Yum! Brands’ Taco Bell leads FY 2024, but KFC lags in the U.S. Learn why YUM stock holds steady at a 'Hold' rating with a $135 price target and growth focus.

Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM) shares are trading higher on Thursday. The company reported fourth-quarter adjusted earnings per share of $1.61, beating the street view of $1.60. Quarterly sales of $2.362 billion outpaced the analyst consensus estimate of $2.

Yum! Brands Inc. shares had their biggest gain in almost five years after sales surpassed expectations, buoyed by growth at the Taco Bell fast-food chain.

Yum Brands surpassed Wall Street estimates for fourth-quarter comparable sales on Thursday, as value offerings from Taco Bell attracted budget-conscious U.S. consumers to the popular Tex-Mex chain. Its shares rose about 3% in premarket trading.

Yum Brands on Thursday reported quarterly earnings and revenue that included strong sales for KFC's international restaurants and Taco Bell. The company's same-store sales rose 1% in the quarter. Yum Brands on Thursday reported quarterly earnings and revenue that included strong sales for KFC's international restaurants and Taco Bell.

The logo of Taco Bell, a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. is seen on a store in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., February 7, 2022. Reuters / ANDREW KELLY Yum Brands reported strong fourth-quarter and full-year results,