GSA Capital Partners LLP Makes New $2.83 Million Investment in Yum China $YUMC

Key Points

• GSA Capital Partners initiated a $2.83 million position in Yum China during the second quarter by purchasing 69,262 shares. Institutional investors collectively own 85.58% of the company.
• Yum China exceeded quarterly expectations, reporting $0.70 in EPS versus the $0.67 consensus and $3.14 billion in revenue, up 12.6% year over year. Analysts’ average rating is “Moderate Buy,” with a consensus price target of $59.21.
• The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.29 per share, equivalent to $1.16 annually and a roughly 2.4% yield. While Goldman Sachs maintained a Buy rating and a $59 target, Wall Street Zen downgraded the stock to Hold.

GSA Capital Partners LLP acquired a new stake in shares of Yum China (NYSE:YUMC - Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 69,262 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,831,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Ashoka WhiteOak Capital Pte Ltd boosted its stake in shares of Yum China by 0.7% during the fourth quarter. Ashoka WhiteOak Capital Pte Ltd now owns 28,350 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,342,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the period. Glenview Trust Co raised its holdings in Yum China by 4.3% during the 4th quarter. Glenview Trust Co now owns 4,904 shares of the company's stock valued at $234,000 after buying an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Truist Financial Corp raised its holdings in Yum China by 0.3% during the 4th quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 68,009 shares of the company's stock valued at $3,247,000 after buying an additional 211 shares during the last quarter. Biltmore Family Office LLC boosted its position in Yum China by 3.1% during the 4th quarter. Biltmore Family Office LLC now owns 7,111 shares of the company's stock valued at $339,000 after buying an additional 216 shares during the period. Finally, Williams Jones Wealth Management LLC. boosted its position in Yum China by 2.7% during the 4th quarter. Williams Jones Wealth Management LLC. now owns 8,258 shares of the company's stock valued at $394,000 after buying an additional 221 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 85.58% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on YUMC shares. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $59.00 price objective on shares of Yum China in a report on Thursday, July 30th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Yum China from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Sunday, August 9th. Finally, Weiss Ratings cut shares of Yum China from a "hold (c+)" rating to a "hold (c)" rating in a report on Tuesday, May 26th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $59.21.

Yum China Price Performance

NYSE YUMC opened at $47.59 on Friday. Yum China has a one year low of $40.15 and a one year high of $58.39. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $44.04 and a 200 day moving average of $47.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a current ratio of 0.96. The company has a market capitalization of $16.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.43, a PEG ratio of 1.25 and a beta of 0.09.

Yum China (NYSE:YUMC - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $0.70 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.67 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $3.14 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $3.05 billion. Yum China had a net margin of 7.84% and a return on equity of 15.82%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 12.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.58 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Yum China will post 2.95 EPS for the current year.

Yum China Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 17th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 27th will be paid a dividend of $0.29 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 27th. This represents a $1.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.4%. Yum China's payout ratio is currently 42.49%.

Key Yum China News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Analysts raised earnings forecasts. Zacks Research increased its FY2026 EPS estimate to $2.92 from $2.91, FY2027 to $3.42 from $3.32, and FY2028 to $4.03 from $3.81. Estimates were also raised for Q1 2027, Q3 2027, Q4 2027 and Q1 2028, suggesting improving expectations for Yum China’s longer-term profitability. Yum China analyst estimates
• Positive Sentiment: Recent operating results exceeded expectations. Yum China’s latest quarterly report showed EPS of $0.70 versus the $0.67 consensus estimate, while revenue of $3.14 billion beat forecasts of $3.05 billion and increased 12.6% year over year. The earnings outperformance provides additional support for the stock. Yum China quarterly earnings
• Positive Sentiment: Dividend supports shareholder returns. The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.29 per share, or $1.16 annualized, representing a yield of approximately 2.5%. Goldman Sachs also maintained a Buy rating with a $59 price target, above recent trading levels. Yum China dividend and analyst coverage
• Neutral Sentiment: Insider transaction disclosed. Insider Jeff Kuai sold 14,586 shares for approximately $696,000, reducing his direct holdings by 18.67%. The sale could weigh on sentiment, though one insider transaction does not necessarily indicate a change in the company’s fundamentals. Yum China insider sale
• Negative Sentiment: Some analyst sentiment remains cautious. Wall Street Zen recently downgraded Yum China from Buy to Hold, creating a counterweight to the higher earnings estimates and Goldman Sachs’ Buy rating.

Insider Buying and Selling at Yum China

In other news, insider Jeff Kuai sold 14,586 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $47.72, for a total value of $696,043.92. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 63,541 shares in the company, valued at $3,032,176.52. This trade represents a 18.67% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 0.44% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Yum China Company Profile

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

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

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