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). 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

Yum Brands's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YUM#NYSE">YUM</a>) short percent of float has fallen 3.35% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 4.21 million shares sold short, which is 1.73% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 2.14 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Yum Brands Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1749841235_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Yum Brands has declined since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to rise in the near-term but traders should be aware that less shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Yum Brands's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Yum Brands's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 10.22%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

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Is the Market Bullish or Bearish on Yum Brands?

TD Cowen analyst Andrew M. Charles reiterated the Hold rating on Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SBUX#NASDAQ">SBUX</a>) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SBUX/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">with a price forecast of $90</a>.
While acknowledging the potential for a turnaround under CEO Brian Niccol, similar to Chipotle&#8217;s success, the analyst expressed caution in a recent report.
The precedent set by Brian Niccol&#8217;s successful revival of Chipotle now serves as a key benchmark for his leadership at Starbucks.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45903922/starbucks-teams-up-with-openai-to-launch-green-dot-assist-a-virtual-barista-tool-that-helps-staff-customize-drinks-troubleshoot-issues-and-speed-up-service" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Starbucks Teams Up With OpenAI To Launch &#8216;Green Dot Assist&#8217;, A Virtual Barista Tool That Helps Staff Customize Drinks, Troubleshoot Issues And Speed Up Service</a>
Alternative data for Starbucks&#8217; North America segment is showing signs of improvement, with investor expectations for fiscal 2025 third quarter (June) hovering between -1% and -2%, slightly better than the -2.3% estimate from Consensus Metrix, the analyst mentioned.
He added that while there&#8217;s enthusiasm around the accelerated rollout of the Green Apron program and its potential sales boost, concerns remain about its return on investment, as proprietary surveys point to declining value perceptions that could limit pricing flexibility.
Charles also observed that in the current risk-on environment, investors appear to be rotating into Starbucks from other large-cap restaurant names like McDonald&#8217;s Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCD#NYSE">MCD</a>), Restaurant Brands International Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QSR#NYSE">QSR</a>), and Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YUM#NYSE">YUM</a>). This shift is happening alongside renewed optimism around CEO Brian Niccol, boosted by the ongoing Starbucks Leadership Experience 2025 in Las Vegas.
On the flipside, Charles tempered optimism with caution, suggesting Starbucks may have over-earned in the years following COVID-19, as the company now appears to be holding back on pricing and increasing labor hours.
The analyst asserted that the business is still recalibrating to a new earnings baseline, in contrast to consensus expectations that view 2025 as a temporary dip before margins recover.
He added that risks to U.S. same-store sales remain elevated due to declining value perceptions, narrowing quality gaps versus competitors, the company&#8217;s historical underperformance during downturns like 2008–09 and 2020, and rising competition from fast-growing drive-thru coffee chains.
Price Action: SBUX shares are trading higher by 0.18% to $94.50 at last check Friday.
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SBUX

Starbucks At A Crossroads, Analyst Sees Chipotle-Like Potential But Warns Of Declining Value Perception

