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. shares had their biggest gain in almost five years after sales surpassed expectations, buoyed by growth at the Taco Bell fast-food chain.The company’s same-store sales rose 1% in the fourth quarter,

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, sending its shares up about 7%.

Yum Brands reported strong fourth-quarter and full-year results, fueled by Taco Bell's value-driven menu. The fast food giant made $885 million in company sales in Q4, up from $647 million in 2023. Yum Brand made over $9 billion in digital system sales last year, the company's quarterly earnings report.

Yum! Brands' ( NYSE: YUM) core operating profit rose 17% across the company, led by the Taco Bell division. The company's restaurant margin rate of 17.9% was ahead of the consensus estimate of 16.2%. Adjusted EPS was reported at $1.61 vs. $1.60 consensus and $1.26 a year ago.

Results were fueled by strong sales for KFC's international restaurants and Taco Bell. Net sales climbed 16% to $2.36 billion, and the company's same-store sales rose 1%. Yum Brands on Thursday reported quarterly earnings and revenue that beat Wall Street estimates, fueled by strong sales for KFC's international restaurants and Taco Bell.

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 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.