A Look At Yum! Brands (YUM) Valuation As Shares Trade Near Analyst Fair Value Estimates

يَم! براندز إنك +1.55%

Yum! Brands, Inc.

YUM

156.09

+1.55%

Yum! Brands stock overview

Yum! Brands (YUM) has been drawing attention after recent share price moves, with the stock last closing at $155.50. For context, the company reports annual revenue of $8.06b and net income of $1.45b.

Yum! Brands’ share price has been relatively steady in the short term, while a 12.51% 90 day share price return and 21.46% one year total shareholder return suggest momentum has been building over a longer horizon.

If this kind of steady compounding appeals to you, it could be a good moment to broaden your watchlist with fast growing stocks with high insider ownership.

With Yum! Brands trading at $155.50, a modelled intrinsic value suggesting a premium, and a 7.3% gap to the average analyst target, the real question is whether there is still a buying opportunity here or if the market is already pricing in future growth.

Most Popular Narrative: 6.8% Undervalued

With Yum! Brands at $155.50 and the most followed narrative pointing to a fair value of $166.88, the gap comes down to how you view its future cash generation and earnings power.

The asset-light, heavily franchised operating model minimizes capital intensity and allows for recurring, predictable cash flows while enabling rapid global expansion, with improved franchisee economics via proprietary tech (Byte) further supporting long-term operating profit and EPS growth.

Curious what earnings path and margin profile underpin that $166.88 fair value? The narrative leans on rising digital mix, expanding international units and a richer profit multiple. The exact assumptions might surprise you.

Result: Fair Value of $166.88 (UNDERVALUED)

However, this hinges on execution, with softer demand in parts of KFC, Pizza Hut and Habit Burger, as well as uncertain payoffs from heavy digital and tech spending.

Another Angle On Valuation

That 6.8% discount to a $166.88 fair value is one story. The earnings multiple tells another. At $155.50, Yum! Brands trades on a P/E of 29.8x compared with a fair ratio of 26.1x, the US Hospitality average of 22x, and a 24.2x peer average. This points to richer pricing and less room for error.

NYSE:YUM P/E Ratio as at Jan 2026
NYSE:YUM P/E Ratio as at Jan 2026

Build Your Own Yum! Brands Narrative

If you are not convinced by this view or prefer to rely on your own work, you can build a custom Yum! Brands story in a few minutes by starting with Do it your way.

A great starting point for your Yum! Brands research is our analysis highlighting 1 key reward and 3 important warning signs that could impact your investment decision.

Looking for more investment ideas?

If Yum! Brands is on your radar, do not stop there. Use the Simply Wall St Screener to quickly spot other opportunities that match your style.

  • Tap into potential mispricings by checking out these 868 undervalued stocks based on cash flows that may offer more compelling entry points based on their underlying cash flows.
  • Hunt for income-focused ideas by scanning these 14 dividend stocks with yields > 3% that already offer yields above 3%.
  • Get ahead of fast moving themes by reviewing these 18 cryptocurrency and blockchain stocks that are tied to cryptocurrency and blockchain developments.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.