Papa John's International Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PZZA#NASDAQ">PZZA</a>) shares are<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/movers" rel="noreferrer noopener"> trading lower on Thursday.</a>
On Wednesday, several media reports emerged that the company may be nearing a significant ownership change, as private equity giant Apollo Global Management, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APO#NYSE">APO</a>) and Qatari-backed investment firm Irth Capital have reportedly joined forces to pursue a buyout of the pizza chain, valuing it at approximately $2 billion.
Semafor <a href="https://www.semafor.com/article/06/11/2025/papa-johns-pzza-apollo-take-private" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports </a>that the offer is in the low $60s per share, notably higher than the current stock price of around $48, citing sources familiar with the situation.
While Apollo has a history of large-scale acquisitions, Irth Capital is a much smaller player with less than $200 million in assets as of late 2023. Irth, backed by Sheikh Mohamed al Thani of Qatar's royal family, holds a 5% stake in Papa John's.
Following the reports, PZZA stock surged over 7% on Wednesday.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45629288/pizza-stocks-in-focus-analyst-says-dominos-gains-share-papa-johns-holds-steady-pizza-hut-loses-ground" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pizza Power Play: Analyst Says Domino&#8217;s Gains Share, Papa Johns Holds Steady, Pizza Hut Loses Ground</a>
Despite its size, Irth has experience with consumer-focused turnarounds, having been involved in the acquisitions of Casper and Bojangles.
Irth reportedly still needs to secure financing for its portion of the proposed deal, Semafor adds.
If that doesn't materialize, Apollo could move forward on its own.
As of now, neither Apollo nor Papa John's have issued public statements, and Irth has not responded to requests for comment.
If a formal sales process is launched, more potential suitors could emerge. Inspire Brands, known for its acquisition of Dunkin' Donuts in 2020, may explore the opportunity, Semafor further adds.
Another possibility is Roark Capital, which recently completed a deal for Dave's Hot Chicken and owns Subway.
Papa John's franchising model, which licenses branding and ingredients to independent operators, aligns with their typical investment strategies, the report further states.
In 2018 and 2019, Papa John's faced a public controversy involving its founder, John Schnatter, who used a racial slur during a conference call, Reuters reports. The incident led to legal disputes and, ultimately, a deal with activist investor Starboard Value, whose CEO took over as chairman of the board in 2019 following Schnatter's departure.
Although Starboard helped stabilize Papa John's, industry observers believe more changes are needed—fueling speculation of a potential take-private move to enable deeper restructuring out of public view, Reuters adds.
Under current CEO Todd Penegor, Papa John's has made notable performance improvements, though its stock continues to trade at a slight discount compared to peers like Yum! Brands Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YUM#NYSE">YUM</a>) and Domino's Pizza Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DPZ#NYSE">DPZ</a>).
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Photo: Shutterstock

Movers

PZZA

Papa John's Takeover Rumors Swirl, But Doubts Are Creeping In

Top Wall Street analysts changed their outlook on these top names. For a complete view of all analyst rating changes, including upgrades, downgrades and initiations, please see our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings">analyst ratings page</a>.
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Citigroup analyst Alice Cai upgraded the rating for QuantaSing Group Limited (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QSG#NASDAQ">QSG</a>) from Neutral to Buy and raised the price target from $6.1 to $9.52. QuantaSing Group shares closed at $6.95 on Monday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/qsg/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Redburn Atlantic analyst Chris Luyckx upgraded Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YUM#NYSE">YUM</a>) from Neutral to Buy and raised the price target from $145 to $177. Yum Brands shares closed at $143.14 on Monday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/yum/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>B of A Securities analyst Ken Hoexter upgraded the rating for ArcBest Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARCB#NASDAQ">ARCB</a>) from Underperform to Neutral and raised the price target from $63 to $74. ArcBest shares closed at $67.27 on Monday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AFRM/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Lake Street analyst Ben Klieve upgraded Limoneira (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LMNR#NASDAQ">LMNR</a>) from Hold to Buy and maintained the price target of $23. Limoneira shares closed at $16.18 on Monday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AFRM/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
</ul>
Considering buying YUM stock? Here&#8217;s what analysts think: 
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="573" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/10085353/image-144-1024x573.png" alt="" class="wp-image-944666" style="width:554px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/10085353/image-144-1024x573.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/10085353/image-144-300x168.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/10085353/image-144-768x430.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/10085353/image-144.png 1113w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
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This Yum! Brands Analyst Turns Bullish; Here Are Top 4 Upgrades For Tuesday

Redburn Atlantic analyst Chris Luyckx upgrades Yum Brands (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YUM#NYSE">YUM</a>) from Neutral to Buy and raises the price target from $145 to $177.

