Yum China (NYSE:YUMC) Sees Significant Growth in Short Interest

Key Points

• Yum China experienced a 21.0% increase in short interest during August, reaching a total of 7,660,000 shares short as of August 31st.
• Shares of Yum China (YUMC) fell 1.9% to $43.82, with a market capitalization of $16.16 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.11.
• The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.24 per share, reflecting an annualized dividend yield of 2.2% and a payout ratio of 39.67%.

Yum China (NYSE:YUMC - Get Free Report) saw a large growth in short interest during the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totaling 7,660,000 shares, a growth of 21.0% from the August 15th total of 6,330,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 1,950,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.9 days. Currently, 2.2% of the company's stock are sold short. Currently, 2.2% of the company's stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 1,950,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.9 days.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Yum China

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB grew its position in shares of Yum China by 26.7% during the 2nd quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 1,052 shares of the company's stock valued at $47,000 after acquiring an additional 222 shares during the period. Okabena Investment Services Inc. grew its position in shares of Yum China by 0.5% during the 1st quarter. Okabena Investment Services Inc. now owns 50,003 shares of the company's stock valued at $2,603,000 after acquiring an additional 226 shares during the period. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Yum China by 4.7% during the 2nd quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC now owns 5,106 shares of the company's stock valued at $228,000 after acquiring an additional 230 shares during the period. BNP Paribas grew its position in shares of Yum China by 1.6% during the 2nd quarter. BNP Paribas now owns 15,500 shares of the company's stock valued at $694,000 after acquiring an additional 250 shares during the period. Finally, Snowden Capital Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Yum China by 5.8% during the 4th quarter. Snowden Capital Advisors LLC now owns 4,726 shares of the company's stock valued at $228,000 after acquiring an additional 261 shares during the period. 85.58% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Yum China Stock Down 0.1%

YUMC stock traded down $0.05 during trading on Friday, reaching $43.78. The stock had a trading volume of 1,268,876 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,112,054. Yum China has a one year low of $35.15 and a one year high of $53.99. The company has a quick ratio of 1.22, a current ratio of 1.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01. The company's 50 day moving average is $45.55 and its two-hundred day moving average is $45.92. The company has a market capitalization of $16.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.09, a P/E/G ratio of 1.65 and a beta of 0.22.

Yum China (NYSE:YUMC - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 5th. The company reported $0.58 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.57 by $0.01. Yum China had a net margin of 8.04% and a return on equity of 14.13%. The business had revenue of $2.79 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.80 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.55 EPS. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 4.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts forecast that Yum China will post 2.54 EPS for the current year.

Yum China Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 23rd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 2nd will be given a $0.24 dividend. This represents a $0.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 2nd. Yum China's dividend payout ratio is presently 39.67%.

Yum China Company Profile

Yum China Holdings, Inc owns, operates, and franchises restaurants in the People's Republic of China. The company operates through KFC, Pizza Hut, and All Other segments. It operates restaurants under the KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Lavazza, Little Sheep, and Huang Ji Huang concepts. The company also operates V-Gold Mall, a mobile e-commerce platform to sell products; and offers online food deliver services.