of our business model and the agility of our world-class teams. Our twin growth engines remain strong with Taco Bell U.S. delivering same-store sales growth of 5% in the fourth quarter, meaningfully outpacing the industry, and KFC International delivering its second consecutive year with over 2,000 net new units. Our advantaged brand position, together with our industry-leading talent, franchisees, and technology, position us for another excellent year in 2025.&#8221; The company's stock gained around 19% over the past month and has a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/YUM">52-week high of $156.56</a>.</li>
<li>RSI Value: 73.6&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>YUM Price Action: Shares of Yum! Brands gained 1.7% to close at $156.37 on Friday.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Light &amp; Wonder Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LNW#NASDAQ">LNW</a>)</h3>
<ul>
<li>On Feb. 25, Light &amp; Wonder posted better-than-expected quarterly earnings. Matt Wilson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Light &amp; Wonder, said, &#8220;We ended a strong 2024 with continued double-digit revenue and earnings growth for the year." The company's stock gained around 31% over the past month and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/LNW">has a 52-week high </a>of $115.00.</li>
<li>RSI Value: 70.7</li>
<li>LNW Price Action: Shares of Light &amp; Wonder gained 0.8% to close at $111.48 on Friday.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">ADT Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ADT#NYSE">ADT</a>)</h3>
<ul>
<li>On Feb. 27, ADT reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter financial results and issued FY25 revenue guidance above estimates. Additionally, the company approved a $500 million share buyback program. &#8220;We delivered strong 2024 results including a record-high recurring monthly revenue balance, record customer retention, and very strong cash generation. All delivered while continuing to invest in ADT&#8217;s future which includes the launch of our proprietary ADT+ platform enabling unique and differentiated customer offerings such as Trusted Neighbor. Our successful 2024 performance is a testament to the dedication of our nearly 13,000 employees and approximately 140 dealer partners who are committed to serving our customers,&#8221; said ADT Chairman, President and CEO, Jim DeVries. The company's stock gained around 11% over the past five days and has a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ADT">52-week high</a> of $8.39.</li>
<li>RSI Value: 70.4</li>
<li>ADT Price Action: Shares of ADT gained 0.9% to close at $8.19 on Friday. </li>
</ul>
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Stifel analyst Chris O'Cull maintains Yum Brands (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YUM#NYSE">YUM</a>) with a Hold and raises the price target from $130 to $148.

Stifel Maintains Hold on Yum Brands, Raises Price Target to $148

Yum! Brands Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YUM#NYSE">YUM</a>) is making headlines for announcing that Kentucky Fried Chicken will soon <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/02/43818486/yum-brands-moves-kfcs-us-headquarters-to-texas-in-strategic-shift">be based in Texas.</a> 
While the company has Kentucky in its name, its not the first brand to be headquartered in a different state.
What Happened: Kentucky Fried Chicken, which was founded by Harland Sanders (aka Colonel Sanders) in the 1930s, will soon call Texas home. It joins several other companies moving their headquarters to<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39804744/spacex-x-to-move-headquarters-from-california-to-texas-musk-calls-it-the-final-straw-criticizes-gov"> the southern state.</a>
Yum Brands announced the move in February. The company will have two brand headquarters in the U.S., one located in Plano, Texas, and the other in Irvine, California.
Kentucky Fried Chicken U.S. and Pizza Hut global headquarters will be located in Plano, Texas. KFC US is currently headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. KFC US corporate office employees in Kentucky and remote workers are being asked to move to Texas.
Taco Bell and Habit Burger &amp; Grill will be headquartered in Irvine, California. The KFC Foundation and Yum Brands corporate offices will remain in Louisville, Kentucky as part of the transition.
"These changes position us for sustainable growth and will help us better serve our customers, employees, franchisees and shareholders," Yum Brands CEO David Gibbs <a href="https://www.yum.com/wps/portal/yumbrands/Yumbrands/news/!ut/p/z1/jY9BC4JAFIR_SwevvmeiLt1ECFPJ9iDaXkJjWw11RTf9-0l1EUp6t3l8M8MAgwxYm4-VyFUl27ye9ZnZF0LDrY8xHkniWUi3RniI9o6BiQHpC8Af5yKwf_wrAFuPT4EtK2IS20g9z_QD6pjkZH-AlYwAmKhl8Z7rtoVJBLCe33jPe_3Rz-9SqW7YaajhNE26kFLUXL_KRsNvllIOCrIlCV2TZHi36jFyN0_Y713h/?urile=wcm:oid:54d63edb-2d60-4482-9134-ba1e69af9aac">said</a>. "Ultimately, bringing more of our people together on a consistent basis will maximize our unrivaled culture and talent as a competitive advantage. I'm confident this is another important step in growing our iconic restaurant brands globally."
Yum Brands has over 61,000 restaurants around the world in more than 155 countries with its various brands. The company has over 30,000 KFC locations in 150 countries, including 4,149 <a href="https://locations.kfc.com/">locations </a>in the United States.
The restaurant brand has 114 locations in Kentucky, which ranks 11th of the states. With 324 locations, Texas ranks second for KFC trailing only California (438).
Sanders <a href="https://global.kfc.com/our-history">ran </a>service stations in Nicholasville and Corbin, Kentucky and served his fried chicken to &nbsp;travelers using his secret recipe of 11 herbs and spices. The Corbin location is the company's original and in 1952 the first KFC franchise location was opened in Salt Lake City, Utah.
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Other Companies With Out-Of-State Headquarters: Kentucky Fried Chicken, which many people know as KFC, won't be the first company with a state in their title to be headquartered elsewhere.
Here are some other companies that have state names in their titles, but aren't headquartered there.
Louisiana-Pacific (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LPX#NYSE">LPX</a>): Building materials manufacturer was founded in Portland, Oregon and originally a part of Georgia-Pacific. The company is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee today.
Alaska Airlines, a unit of Alaska Air Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALK#NYSE">ALK</a>): Regional airline company was started as a dominant airline in Alaska and Alaska Air Group was founded in 1985 as the holding company for the brand.
AriZona Beverages: Best known for the AriZona Ice Tea brand and its famous 99-cent pricing in most locations, the company is not headquartered in Arizona. The company was founded in 1992 in New York and remains headquartered there today.
Texas Roadhouse (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TXRH#NASDAQ">TXRH</a>): Restaurant company was founded in 1993 in Indiana and is now headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky.
Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen: Restaurant company was founded in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1972, but is headquartered in Miami, Florida today. The company is owned by Restaurant Brands International (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QSR#NYSE">QSR</a>).
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Image: Shutterstock