Redburn Atlantic Upgrades Yum Brands to Buy, Raises Price Target to $177

Goldman Sachs analyst Christine Cho upgraded Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YUM#NYSE">YUM</a>) from Neutral to Buy with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/YUM/analyst-ratings" rel="noreferrer noopener">a price forecast of $167</a>.
The analyst asserted that the company demonstrates a best-in-class unit growth trajectory, which stands out compared to most peers who are either below or at the low end of their stated growth algorithms.
Furthermore, the analyst highlighted YUM&#8217;s high franchise mix, at 98% of units, which she expressed builds relative resilience in the business.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45143600/yum-brands-return-of-crispy-chicken-nuggets-to-drive-traffic-in-q2" rel="noreferrer noopener">Taco Bell Parent Yum Brands Under Pressure, Expects Chicken Nuggets To Drive Q2 Traffic</a>
The analyst also pointed to improved digital integration across YUM&#8217;s various brands and at the enterprise level, specifically mentioning Byte! by YUM. The analyst said these digital advancements are expected to improve operational efficiency and drive top-line acceleration.
Finally, the analyst emphasized Taco Bell U.S.&#8217;s sustained value leadership and the significant opportunity to accelerate international growth for the brand.
Based on these considerations, the analyst indicated a 16% upside potential to the 12-month price forecast of $167, which she noted compares favorably to the 9% average upside for the rest of their coverage.
The analyst revised the EBITDA estimates to $2.90 billion (from $2.91 billion) for FY25, $3.16 billion (from $3.16 billion) for FY26 and $3.43 billion (from $3.44 billion earlier).
In April, Yum! Brands reported&nbsp;first-quarter revenue of $1.79 billion, missing the analyst consensus estimate of $1.8 billion. Adjusted EPS of $1.30&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/45106852/why-pizza-hut-parent-yum-brands-stock-is-ticking-lower-today" rel="noreferrer noopener">beat the analyst&nbsp;consensus of $1.29</a>.
The analyst highlighted several trends in the sector, including diverging brand performance, with casual dining showing more resilience year-to-date than fast food.
Cho added that investors are increasingly favoring self-help narratives driven by unique traffic/market share catalysts or margin opportunities based on operational efficiency.
While commodity/labor costs are relatively stable, tariffs remain a key swing factor for the second half, and companies are reluctant to raise prices given soft consumer sentiment, she said.
The analyst sees elevated risk to global restaurant development plans in FY26/27, potentially pushing unit growth below the stated long-term algorithms.
Price Action: YUM shares are trading higher by 0.64% to $144.89&nbsp;at last check Wednesday.
Read Next:
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Image via Shutterstock

Yum! Brands Tipped For 16% Upside As Analyst Points To Strong Unit Growth, AI Investment

Yum Brands (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YUM#NYSE">YUM</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 20 years by 2.36% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 10.69%. Currently, Yum Brands has a market capitalization of $39.98 billion. 
Buying $1000 In YUM: If an investor had bought $1000 of YUM stock 20 years ago, it would be worth $7,550.25 today based on a price of $143.84 for YUM at the time of writing.
<h3>Yum Brands's Performance Over Last 20 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1749050112_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

If You Invested $1000 In This Stock 20 Years Ago, You Would Have This Much Today

Goldman Sachs analyst Christine Cho upgrades Yum Brands (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YUM#NYSE">YUM</a>) from Neutral to Buy and maintains the price target from $167 to $167.

