Overseas Markets Fuel Yum’s Growth

Article Excerpt

YUM! BRANDS INC. $37 (New York symbol YUM; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 508.6 million; Market cap: $18.8 billion; SI Rating: Average) is the largest fast-food operator in the world in terms of number of locations, with 34,500 outlets in more than 100 countries. Its major chains include KFC (fried chicken), Pizza Hut, Taco Bell (Mexican food), Long John Silver’s (seafood) andA&W(root beer and hamburgers). Yum has aggressively expanded in China in the past few years. Its China division (which includes Taiwan and Thailand) operates 2,900 restaurants, mainly KFC and Pizza Hut outlets. This division now accounts for 20% of Yum’s sales, and 25% of its profit. Yum plans to open at least 375 new restaurants each year in China over the next few years. China expansion pays off Thanks mainly to the strong growth at the China division, Yum’s sales rose from $7.8 billion in 2002 to $9.6 billion in 2006. Earnings rose from $0.94 a share (total $583 million) in…