YUM CHINA-Here's Why Investors Should Retain Yum China Stock for Now

Core Viewpoint - Yum China Holdings, Inc. (YUMC) has experienced a 10.8% stock price increase over the past three months, outperforming the industry average of 3.6%, driven by unit expansion, menu innovation, and digitalization efforts, despite concerns regarding an uncertain macro environment [1] Group 1: Growth Drivers - The company is focused on aggressive unit growth, having opened 534 net new stores in Q4 2024, bringing the total to 16,395, with KFC and Pizza Hut showing strong performance and quick payback periods of two to three years [2] - Yum China is optimistic about long-term growth in China, targeting underserved areas and enhancing accessibility through customized store formats, aiming for a franchise proportion of 40-50% for KFC and 20-30% for Pizza Hut in the coming years [3] - Menu innovation plays a crucial role, with KFC and Pizza Hut regularly introducing new items that cater to evolving consumer preferences, maintaining transaction growth while broadening the customer base [4] Group 2: Digitalization and Sales - The company has significantly invested in digitization, with digital sales reaching $9.6 billion in 2024, accounting for approximately 90% of total sales, supported by automation and AI to enhance customer experience [5] Group 3: Cost Concerns - Yum China faces high structural costs related to labor and rentals, with total costs and expenses rising to$ 2.44 billion in Q4 2024 from $2.38 billion in the previous year, and anticipates a 5.4% increase in restaurant expenses to$ 9.5 billion in 2025 due to wage inflation [7]