Goldman Sachs Upgrades Yum Brands to Buy, Maintains Price Target to $167

Bank of America Securities analyst Sara Senatore explained that while the restaurant industry may seem simple due to its familiarity with consumers, investing in restaurant stocks remains complex, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/restaurants/25/05/45417777/lobster-life-sibling-entrepreneurs-see-trade-turmoil-as-a-business-edge" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">given the wide performance variation within the sector.</a>
According to Senatore, in today&#8217;s value-conscious environment, the restaurants seeing success are those offering standout products and experiences across multiple dimensions.
This consistent execution has allowed leading quick-service pizza chains to expand market share, and she highlights that Domino&#8217;s Pizza Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DPZ#NASDAQ">DPZ</a>) is positioned to continue outperforming, backed by its partnerships with delivery platforms like DoorDash, Inc.(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DASH#NASDAQ">DASH</a>)
and Uber Technologies, Inc.&#8217;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UBER#NYSE">UBER</a>) UberEats, value-oriented menu strategies, and technological strength. The analyst reiterated the Buy rating on Domino&#8217;s, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/DPZ/analyst-ratings" rel="noreferrer noopener">with a price forecast of $549.</a>
Also Read:<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/restaurants/25/05/45400599/only-reasonable-profits-jdcom-takes-aim-at-global-food-delivery-economics-with-zero-commission-modelrevives-founders-035-principle" rel="noreferrer noopener"> &#8216;Only Reasonable Profits:&#8217; JD.com Takes Aim At Global Food Delivery Economics With Zero-Commission Model—Revives Founder&#8217;s &#8216;$0.35 Principle&#8217;</a>
The analyst expressed optimism about Papa John&#8217;s International, Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PZZA#NASDAQ">PZZA</a>), anticipating an improved earnings profile after the company&#8217;s planned investments in 2025. Senatore reiterated the Buy rating, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/PZZA/analyst-ratings" rel="noreferrer noopener">with a price forecast of $52.</a>
Senatore noted that Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YUM#NYSE">YUM</a>), the parent company of Pizza Hut, has maintained stable returns on assets compared to the broader market, and she views the company&#8217;s historical performance range as a solid basis for future estimates. The analyst reiterated the Neutral rating <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/YUM/analyst-ratings" rel="noreferrer noopener">with a price forecast of $159.</a>
Senatore highlighted market share dynamics among these top three pizza chains, noting that Domino&#8217;s has continued to gain share, Papa Johns has maintained its position, while Pizza Hut has seen a decline in share.
Out of the Pizza focus, the analyst sees Bloomin&#8217; Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BLMN#NASDAQ">BLMN</a>) &#8216;s same-store sales growth could be slower than expected if macro headwinds pressure restaurant consumption or sales-driving initiatives fail to resonate with customers. Senatore reiterated the company&#8217;s Underperform rating, with a price forecast of $7.
Senatore noted that McDonald&#8217;s Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCD#NYSE">MCD</a>) could deliver better-than-expected margins and returns if it slows down its investment pace or uncovers unanticipated cost savings.
She also suggested that if investor sentiment turns more risk-averse, McDonald&#8217;s defensive profile could become increasingly appealing in the current market environment. The analyst reiterated the Neutral rating on McDonald&#8217;s with a price forecast of $327.
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BLMN

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Pizza Power Play: Analyst Says Domino's Gains Share, Papa Johns Holds Steady, Pizza Hut Loses Ground

KFC, owned by Yum Brands (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YUM#NYSE">YUM</a>), reportedly said Tuesday it will invest £1.49 billion (about $2 billion) in the U.K. and Ireland over <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/kfc">the next five years.</a>
Reuters reported that the expansion is expected to create over 7,000 jobs. KFC currently operates 1,000+ restaurants in the region with 30,000 employees and plans to open 500 more over the next decade.
KFC will allocate £466 million to build new locations and refurbish 200 existing restaurants. An additional £583 million will go toward staffing, emphasizing its commitment to job creation and workforce development, Reuters added.
KFC says the UK fried chicken market is now valued at £3.1 billion and anticipates continued growth. The investment signals confidence in the quick-service restaurant sector and a long-term commitment to expanding its presence.
The move also reflects broader industry trends as fast-food chains invest in modernization, digital ordering, and regional expansion to meet shifting consumer preferences.
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In early May, Yum! Brands announced mixed first-quarter results, as strong same-store sales growth at Taco Bell was offset by continued struggles at Pizza Hut, as U.S. analysts <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45143600/yum-brands-return-of-crispy-chicken-nuggets-to-drive-traffic-in-q2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">maintained</a> neutral stances, noting modest overall growth and effective strategic execution despite macroeconomic pressures.
Taco Bell outperformed with robust same-store sales, while Pizza Hut lagged in the U.S. Yum! projected 8% operating profit growth in 2025, despite slower unit expansion due to Turkey closures.
Price Action: YUM shares were down 0.75% at $143.66 at last check Friday.
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KFC Betting $2 Billion On Britain's Fried Chicken Boom

Pizza Hut's New BOOK IT! App Turns Summer Reading Into Pizza Earning For Pre-K To 6th Graders

Yum Brands's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YUM#NYSE">YUM</a>) short percent of float has risen 11.8% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 4.40 million shares sold short, which is 1.8% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 2.08 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Yum Brands Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1748008833_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Yum Brands has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Yum Brands's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Yum Brands's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 9.73%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

What's Driving the Market Sentiment Around Yum Brands?