Education

Texas Fried Chicken? KFC Moves HQ, But It's Not The Only State-Named Brand To Relocate

Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YUM#NYSE">YUM</a>) shares are trading <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/movers" rel="noreferrer noopener">relatively flat on Wednesday.</a>
Yesterday, the company announced that it is making a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.yum.com/wps/portal/yumbrands/Yumbrands/news/!ut/p/z1/04_Sj9CPykssy0xPLMnMz0vMAfIjo8ziLQK9jTwM_A38LEKdTQ0CjQy9PX3czA0NQg31w8EKDHAARwP9KGL041EQhd_4cP0oVCv8LfzNDAKdnY09vALNjS0CzKAK8JhRkBsaYZDpqAgA7y4Qyw!!/?urile=wcm:oid:54d63edb-2d60-4482-9134-ba1e69af9aac" rel="noreferrer noopener">strategic move</a> to streamline operations by designating two brand headquarters in the U.S.
The new headquarters will be located in Plano, Texas, and Irvine, California.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many companies have reconsidered their corporate headquarters locations, seeking lower taxes and adapting to remote work, CNBC <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/02/18/kfc-moves-us-headquarters-from-kentucky-to-texas.html#:~:text=Signage%20outside%20a%20Yum%20Brands,on%20Jan.%2029%2C%202021.&amp;text=KFC%20is%20leaving%20Kentucky.,owner%20Yum%20Brands%20said%20Tuesday." rel="noreferrer noopener">reports</a>. A 2023 CBRE report found that Texas is the top choice for relocations due to its business-friendly policies.
As part of the recent plan by Yum! Brands&#8217;, KFC U.S. corporate office employees based in Louisville, Kentucky, will be relocated to the KFC and Pizza Hut Global headquarters in Plano.
Additionally, U.S.-based remote employees will also be asked to relocate to the appropriate campuses based on their roles.
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Taco Bell and Habit Burger &amp; Grill will continue to operate from their current base in Irvine.
According to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://pro.benzinga.com/?gspk=YWRhbWVja2VydDUzMzY&amp;gsxid=zBMR4PKmcgBw" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Pro</a>, YUM stock has gained over 9% in the past year. Investors can gain exposure to the stock via First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VI First Trust New Constructs Core Earnings Leaders ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FTCE#NYSE">FTCE</a>).
To honor its Kentucky roots, Yum! Brands will maintain a presence in Louisville with KFC&#8217;s headquarters and contribute a $1 million endowment to the University of Louisville's College of Business.
This fund will support Yum!-sponsored scholarships for students across Kentucky and contribute to the Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence.
The company expects the relocation of about 100 KFC U.S. corporate roles over the next six months, while 90 remote employees will relocate over 18 months.
CEO David Gibbs emphasized that these changes would help the company maximize its culture, talent, and global growth, enhancing the competitive edge of Yum! Brands&#8217; iconic restaurant brands.
&#8220;Ultimately, bringing more of our people together on a consistent basis will maximize our unrivaled culture and talent as a competitive advantage,&#8221; Gibbs said in a press release.&nbsp;
In 2020, Papa John&#8217;s International, Inc. moved its headquarters from Louisville to Atlanta but chose to keep the old building for its remaining employees in Louisville, CNBC further noted.
Price Action: YUM shares are trading higher by 0.15% to $147.35 at last check Wednesday.
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Photo by Tony Papageorge via Shutterstock.

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