Yum China hit by new lockdowns

Article Excerpt

YUM CHINA HOLDINGS INC. $60 is a buy. The company (New York symbol YUMC; Consumer Sector; Shares outstanding: 420.9 million; Market cap: $25.3 billion; Dividend yield: 0.8%; Takeover Target Rating: Medium; www.yumchina.com) is China’s largest fast-food operator, with over 11,000 outlets, mainly under the KFC and Pizza Hut banners. On November 1, 2016, Yum Brands (New York symbol YUM) spun off Yum China as a separate firm. Investors received one share of Yum China for each Yum Brands share they held. As a result of new COVID-19 lockdowns in China, same-store sales fell about 15% in the month compared with August 2020. However, strong demand for digital ordering and home delivery services will help offset the lower in-store sales. As well, the company plans to open 1,300 new stores in 2021, which is up from its initial goal of 1,000 new stores. Yum China remains a buy. buy…