Yum Brands (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YUM#NYSE">YUM</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 20 years by 2.64% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 10.89%. Currently, Yum Brands has a market capitalization of $40.44 billion. 
Buying $100 In YUM: If an investor had bought $100 of YUM stock 20 years ago, it would be worth $790.57 today based on a price of $145.50 for YUM at the time of writing.
<h3>Yum Brands's Performance Over Last 20 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1747945814_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Here's How Much You Would Have Made Owning Yum Brands Stock In The Last 20 Years

The inflation crisis that has been hammering the U.S. economy is now taking a visible toll on consumers. Last month, <a href="https://www.conference-board.org/topics/consumer-confidence">data</a> showed that consumer confidence in the U.S. fell to a five-year low. The country's economy shrank in the first quarter for the first time since 2022.&nbsp;
The current earnings season is highlighting the struggles of companies exposed to consumer spending. Fast-food giant McDonald&#8217;s Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCD#NYSE">MCD</a>) March quarter earnings and revenue missed Wall Street's estimates, while the company saw a 3.6% drop in same-store sales in the U.S., the biggest <a href="https://www.wsj.com/business/hospitality/mcdonalds-mcd-q1-earnings-report-2025-76b4d394-9b782952">decline</a> since 2020.
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McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski was frank in pointing out the plight of consumers impacting the company during its <a href="https://seekingalpha.com/article/4780500-mcdonalds-corporation-mcd-q1-2025-earnings-call-transcript">earnings call</a> with analysts. The executive said that quick-service restaurant industry traffic from the low-income consumers plunged by double digits compared with the previous quarter. Middle-income consumers, who had been holding up relatively well until a few months ago, also saw similar declines, which indicates that economic pressure on traffic has "broadened," according to Kempczinski.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">‘Heightened Anxiety'</h2>
However, as the average American's wallet feels the squeeze, fast-food spending from rich customers remains resilient.
"Traffic growth from the high-income cohort remains solid, illustrating the divided U.S. economy, where low and middle-income consumers in particular are being weighed down by the cumulative impact of inflation, and heightened anxiety about the economic outlook," Kempczinski said.
Trending: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/are-you-rich">Are you rich?</a> Here&#8217;s what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Traffic Weak Despite $5 Value Meals&nbsp;</h2>
McDonald's saw consumer weakness despite <a href="https://corporate.mcdonalds.com/corpmcd/our-stories/article/mcdonalds-launching-mcvalue-platform-inus-restaurants-in2025.html">launching</a> new $5 value meals earlier this year across its U.S. restaurants to woo customers.&nbsp; Kempczinski said in the latest earnings call that the company knows affordability and value are "paramount" in the current environment, and it has launched cheaper meals across five major international markets.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Consumer Woes Across International Markets</h2>
The economic struggles of consumers aren't just limited to the U.S. Kempczinski said during the call that the company is seeing a "similar story" in international markets, where comparable sales declined 1% from last year. Traffic was positive in just two of the five major markets.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/gbr-savings-by-age">If You're Age 35, 50, or 60: Here&#8217;s How Much You Should Have Saved Vs. Invested By Now</a>
McDonald's total <a href="https://corporate.mcdonalds.com/content/dam/sites/corp/nfl/pdf/Q1_25_Earnings_Release.pdf">revenue</a> fell 3% year over year in the first quarter. The company also saw comparable sales declines in the UK, while the Middle East and Japan posted gains.&nbsp;
"We&#8217;ll remain agile to ensure McValue continues to meet consumer needs and positions us for success in a challenging marketplace," Kempczinski added. "For the remainder of 2025, we&#8217;ll continue to include everyday value meal deals starting at $5, given how the current $5 Meal Deal in particular has resonated with customers."
McDonald's rivals are also beginning to see the impact of contractions in consumer spending. Yum! Brands (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YUM#NYSE">YUM</a>), the owner of Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and KFC, recently <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/30/yum-brands-yum-q1-2025-earnings.html">missed</a> Q1 revenue expectations as Pizza Hut's same-store sales slid 5% in the U.S.
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Image: Shutterstock

Personal Finance

'A Divided Economy': McDonald's CEO Says Rich Keep Dining Out But Average Income Consumers Feeling Economic 'Anxiety'

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 $160 to $170.

JP Morgan Maintains Neutral on Yum Brands, Raises Price Target to $170

Barclays analyst Jeffrey Bernstein maintains Yum Brands (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YUM#NYSE">YUM</a>) with a Overweight and raises the price target from $163 to $167.

Barclays Maintains Overweight on Yum Brands, Raises Price Target to $167

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 $147 to $151.

Morgan Stanley Maintains Equal-Weight on Yum Brands, Raises Price Target to $151

Shares of Yum! Brands Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YUM#NYSE">YUM</a>) remained under pressure after the company announced Wednesday <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/45106852/why-pizza-hut-parent-yum-brands-stock-is-ticking-lower-today">downbeat first-quarter sales</a>.
Here are some key analyst takeaways.
<ul>
<li>Piper Sandler <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst/5df37c17bffdfc0001d738fc/brian-mullan">analyst Brian Mullan</a> reiterated a Neutral rating, while reducing the price target from $150 to $155.</li>
<li>TD Cowen <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst/58b05502b85e93000174c0ed/andrew-charles">analyst Andrew Charles</a> maintained a Hold rating and price target of $158.</li>
<li>KeyBanc Capital Markets <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst/58e64302b85e9300014c97e6/eric-gonzalez">analyst Eric Gonzalez</a> reaffirmed a Sector Weight rating on the stock.</li>
</ul>
Check out <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings">other analyst stock ratings</a>.
Piper Sandler: Yum! Brands' quarterly results were largely in line with expectations, Mullan said in a note. The performance of Taco Bell US continued to stand out, with same-store sales growth of 9.0%, "meaningfully out-performing the QSR category," he added.
The brand seems "well positioned to navigate the current macro from here," the analyst wrote. Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to generate 8% adjusted operating profit growth in 2025.
TD Cowen: The first-quarter results did not change Yum! Brands' story, which "features Taco Bell outperformance &amp; Pizza Hut underperformance," Charles said. He added that low-single-digit growth in traffic was a positive, and management indicated trends at Taco Bell had continued into April.
The analyst raised the second-quarter estimate for same-store sales growth from 4% to 5%. "The company&#8217;s playbook of balancing innovation with value continues to out-execute quick service peers, and should continue in 2Q with the return of the previously successful Crispy Chicken Nuggets," he further wrote.
KeyBanc Capital Markets: Taco Bell delivered same-store sales growth above the company's 8% guidance, "proving its resilience in the current environment," Gonzalez said. Pizza Hut continued to struggle, particularly in the US, while KFC's global same-store sales growth exceeded expectations, "helped by a recovery in key international markets," he added.
Yum! Brands expects 2025 to be "an algorithm year, with core operating profit growth of 8% despite unit growth decelerating to ~4% due to closures in Turkey, which will have an immaterial impact on profit growth," the analyst further wrote.
YUM Price Action: Shares of Yum! Brandshad declined by 1.42% to $148.31 at the time of publication on Thursday.
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Image: Shutterstock

Restaurants

Taco Bell Parent Yum Brands Under Pressure, Expects Chicken Nuggets To Drive Q2 Traffic

Piper Sandler analyst Brian Mullan 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 $150 to $155.

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